DALLAS – Due to his positive impact both on and off the field, Purdue running back Devin Mockobee has been named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year. Mockobee was selected as one of 20 semifinalists who have all demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
Mockobee is no stranger to being recognized for his contributions on and off the field, having also earned spots on the Wuerffel Trophy and AFCA Good Works Team Watch Lists.
From walk-on to phenom, Mockobee will finish his career as one of the best running backs in Purdue history. He proved his leadership and loyalty to Purdue by not entering the transfer portal after last season, instead focusing on completing his mechanical engineering technology degree. As a senior returner that led Purdue in rushing each of the past three seasons, becoming just the ninth running back (since 1946) to accomplish that feat, it was no surprise that Mockobee was selected as a team captain by his teammates prior to the start of the 2025 campaign.
Mockobee has continued to climb the charts in the Purdue record book. He is currently ranked in the program Top 10 in several career categories: 100-yard rushing games (4th), rushing yards (4th), rushing touchdowns (9th) and all-purpose yards (10th). Mockobee is 132 yards away from becoming the fourth Boilermaker in program history to rush for 3,000 yards.
This season, Mockobee has led the rushing attack with 402 yards and four touchdowns. All four of his rushing touchdowns have come from taking a direct snap before rumbling into the end zone. Against Southern Illinois, he carried the ball 32 times for 126 yards and his first career multi-touchdown game. Two weeks later, Mockobee threw his first pass on a trick play to quarterback Ryan Browne. The play worked to perfection as Mockobee found Browne out in the flat for an easy touchdown.