Old National Presents: The 3-2-1—Mockobee lifts others
Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s time for The 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.
Three things learned
1 – Legacy of Mockobee
Lift others as you climb.
That’s something Devin Mockobee has done during a storybook career at Purdue that began as a walk-on under Jeff Brohm way back in 2021.
Mockobee has lifted up the program, teammates, and he lifted up his hometown over the weekend when he donated $10,000 to Boonville Youth Football. That’s where the dream began for No. 45 way back when.
“That fostered my love for football and it’s kind of led me to where I am today,” Mockobee told area sports caster Ayden Crowley.
Who could have envisioned Mockobee’s impact after he eschewed a commitment to Army to come to West Lafayette to pursue an engineering degree?
It was that course of study that kept Mockobee tethered to Purdue in the offseason, when he saw every one of his other noted teammates transfer. Mockobee could have bolted, too. But he stayed despite holding other more lucrative offers.
“My engineering degree is something that I hold very close to me because I put so many years of work into it,” said Mockobee earlier this spring. “A Purdue mechanical engineering degree is a very prestigious degree that I preferred to have. So, that was like 95% of my choice. And then the last 5% is just that I love being here. That’s all I want to do, because I just love Purdue.”
Purdue is fortunate to have Mockobee to call its own.
“He said he used to remember getting to the youth fields early and leaving late after clean up,” Mockobee’s father Conrad said on Facebook. “Saying I’m proud is truly an understatement today. No matter what his future is , no one can take today away.”
MORE: Devin Mockobee’s running start
2 – Recruiting mojo
Purdue has some recruiting mojo for the Class of 2026, already landing pledges from six players. And, it appears poised to add perhaps its biggest commitment yet.
On3 recruiting wonk Steve Wiltfong has logged a Purdue prediction for a four-star defender.
Wiltfong wrote: “After talking to a source with knowledge of the recruitment, I’ve logged an On3 RPM for Purdue to ultimate land Monroe (La.) Ouachita Parish four-star defensive lineman Dylan Berymon.”
Heady stuff.
The On3 Industry ranks Berymon as the nation’s No. 19 defensive lineman and No. 171 prospect overall.
The highest current Purdue 2026 commitment is QB Corin Berry.
MORE: 2026 Purdue commitments
3 – Portal shopping til you drop
The commitment of Central Arkansas DB T.D. Williams was likely the last “major” addition for Purdue in what can only be characterized as a dizzying spring portal window that saw staffers add 28 players. This on top of the 29 signed in the winter (26 of those remain).
Add it all up: That’s 54 portal additions.
The positions that added the most players: Defensive back and d-line, with six apiece. Five offensive linemen were added, along with four wideouts. The only position that didn’t import any players this spring is running back.
Purdue likely will add some dribs and drabs of players between now and the start of camp. But, for all intents and purposes, the heavy portal shopping is finished.
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Two questions
1 – Big Ten passed the SEC?
That’s what Urban Meyer thinks, stating so on a podcast.
“Well, you know what the SEC’s done? It’s raised the level,” Meyer said. “But the Big Ten has passed the SEC at the upper part. If you would have told me that 10 years ago, I would’ve said it’s not even close. Because it’s not.”
He may have a point, as the Big Ten has won the last two national titles (2023 Michigan, 2024 Ohio State). The strength at the top of the Big Ten is impressive, with Oregon, Penn State rubbing shoulders with the Wolverines and Buckeyes. And Illinois is looking good, too.
Still, I think the depth of the SEC trumps the depth of the Big Ten.
2 – What’s going on now?
With classes finished, players have dispersed and gone home for some R&R. They are expected back by June 1. And camp season will be starting up next month, too.
Also on tap: Official visits, with some big ones taking place this coming weekend that will include two 2026 four-star EDGEs: JJ Finch of Indianapolis Warren Central and McHale Blade of Chicago Simeon. On3 ranks Finch the No. 2 player in Indiana in the Class of 2026. Blade is the No. 4 player in Illinois, per On3.
Also due in: 2026 WR Santana Carlos from Hollywood (Fla.) Flanagan, 2026 committed LB Brayden Sweeney from Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central and 2026 OL Cam Miller from Hammond (Ind.) Morton.
One bold statement: USC game will be at night
I’m just guessing. But, it would make sense for TV honchos to move the USC at Purdue game from Saturday, Sept. 13, to Friday, Sept. 12. It would be an ideal Friday night prime time game.
Purude could be off to a 2-0 start (Ball State, Southern Illinois at home) under Barry Odom with a massive brand like USC coming to West Lafayette to attract eyeballs.
The last time–and only time–the Trojans were in Tippecanoe County was 1976, when coach John Robinson and RB Ricky Bell led USC to a 31-13 victory.
MORE: Offensive projected depth chart | Defensive projected depth chart | Special teams projected depth chart | Spring portal additions | Spring portal departures | 2025 Purdue roster
