Fall Camp Report - August 11

Interviews: Coach Conard | Antonio Harris | Malachi Thomas

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Football began its third week of fall camp on Monday morning (Aug. 11).

The Boilermakers' running back room, coached by Purdue alum Lamar Conard, is headlined by Devin Mockobee who is ninth in career program history with 2,466 rushing yards. The group of seven backs features four returners and has three newcomers, led by transfer Malachi Thomas from Virginia Tech.

“If you’re in the room, I’m going to coach you to play,” said Conard. “As much as he [Mockobee] wants the ball, he also wants the next one in to have the same urgency, passion, fire and desire. He has galvanized these young men to take the baton.”

Antonio Harris, one of the four returners, prepares for an expanded role this season after he appeared in seven games during his true freshman season in 2024.

“The game is slowing down for me in my second year," said Harris. "I’m able to read defenses and be more in depth with the playbook. My knowledge of the game has really improved.”

Thomas was a productive offensive addition through the transfer portal after rushing for 1,132 yards at Virginia Tech. He carries the heaviest frame in the running back room this season at 220 pounds.

"I bring more weight to the room and more of a downhill feel," said Thomas. "I'm a north and south kind of guy that's a physical back. That's what I feel like I add into our running back room."

The Boilermakers return to the practice field on Tuesday (Aug. 12).