Purdue Football Recruiting: Running Back Offers

Running back is an area of critical need for the Boilermaker’s 2015 recruiting class. This need was further exacerbated by the recent defection Dalyn Dawkins.

Running Back Depth:

Player	Class	Height	Weight
Akeem Hunt	SR	5’9	185
Raheem Mostert	SR	5’11	185
Brandon Cottom	SR	6’2	255
Jonathan Curry	RS SO	6’2	240
Keith Byars II	RS FR	5’10	200
David Yancy	RS FR	5’10	205
Keyante Green	RS FR	5’9	205
Dexter Knox	FR	5’9	200

Purdue, at a minimum, is going to need to replace the three graduating seniors in this recruiting cycle. With this in mind, Purdue has handed out 19 running back offers so far. These offers can be broken up the following categories:

Committed to Other Teams:

Player	State	Height	Weight	Ranking: Scout/Rivals/247	Verbal Commit
Jordan Scarlett	FLA	5’10	200	4* / 4* / 4*	F.A.U.
John Moten	MO	6’0	188	3* / 3* / 3*	Northwestern

Jordan Scarlett: While it’s not surprising that he didn’t sign with Purdue, it is surprising that he signed with F.A.U. over offers from schools like F.S.U. and Miami. It will be interesting to see if F.A.U. can hang on to Scarlett.

John Moten: Northwestern added Morten, one of the top 10 rated players in Missouri, in April. Morten isn’t a huge miss, but he is the type of player that Purdue needs to start closing in order to start climbing the Big 10 ladder.

No Chance:

Player	State	Height	Weight	Ranking: Scout/Rivals/247	Favorite(s)
Jacques Patrick	FL	6’1	220	4* / 5* / 4*	F.S.U. /U.M./ U.F.
Michael Webber	MI	5’10	205	4* / 4* / 4*	M.S.U. / U.M /O.S.U.

Jacques Patrick: The Florida blue bloods will be fighting it out for Patrick. Once teams like F.S.U., Miami, and Florida get involved with a Florida recruit, it’s all over for Purdue.

Michael Webber: Webber has seemingly visited every team in the Big 10 except Purdue. At this point, Webber will probably end up and M.S.U. When a Michigan kid has an offer from Michigan, Michigan St. and O.S.U., Purdue is pretty much out of the running.

Long Shots:

Player	State	Height	Weight	Ranking: Scout/Rivals/247	Favorite(s)
Darrin Hall	OH	6’0	205	4* / 4* / 3*	M.S.U.
T.J. Simmons	FL	5’11	195	3* / 4* / 3*	U.C.L.A. / U.F. / N.D.
Mikell Lands-Davis	GA	5’11	205	3* / 3* / 4*	G. Tech / Clem / U.G.A
Javarius Davis	FL	5’9	175	3* / 3* / 3*	U.N.C. / U.L. / Wisc
James Allen	FL	5’10	180	3* / 3* / 3*	U.Tenn / U. Miami
Nasir Bonner	PA	5’10	180	3* / 3* / 2*	Wisc
Joshua Thomas	GA	5’11	200	3* / 3* / 3*	U. Tenn

Darrin Hall: Hall is a looking more and more like a Michigan St. lock. He has taken several unofficial to M.S.U. I’m not sure there is much Purdue can do to get back into contention, but starting off strong might at least get Hall to take a look.

T.J. Simmons: Simmons has several high profile offers on the table. I could see Florida making a push for him if they don’t hit on some of their higher rated offers. Purdue doesn’t appear to be in the running, and it will probably stay that way.

Mikell Lands-Davis: Lands-Davis has a Clemson and G. Tech offer and is waiting on an offer from U.G.A. It’s going to be hard for Purdue to compete with high profile close to home offers.

Javarius Davis: Davis has numerous high major offers. At this point, he is considered a North Carolina lean. The chances of Purdue getting back into this fight are slim.

James Allen: Allen looks like he is signed, sealed, and delivered to U.T, if U.T. has room for him. If they don’t, his recruiting could open back up, but Purdue is still down the list a ways.

Nasir Bonner: Bonner appears to be heading to Wisconsin. While he has a Wisconsin offer, much like James Allen, I’m not sure how high on the Wisconsin recruiting board Bonner sits. If the Badgers hit on a few bigger targets, Bonner could open back up. However, at this point, put him in the Badgers column.

Joshua Thomas: Thomas plays linebacker and fullback for one of the best high school football programs in Georgia. He is another kid that is thought to a Tennessee lock, but Tennessee is tight on numbers right now after their massive recruiting class last season. Thomas is All Vol for the moment, but that could change depending on the rest of U.T.’s recruiting.

So You’re Saying There’s a Chance:

Player	State	Height	Weight	Ranking: Scout/Rivals/247	Favorite(s)
Ke’Shawn Vaughn	TN	5’10	210	3* / 3* / 3*	U.L. / U.K. / Cal /
Alec Murphy	MO	6’1	220	3* / 3* / 3*	Iowa / Miss St.
Shawn Furlow	NC	5’10	180	3* / 3* / NA	E.C.U.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn: This is the type of player that Purdue needs to be able to attract. He isn’t an elite recruit, but he is solidly in the next tier of player. He has a good offer list, but it isn’t littered with elite programs. He does not currently have an offer from U.T. or Vandy, which should help. Purdue has a shot to at least stay in the conversation with Vaughn.

Alec Murphy: Murphy is another target with a solid, but not insurmountable offer list. He is the type of bruising back that would seem to have a place in Purdue’s offense. Purdue is in the discussion, but it’s going to be a tough sledding. Murphy intends to announce his decision before the start of the 2014 season.

Shawn Furlow: It will be interesting to see where Furlow ends up. Some of the bigger schools on his offer list are either waiting on higher profile players or want to turn him into a defensive back. E.C.U. is thought to be the favorite for this North Carolina prospect, but Purdue might have an outside shot if he is set on staying at running back.

In Contention:

Player	State	Height	Weight	Ranking: Scout/Rivals/247	Favorite(s)
Trai Sharp	NC	5’9	185	3* / 3* / 3*	Duke
Ashton Jackson	OH	6’0	190	2* / 2* / NA	None
Justin Curry	AR	5’11	185	NA / 2* / NA	None

Tario Fuller GA 6'0 19

Trai Sharp: Sharp is coming off an injury shortened junior campaign that may have slowed his recruitment. Purdue was in on Sharp early, and could be in it at the end. Duke looks like his leader at the moment, but their lead doesn’t appear to be insurmountable.

Ashton Jackson: Jackson could be a target that is moved to the favorite category soon. Jackson has a familiar looking offer list, with several M.A.C. teams, Illinois, and Cincinnati having offered. Purdue looks to be in good shape for Jackson.

Justin Curry: Purdue is Curry’s best offer at the moment. However, an offer from O.K. State would probably seal the deal. Curry has 2 brothers currently on the Ok. State roster. I expect Curry to wait it out of an O.K. State offer, but if doesn’t come, Purdue could be in contention.

Favorite:

Player	State	Height	Weight	Ranking: Scout/Rivals/247	Favorite(s)
Markell Jones	IN	5’11	205	3* / 3* / 3*	Purdue
Richard Worship III	OH	6’1	235	NA / 3* / NA	Purdue

Markell Jones: Jones is a kid that should be a Boilermaker. Purdue is currently his only Big 10 offer. If Jones doesn’t commit to Purdue before the season starts, he may be holding out for other offers. He would be a solid pick up for the Boilermakers, and he hopefully commits sooner rather than later.

Richard Worship III: Worship goes to a tiny high school, which may be causing him to be overlooked. His size and strength can’t be disputed, but his level of competition in high school is lacking. Worship has a Cincinnati offer but Purdue looks to be the favorite right now.