Former Top 100 recruit with SEC, CFP experience joins Purdue football

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WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football's running back situation seemed dire after Jaron Thomas and Jaheim Merriweather entered the transfer portal, coupled with Devin Mockobee and Malachi Thomas exhausting their eligibility.

On Sunday, the Boilermakers helped bolster the position group, adding Jerrick Gibson.

Coming out of IMG Academy in 2024, Gibson was 247Sports' No. 3 running back nationally in his class and its No. 79 rated recruit overall.

Gibson spent the past two seasons at Texas, where as a true freshman in 2024, he played all 15 games for the Longhorns during their run to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Prior to Gibson announcing he'll transfer to Purdue, Antonio Harris was the lone running back on Purdue's roster with college game experience.

Harris' 305 rushing yards were second among Purdue players last season. Now Harris, who already posted on social media he will return to Purdue, is accompanied by Gibson, who averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns while rushing for 529 yards in 19 games at Texas. Gibson has three years of eligibility remaining.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football nabs SEC running back from transfer portal

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