Purdue lands commitment from 2025 running back Ziaire Stevens

Purdue football added to its 2025 recruiting class on Tuesday afternoon, netting a commitment from three-star running back Ziaire Stevens, who announced his decision via social media.

The Akron, Ohio native was offered by running backs coach Lamar Conard and the Boilermakers on August 31st and took a visit to West Lafayette for Purdue's season opener against Fresno State just a few days later.

Conard came to Purdue from Miami (OH) this off-season, but still has deep ties to Ohio on the recruiting trail and utilized it to add a talented running back to his group in 2025.

Stevens is the third commitment in the class of 2025 for Ryan Walters and company, alongside three-star quarterback Sawyer Anderson and three-star outside linebacker Keylan Abrams.

Stevens, a three-star recruit, held offers from Cincinnati, Boston College, Indiana, UConn, and Pittsburgh prior to his commitment. As a junior at Akron East High School in Ohio, Stevens enjoyed a breakout campaign, rushing for 2,001 yards on a 8.4 yard average with 20 touchdowns.

The newest Boilermaker recruit also stands 5'10" and weighed in at 185 pounds on his visit to West Lafayette in September. The thing that jumps out about Stevens on film is his blazing speed, which is none too surprising as he has been clocked at as fast as 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash as recently as May.

Stevens also has a knack for making defenders miss in open space and despite his home run ability, shows patience and the ability to get tough yards. Akron East also deploys the same base run scheme that the Boilermakers currently use, which will bode well for Stevens when he transitions to the collegiate level.

Heading into 2025, the Boilermakers will have a number of young, intriguing backs in Conard's group. As currently constructed, Devin Mockobee would be a fifth-year senior that season, with current freshmen Mondrell Dean and Christian Womack being redshirt sophomores. 2024 recruit and three-star running back Jaheim Merriweather, who Purdue is very high on, rounds out the scholarship players in the backfield as well.

Stevens will enter the fold when he gets to campus in 2025, potentially adding a home run threat to the already intriguing group.