Boilers Hold First April Practice on Thursday

Interviews: Coach Ford | Antonio Harris | Fame Ijeboi

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Football opened its April slate of the spring season with a Thursday morning practice and less than 10 days remaining until the 2026 Spring Showcase (Saturday, April 11 at noon).

Purdue's running backs room looks for a new leader for the first time since 2022 when Devin Mockobee took the reins and never looked back, going down as one of the greatest running backs in Purdue history. 

The room will be led by Cornell Ford this season after he served as Purdue's wide receivers coach in 2025. A versatile coach who has worked with nearly every position throughout his career, offensively and defensively, Ford also serves as assistant head coach under Barry Odom.

"I know what he is looking for from a defensive perspective, and I know what he’s looking for from a team perspective," said Ford. "My role here is to continue to work with all these other coaches, some of the young guys, and get them all on the same page that he’s looking for."

An intriguing room for the Boilermakers with a new look features three transfer portal additions, two returners and one true freshman. Purdue was aggressive in the portal market, grabbing Jerrick Gibson from Texas, Fame Ijeboi from Minnesota and Travis Terrell Jr. from Jackson State. 

The trio, while still young, all come to West Lafayette with valuable experience and versatility. Gibson appeared in 19 games, with two starts, and totaled 529 rushing yards for the Longhorns. Ijeboi was Minnesota's No. 2 back last season and totaled 97 rushes for 441 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 12 receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. Terrell Jr. is a former Honorable Mention AP FCS All-American who totaled over 1,200 yards of offense in two seasons. 

"That’s what you want in a room," said Ijeboi. "The only way you can get better is competing with each other. We’re a brotherhood, and no one takes it personal. We compete and help each other. I really like it, and it gets me better every day."

Also battling for playing time after a strong finish to the season last year, Antonio Harris is Purdue's only returner with game experience. He filled in for an injured Mockobee at the end of the 2025 season and started the final two games. He enters his junior season after totaling 69 rushes for 305 yards and two touchdowns as well as 17 receptions for 137 yards last season.

"I’ve been around for a little bit, which is crazy to say because a couple years ago, I was just coming in," said Harris. "I feel like my leadership role has grown, as well as helping the younger guys kind of figure out what works for them."

Purdue looks to finish the spring season strong with just nine days remaining until the Spring Showcase, which takes place at Ross-Ade Stadium and is open to the public. Admission is free.