Devin Mockobee Reacts to Major Shoutout From Purdue Legend Drew Brees
In this story:
Devin Mockobee heard about the comments made by Purdue legend Drew Brees a few weeks ago. When the senior running back was asked about it following Saturday night's 34-17 win over Southern Illinois, he couldn't help but smile when he talked about it.
Before the start of the 2025 season, Brees spoke with Purdue Boilermakers on SI and was asked about Mockobee's loyalty to the program, even in an era where players transfer at will. The iconic Boilermaker quarterback said that "nobody in the history of the school" has represented Purdue better than Mockobee.
"When you're talking about a legend at Purdue saying something specifically by name, it definitely affected me," Mockobee said with a smile on his face Saturday night. "It's like, man, what have I done here? I'm starting to leave a mark. A lot of pride in that."
Those comments came after Mockobee racked up 126 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries in a win over Southern Illinois. After the performance, the senior climbed to fifth on Purdue's all-time rushing leaderboard.
He still has a ways to go, but Mockobee is chasing the all-time program record, which was set by Mike Alstott back in the mid-1990s.
It's hard to believe a former walk-on player has a chance to challenge one of the all-time Purdue greats for the program's rushing record.
"Here was a guy who walked on and ended up starting his freshman year and earning a scholarship," Brees said in August. "There isn't a guy who represents the Purdue program better in the history of the school than Devin Mockobee."
Brees wants success for Mockobee
When talking about Mockobee's commitment, even when Purdue was at its lowest, Brees spoke highly of the running back's loyalty to the program, as well as the importance of being a student-athlete.
"That's what being a college student-athlete is all about," Brees said. "It's taking pride in everything that you do — the way you do everything is the way you do everything. How you conduct yourself in the locker room with your team as a player, but also as a leader. The way you value that Purdue education — those are the type of guys we want."
Mockobee has experienced some great highs and tremendous lows in West Lafayette. He was the leading rusher for a team that reached the Big Ten Championship Game in 2022. Last year, he was a member of a squad that finished 1-11 and went winless in league play.
Now that he's in his final season at Purdue, Brees is hoping to see Mockobee achieve success, both as part of a team and individually.
"Those are the type of guys you want to win for, and those are the type of guys you want to build a successful program. He deserves to have all the success in the world."
Related stories on Purdue football
PURDUE IN ESPN'S FPI: Purdue is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since the 2021 season. Where do the Boilermakers rank in ESPN's latest FPI standings? CLICK HERE
PURDUE BIG UNDERDOG VS. USC: Purdue may have started the year 2-0, but the Boilermakers are still a massive underdog entering Saturday's Big Ten opener against USC at Ross-Ade Stadium. CLICK HERE
EVERY GAME BIG FOR PURDUE: While Purdue has a "big game" ahead against USC, coach Barry Odom said that every game is important for the Boilermakers. CLICK HERE
Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.
Follow SchutteDustin