Tyrone Tracy's final act at Purdue will be as running back

The choice was Tyrone Tracy’s. At least that’s how he explains his move from receiver to running back this spring.

“Coach Walt actually came to me because he knew I had played running back and receiver, asking me which one I liked more,” said Tracy in reference to a conversation with Boilermaker coach Ryan Walters this winter. “I told him running back, and he said that we were gonna do this for the spring and see how it goes and how I like it.”

So, how is it going, Tyrone?

“I’m liking it so far,” said the sixth-year senior.

That’s good, because Purdue needs help at running back.

Tracy arrived at Purdue prior to the 2022 season, transferring from Iowa back to his home state. But the Indianapolis product failed to impact. He made 28 receptions for 198 yards (7.0 ypc).

The plan also was to deploy Tracy as a running back on occasion, using him as a multi-purpose weapon. But he ran only 17 times for 138 yards (8.1 ypc). And the 6-1, 205-pound Tracy failed to hit pay dirt for the 2022 Big Ten champs.

But, that was then. And this is now. There’s a new coaching staff and Tracy harbors new hope as a full-time running back.

“I’ve been a running back my whole life, so I’m already kind of comfortable,” said Tracy. “But Coach C (running backs coach Lamar Conard) has done a great job of teaching the details and fundamentals of being a complete running back, not just catching the ball but also running the ball, knowing your gaps, knowing defensive schemes and what the defense is doing so it makes it easier.”

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The arrival of Conard further cemented Tracy’s decision to become a running back.

“He came from the University of Miami, Ohio,” said Tracy. “Both of my brothers go there. So, we already knew him. When he came here, it was actually a relief to know who the running back coach was going to be.

“He texted me right when he got the job. From right then, I knew I was going to be a running back just because I know Coach C, he is gonna take care of me. I know he’s gonna take care of me outside of the facility, as well. He’s a father figure while I’m here. Me and Coach C, our relationship is really good. I love him.”

Tracy was a standout running back at Decatur Central High. As a senior, Tracy rushed for 1,412 yards and 13 touchdowns, and added 54 receptions for 1,132 yards and 17 touchdowns en route to being named 2017 Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year.

“I think I’m explosive,” said Tracy. “I think that I have a good change of direction. I have good vision. And when I hit the hole, I’m hitting it quickly, very quickly. I’m not tiptoeing through the hole. But, again, this is a day-by-day thing. Still room to improve. I have a bunch of weaknesses, but I have some strengths, too.”

Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell has liked what he’s seen from a position that is led by Devin Mockobee and Dylan Downing. And Harrell thinks Tracy can augment the spot, which lacks depth.

“I think he’s just a guy that’s really dynamic with the ball in his hands,” said Harrell. “So, getting that guy touches is really valuable for us.”

“He’s well built. So, putting him back there, you feel comfortable. Most guys that have played receiver you can’t put in the backfield just because they probably wouldn’t withstand the banging that goes along with that position. But he’s a guy that has a body that can withstand it and is dynamic with the ball in his hand. He can be powerful. He’s really tough.”

Tracy hopes this position flip works. It’s his last go-around. He spent four seasons at Iowa and is starting his second and final campaign at Purdue. He had his moments as a Hawkeye, making 66 receptions for 871 yards and five touchdowns and running 16 times for 93 yards and two scores from 2019-21 after redshirting in 2018.

But Tracy never became entrenched and got lost in the shuffle. He started 16 of the 38 games he played for the Hawkeyes, including four of the first five in 2021. He finished that season with 15 catches for 106 yards and a TD. Is Tracy bummed he didn’t come to college as a running back?

“I’m not,” he said. “I think everything happens for a reason. I don’t really regret anything that I’ve done. Going to Iowa, that was definitely God’s plan. I went there, I learned tremendous things about being a man, about being professional, how to go about my job.

“Then, receiver, I feel I showed I’m versatile. I can be more than just being a running back. Now they see I can play receiver, I can play running back. I can return the ball. I can block. I can do basically whatever you need me to do on field.”

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