Purdue offers Ohio big back

Parma Heights (Ohio) Valley Forge's Richard Worship is 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds and he rushed for 1,600 yards as a junior. Those numbers have generated college interest and two early offers.

"The first offer was the University of Toledo," Worship said. "Then, the second school that offered was Purdue."

The offer from Purdue just came through for Worship on Thursday, and it was one that caught him by surprise.

"That offer just came out of the blue for me," Worship said. "I actually talked to the whole coaching staff on the phone. I was on the phone with them for probably 25 minutes to a half an hour. My heart was racing and I was sweating a little bit too."

After Worship got over the initial shock from the offer, he discussed Purdue's program and a potential visit with the coaching staff.

"They want me to come down, check out their campus and facilities, watch as much film as I want and see how I would be a perfect fit for their offense," Worship said. "He didn't give me a set date yet, but I'm supposed to keep in contact with him. I told my mother about it and we're just waiting.

"They see me as more of a power back, control the clock and wear a team out type of back. They actually talked about their back now and said I would actually be the opposite because I am a bigger back. They want to develop more of a powerhouse offense that is good running the ball downhill."

The only schools Worship has been able to visit for a junior day this winter is Toledo, where he picked up his first scholarship offer.

"I went to Toledo recently, I want to say last month," Worship said. "At their junior day they gave me a little tour because it was bad weather, but they showed me their facilities, showed me some of their film, talked about their backs now and how I would have a good rotation with them. It was a pretty good visit."

Besides the two schools that have offered, Worship has been hearing from several additional Big Ten programs.

"I have been getting letters from Ohio State - I want to see 10 or 11 letters - and they came down to my school," Worship said. "Michigan sent my coach an email and Michigan State sent two letters."

As a junior, Worship rushed for 1,601 yards and 20 touchdowns on 207 carries. He also caught 10 passes for 85 yards and another score.