Purdue visit wows 3-star California RB Branden Rankins

The Latest: Class of 2018 three-star running back Branden Rankins picked up his first offer following his freshman season. But despite putting up big numbers in the years since, his offer sheet has yet to grow. He’s hoping that changes this spring and is taking matters into his own hands by visiting schools this offseason. Rivals.com caught up with him at the recent Los Angeles stop of the Rivals 3-Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas to talk recruiting and find out where he thinks his next offer might come from.

In His Words: “I’ve been talking back and forth with Purdue and I really like what’s going on over there. I’m trying to make the see I really want to go there. I went out there last week for their junior day. I thought it was an amazing campus. They had everything that I wanted in a college. The way that they talked reminded my school now.”

On how the relationship started: “They contacted me through twitter and from there we’ve just been talking. I talk to Coach Barclay, the running backs coach there. I think he’s an amazing guy with the way that he’s going to coach this upcoming season. He’s going in head strong and with good attitude to help turn things around there. I like the coaching style that he brings.”

On what he needs to do to get an offer: “They said I need to get a little faster and get quicker because every running back has their hip mark and you need to make sure you can make an opponent miss when you need to. They’re going to be out here for spring ball to see me in person and if I do what I’m supposed to do hopefully they offer.”

Rivals Reaction: It’s clear the visit to Purdue caught Rankins attention and the fact that he traveled all the way to Indians shows just how serious he is about the Boilermakers. Now it will be interesting to see if Purdue repays that with a visit to California this spring or with an offer in the near future.