Prep school back commits
Prep school running back Keith Byars III committed to Purdue this weekend during an official visit.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound back from Boca Raton, Fla., spent this past season at Milford Academy in New York.
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Byars was offered by Purdue Sunday morning and immediately accepted.
"My mind was made up before I even came to campus," he said, "but when I came on this visit I fell in love with the campus right away and fell in love with the coaching staff. It was a no-brainer for me. There was no doubt in mind."
Byars figured Purdue wouldn't have brought him in for an official visit if it didn't plan on offering him, though he said he didn't take anything for granted.
"I kind of expected an offer since I came up on the visit and everything," Byars said, "and I'm happy it worked out that way. I wasn't assuming anything, but I'm glad it worked out.
"I definitely feel some relief. I'm pretty excited about it."
He's the son of former Ohio State great and long-time NFL player Keith Byars, who knows Purdue coach Darrell Hazell through their shared ties to the Buckeye program.
The younger Byars is part of the Boilermaker coaching staff's restocking of their offensive backfield with their 2013 class, which will be signed on Wednesday.
Byars joins committed Keyante Green and already enrolled David Yancey as Purdue's running back recruits.
"(Purdue) likes my running style," said Byars, who missed most of this past season with an ankle injury, "and what I bring to the table that way. They like my mentality, not to die easy. I try not to go down easy. I try to break tackles."
Purdue also hosted an official visit this weekend from Louisville back Dalyn Dawkins, who the Boilermaker coaching staff has made a priority in recent weeks.
Dawkins said Sunday afternoon that he did not commit to Purdue during his visit.
He is expected to choose soon between Purdue, Colorado State and Western Kentucky.
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