GoldandBlack.com videos: OC Graham Harrell, C Gus Hartwig, WR Deion Burks talk Illinois
When it comes to early season surprises, none have been bigger than Tyrone Tracy. The sixth-year senior has emerged as perhaps the top running back on the team, usurping the role held by Devin Mockobee.
“Tyrone has been doing some really, really special things,” said Purdue offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Graham Harrell. “And he kind of had a hot hand. And when you have a hot hand, you gotta keep riding it. He’s good with the ball in his hands. He’s a good football player. … I think if you look at the season as a whole, he may be the most consistent and explosive guy we’ve had on the team.”
Tracy’s ascent in a talented backfield that also included Dylan Downing isn’t a total shock. He turned heads in the spring after moving from receiver to running back, his most natural position and the spot he played in high school before becoming a wideout with Iowa, where he played the first four years of his career.
Mockobee leads the team with 216 yards rushing on 53 carries (4.1 ypc) with two TDs, but he has struggled with ball security, fumbling five times this season. That has opened an opportunity for Tracy, who has seized it.
Through four games in 2023, Tracy has rushed for 176 yards, averaging 7.0 yards per carry on 25 totes with four TDs–one in each game. He ran for a career-high 84 yards last week vs. Wisconsin (10.5 ypc). Tracy also has seven catches on the season.
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“He’s a guy that we just gotta keep using and Mockobee, too,” said Harrell. “Mockobee’s best run the other day got called back by holding. But that was a heck of a run he had. He did some good things with the ball in his hands, and then Dylan had a couple of good runs, as well. So, those are all three guys that’ll continue to get carries. Tracy, super proud of the way he’s played so far.”
And Tracy has added value on special teams, running back a kickoff 98 yards for a TD in the opener.
“He’s been a really, really consistent player,” said Harrell. “He prepares the right way. He practices the right way. He does everything the right way. And then he goes out there and shows up on Saturdays. And so it hasn’t been a surprise to any of us as a staff that Tyrone has been really good because he’s prepared to be really good. I think he’s been super consistent in preparation, and he’s been super consistent in all aspects of the game.”
MORE: First look: Illinois | First and 10: Illinois | Three Thoughts From The Weekend: Purdue-Illinois, Zach Edey and more | Purdue’s Ryan Walters seeks first Ross-Ade, Big Ten win vs. familiar foe: Illinois | The 3-2-1: What is Purdue’s offensive identity? | Number Crunching: Week 4
