Former WR Tyrone Tracy set to punctuate career as prolific RB
It began as a promising receiver and will end as a productive running back. The journey traveled by Tyrone Tracy has been interesting.
A sixth-year player, Tracy will bow out as a college player on Saturday, when Purdue plays host to Indiana at noon ET on BTN. He will be one of many seniors recognized before the Boilermakers’ season finale.
“I will definitely soak in all the memories, all the energy that Ross-Ade is gonna bring,” said Tracy. “I’m just gonna go out there and really just try to take my time with it.
“During pregame or when I walk out there, really just soak in every little last moment as I am on the field.”
Tracy began his journey at Iowa in 2018 after starring at Decatur Central High outside of Indianapolis. In Iowa City, he was a wideout. But, he enjoyed mixed results, leaving Iowa City for West Lafayette after the 2021 season having made 66 catches for 871 yards and five TDs.
But Tracy failed to make a big impact in his Boilermaker debut in 2022. However, his fortunes changed when Purdue hired Ryan Walters, who brought in running backs coach Lamar Conard.
Conard moved Tracy to running back last spring, and the move stuck. Tracy has flourished for the No. 4 rushing attack (168.3 ypg) in the Big Ten that has ran for over 300 yards in each of the last two games. The last time Purdue ran for 300 yards in three games in a row? It was 1968.
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The relationship between the two spans nearly a decade, as Conard recruited Tracy while on staff at Illinois State as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. At his next stop, Miami (Ohio), Conard coached Tracy’s brothers, Kenny and Javon.
“Him coming here was a blessing from God,” said Tracy, who is No. 1 in the Big Ten in average rushing yards per game (82.3 ypg) in conference games and whose 6.8 average per carry also is league leading. “I needed somebody who actually knew me, because I’m new at the position. That creates a different type of bond when I’m back there at the running back position.”
Tracy has emerged as part of a strong 1-2 running back punch this season for Purdue, teamming with Devin Mockobee, who leads the way with 769 yards rushing (4.9 ypc). Tracy has 668 (6.6 ypc). He hurt his back last week at Northwestern but is expected to be ready for the Hoosiers.
“We’ve got some really good players in the backfield and you have to give those guys touches,” offensive coordinator Graham Harrell said. “I’ve said it before, our job as coaches is to get our playmakers the football in space. I feel like in the run game we’ve been able to do that the last couple of weeks.”
