MORE: King Doerue commitment breakdown

Purdue lost two productive running backs in D.J. Knox and Markell Jones. The program welcomes back some proven vets in Richie Worship, Tario Fuller and Zander Horvath. But there is opportunity for newcomers. And one of those is King Doerue.

Doerue (pronounced Da-ROO) is a 3-star prospect from Tascosa High in the Texas panhandle city of Amarillo which is about 120 miles north of Lubbock. Tascosa is a 6A school, the biggest classification in football-mad Texas, so Doerue excelled vs. good competition. Last season, Tascosa went 11-4 and lost in the Class 6A Division II state semifinals in AT&T Stadium, one game away from the state title contest. Doerue earned his district's co-offensive player of the year honor, running 164 times for 1,356 yards and 21 TDs while catching 16 passes for 351 yards and six scores.

Doerue ran for 2,552 yards and 40 TDs in his high school career. GoldandBlack.com caught up with Doerue, who had offers from schools like Notre Dame, Texas Tech, Arkansas, Nebraska, Texas A&M, TCU, Minnesota and Baylor.

GoldandBlack.com: Why Purdue?

Doerue: From the jump, Purdue was always one of the best fits for me. I had a good relationship with (running backs) Coach (Chris) Barclay and Coach (Jeff) Brohm and the rest of the staff. And I just felt like Purdue was home for me. I felt comfortable at Purdue. And I wanted to go somewhere where I was needed. I felt I could go in and make a big impact.

GoldandBlack.com: How would you describe your style?

Doerue: I am all-purpose. I can catch the ball and I can run. I have size, too. I am real powerful and I have speed.

GoldandBlack.com: When did you start playing football?

Doerue: I have been playing since seventh grade. Before that, I was just playing in my neighborhood and park.

GoldandBlack.com: What is your best memory?

Doerue: One of my favorite games was my first game on varsity when I was a sophomore. That was the game that set me off. I rushed for around 280, 300 yards. And I had like three touchdowns. Nobody was expecting that since it was my first varsity game. It shocked everyone. First game of the season, first varsity game. I was moved up to varsity as a freshman, but it was late in the year and I didn’t play much.

GoldandBlack.com: Is King your given name?

Doerue: Yes. I am not sure if there is a story behind it. But it means something.

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GoldandBlack.com: Do you already have a playbook?

Doerue: Yes. We ran the Wing-T, triple-option in high school, so it’s a process for me. It’s pretty difficult (to learn), but I think I’m getting the hang of it.

GoldandBlack.com: When do you get to Purdue.

Doerue: I think June 12.

GoldandBlack.com: Do you think you'll play this fall?

Doerue: I think I have a great chance if I get the plays down, work hard and do what I have to do to showcase my talents.

GoldandBlack.com: Do you play any other sports?

Doerue: No, I am just getting ready for college, lifting, running, training. I used to play basketball and track but gave it up and just dedicated myself to football.

GoldandBlack.com: How is your lifting?

Doerue: My bench is 335 and my squat is 495

GoldandBlack.com: What is your height and weight?

Doerue: 5-11, 209.

GoldandBlack.com: What number will you wear?

Doerue: I wore 16 in high school except my freshman year I was 22. I think I am going back to 22.

GoldandBlack.com: Who was you fav player?

Doerue: Emmitt Smith, he is my favorite running back of all-time.

GoldandBlack.com: How big is your family?

Doerue: I have four older brothers and two younger sisters. I had a brother play basketball at Wayland Baptist and another brother ran track in college.

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