MORE: QB Spring Preview | EXIT INTERVIEW: Markell Jones

While Purdue endured personnel issues at some positions (Hello, offensive line! Hello, secondary!) the first two seasons of the Jeff Brohm Era, there were none at running back.

The staff had proven and productive options in the backfield the last two seasons in D.J. Knox and Markell Jones. Neither was spectacular, but both were workmanlike running backs who compensated for a lack of top-speed with toughness and grit. Both could move the chains. And now, both are gone as the Boilers turn the page and search for a No. 1 option.

Know this: The running back spot is WIDE open. Pecking order? There really isn’t one. The competition will be interesting … and spring ball doesn’t figure to clear up the picture too much.

WHAT WE KNOW:

Purdue lost a lot at this spot, bidding adieu to proven commodities in D.J. Knox and Markell Jones. The duo combined for 1,420 yards rushing last season on 265 carries with 13 TDs. The diminutive Knox paced the team with 883 yards rushing and eight rushing TDs, averaging 5.6 yards per tote in 2018. He also caught 27 passes for 180 yards and a TD en route to earning honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors from the coaches. Knox leaves campus with 1,853 career rushing yards with 12 TDs and 68 receptions for 507 yards and three scores.

Jones ran for 537 yards in 2018 with five TDs, catching 17 passes for 119 yards and a score. He led the Boilermakers in rushing each of his first three years on campus, leaving West Lafayette with 2,594 yards rushing with 20 TDs along with 96 catches for 627 yards and two scores. Jones leaves school ranked in the top 10 in career rushing yards, rushing attempts and rushing TDs. The Columbus, Ind., native also was an Old Oaken Bucket hero, running for 95 yards and a TD last year (8.6 ypc) and 217 yards in 2017 (7.0 ypc).

Add it all up, and Knox and Jones combined for 4,453 yards rushing and 164 receptions in their careers. That’s a lot of production to replace.

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW:

Questions abound. Purdue has some veterans to sort through this spring. Senior Richie Worship is the most accomplished back returning from a stats standpoint, running 88 times for 390 yards and five TDs in his career with 18 receptions and two TDs. But health is an issue after missing last year with a knee injury suffered in November 2017 that required surgery. He is a 6-foot, 250-pound battering ram who made four starts in 2017 and had 257 yards rushing to go along with 10 catches. It’s believed Worship will be A-OK health-wise for spring drills.

Senior Tario Fuller is back, having rushed 67 times in his career for 325 yards and two TDs to go along with 15 catches. He was an after-thought last season behind Knox and Jones, running 14 times for 34 yards with five catches. The 6-foot, 200-pound Fuller began 2017 as the starter, running for 261 yards and two scores the first three games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. He had 142 yards rushing vs. Ohio and 90 at Missouri.

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Sophomore Alexander Horvath is a bull who saw his role expand as last season progressed, earning meaningful minutes at running back and fullback. The 6-3, 230-pound Horvath is a physical ballcarrier who ran nine times for 42 yards with a TD and made four grabs in 2018. He needs a strong spring to separate from the pack.

Evan Anderson, a 6-1, 200-pound redshirt freshman who was the lone back inked in 2018, probably has the longest way to go in his development among the backs. Alfred Armour is another redshirt freshman to watch. At 6-1, 220 pounds, he is cut more from a fullback mode and can do some good things with the ball in his hands. Keep him on your radar.

Looking for wild cards? Well, they will arrive over the summer when Purdue welcomes freshmen Da’Joun Hewitt (5-11, 190) and King Doerue (6-0, 200). Each is a three-star prospect out of high school, per Rivals.com. And each figures to get a chance to impress.

NAMES TO KNOW THIS SPRING:

1. Richie Worship, senior

2. Tario Fuller, senior

3. Alexander Horvath, sophomore

4. Alfred Armour, redshirt freshman

5. Evan Anderson, redshirt freshman

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