Devin Mockobee chose Purdue over Navy. Now he’s the Boilermakers’ leading rusher.

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Devin Mockobee was sold on attending Navy. He loved its constant focus on family and discipline. Plus, on the field, he knew Navy’s offense relied heavily on the backfield which would give him ample playing time. Then, he received a call from an Indiana number.

Mockobee picked up the phone. He was with his mother and sister, Hallie, on vacation two weeks before he was scheduled to leave for Navy.

“When he comes back he says it was from Purdue,” Hallie said.

Purdue offered Mockobee a chance to walk on and he took it. He had always wanted to be a Boilermaker as West Lafayette was only about three hours and 40 minutes away from his hometown of Boonville, Indiana. After seeing no action with Purdue his freshman season, Mockobee emerged as the squad’s lead back in 2022, tallying a team-best 968 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Two years removed from opting out of a full scholarship with Navy, Mockobee is living out his childhood dream.

When Mockobee entered high school, his father, Conrad, developed “the plan.” It centered around building up his frame for football but also touched on elevating Mockobee’s speed in basketball and track. Mockobee was put on a strict diet and workout routine.

As Mockobee continued to increase his strength and weight, he did anything to see playing time. In high school, he served as the second-string running back but also played special teams, secondary and slot receiver. During his sophomore year, Mockobee became the starting corner. The following season, when the starting running back left for college, Mockobee took over as the team’s leading rusher.

Despite growing from 141 to 200 pounds by his senior season, the COVID-19 pandemic limited Mockobee’s options at the collegiate level. A lack of exposure translated to less recognition from Power Five schools.

“If he played at one of the big megaschools in Indianapolis, he would have had many Power Five offers,” said Darin Ward, Mockobee’s high school coach. “He was the best running back in Indianapolis that year.”

On the track, Mockobee enjoyed a record setting season. In the Indiana state championships, he won the long jump and finished as runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles. “Devin carved a piece of history out at track state and people noticed,” said Sam Schnur, Mockobee’s track coach at Boonville.

Mockobee arrived at Purdue knowing it couldn’t offer him a scholarship like Navy did. Similar to the start of his high school career, he had to earn every repetition at running back, which eventually led to a redshirt freshman season. The following year, he opened as fourth option on the Boilermakers’ depth chart.

During Purdue’s Week 5 matchup against Minnesota, Mockobee experienced his big break. With under four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Mockobee exploded for a 68-yard run that ended just short of the goal line. The Boilermakers gave it back to him on the ensuing play for a game-winning touchdown.

“That was probably the best moment being a parent,” Conrad said.

In 2022, Mockobee went on to break multiple freshmen records, finishing the season with four 100-yard games.

Though Mockobee excelled when given the opportunity, his future quickly grew uncertain that offseason. Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm left for Louisville and took running back coach Chris Barclay with him.

On Dec. 13, 2022, a week after Brohm’s departure, Purdue hired former Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters as its head coach. Walters’ first order of business was to award Mockobee with a full-ride.

“(Mockobee) may be one of the greatest stories in college football the last few years of how he became the starting running back at Purdue,” Ward said. “He bet on himself and won.”