In an era of coaches, players and personnel always looking to what is “next”, Devin Mockobee was a unicorn.
Five years at one university in the climate of what college football currently is, just is no longer the norm.
Advertisement
So, Thank you, Devin Mockobee, for being you, for being a Boilermaker.
In his five years, Mockobee worked his way from a little know walk-on to a sure fire starter at Purdue. He stayed, through three coaches. He started with Jeff Brohm, that era seems so far removed now from where we currently are.
He then was put on scholarship by Ryan Walters at his first team meeting, a feel good story that gives me warmth to this day.
Then, he stuck around for one more coaching change, trusting Barry Odom as his final year in the old gold and black.
This season did not go as planned, for Mockobee, for the team or for Purdue as a whole. But, in the end it was Devin Mockobee who walked out of the tunnel last when the Seniors were recognized, crying, as he took the field as a collegiate football player, in front of a fan base that loves him.
In the end, stats probably do not matter to Devin Mockobee. He goes down as one of the leading all time rushers in Purdue’s history.
Advertisement
In 4 years of playing, he had 2,987 yards rushing, 23 touchdowns, 86 receptions for 839 yards and an additional three touchdowns.
Thank you doesn’t say enough to what a throwback college player means to a community these days.
I remember as a kid, a teenager and into my twenties, memorizing the roster, because these were the guys that would spend the next four to five years here.
Now, that simply is just not the case. But, when walking around Ross Ade Stadium, and the tailgating areas, there was one jersey that was worn more than any of the others.
45.
Loyalty, fortitude and determination go a long way in this community.
Advertisement
Cheers to a great career, Mock.
