Devin Mockobee eyes next phase after abrupt end to Purdue career

An ankle injury handed Purdue running back Devin Mockobee an unceremonious end to his Boilermaker career. For the memories, the big plays and steady presence the ex-walk-on out of Booneville provided over the last four years, a proper send-off was warranted, but Mockobee understands not every story has its fairytale ending. Not even one as unique as his.

“Obviously it’s unfortunate. I mean, you never want to go out that way to finish out your senior season, with an injury four games left. But, I mean, it is what it is at the end of the day, and that’s ball. So you got to take what you get,” Mockobee said on Tuesday.

Mockobee emerged in the 2022 campaign, moving from a fourth-string tailback that nobody knew, to starting in the Big Ten Championship Game against Michigan in a matter of months. Since that breakout redshirt-freshman season, Mockobee has been a model of consistency out of the Boilermaker backfield.

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The fifth-year senior now ends his career as a key figure in Purdue’s program rushing records, including 100-yard rushing games (fourth), rushing yards (fourth), all-purpose yards (seventh) and rushing touchdowns (ninth). Mockobee wound up falling short of the 3,000-yard plateau by just 13 yards, but led Purdue in rushing in four consecutive seasons.

It’s the type of career he would have never dreamed was possible when he got to campus as a walk-on from a small town in southern Indiana five years ago.

“It’s insane to think about. And it’s been, obviously, with my injury and having that kind of end to the road, it’s been a lot of retroflection. It’s been insane what I’ve been able to achieve. You literally couldn’t write it any better for myself, I don’t think. Because, I mean, this was never supposed to be in the cards for me and to be able to achieve and get done what I have. I mean, I’m really proud of myself, and I hold a lot of pride in that to be able to withstand the hardships and actually come through on the other side,” Mockobee said.

As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. That is the reality for Mockobee now that he is on the mend from the injury that ended his collegiate career. The veteran expects to be out of his walking boot next week and then four weeks before he can get back to running again.

Mockobee now has his sights set on making his mark at the next level. The NFL.

“It’s definitely forced me into another phase of my life, obviously, to where I’m kind of having to forget about what I’m doing with collegiate and getting ready, obviously not prepping for games anymore. So now it’s just working for the next phase, and that’s going to be working on training. So right now it’s just working on recovery, getting back on my feet, and then from there, it’s just doing everything that I would for the regular prep if I wasn’t hurt,” Mockobee said.

A more well-rounded game has potentially position Mockobee to earn an opportunity in the pro ranks, as he’s improved as a pass catcher and in pass protection. In addition to his 2,987 rushing yards and 23 scores, Mockobee hauled in 86 catches for 839 yards and produced the best pass blocking grade (56.6) of his career this season.

“That’s going to be number one to try and get drafted for, that is pass blocking. So I mean, it was just constant work. And I mean reps and reps and reps of doing it in practice and over the times by myself. I think I’ve definitely made much bigger leaps from where I was my freshman year to now,” Mockobee said.

Mockobee believes he is reliable and will do whatever is asked of him at the next level, and that is what he thinks will stand out to pro scouts and coaches as he navigates the NFL Draft process in the coming months.

“I think I’m a reliable guy, and I think that I’m a smart guy, and I pick up concepts very well, so I don’t think they’d have to worry about that in any regard. And then just from there, just being able to take your assignment, execute it. I mean, at the end of the day, that’s what ball is about. So I think I do that very well,” Mockobee said.

You won’t find Mockobee on many, if any, draft boards. He will fly under-the-radar for some, but he’s been an underdog before and will aim to replicate the path he forged for himself in West Lafayette moving forward.

More: The 3-2-1: Devin Mockobee appreciation edition | Three Thoughts From The Weekend: Purdue’s puzzle coming together, football uncertainty and more

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