Destin Coates is a three-star running back in the 2018 college football recruiting class and is committed to the Purdue Boilermakers. He is a name that many have overlooked, but he is ready to prove all of his doubters wrong.
Jeff Brohm has done an excellent job of turning the Purdue football program around. After years of struggling, the Boilermakers now look like a team that could make some noise in the near future. They have hung with both Louisville and Michigan this season and have a lot of young pieces.
Not only has Brohm already changed the culture at Purdue, he has done so without bringing in one of his own recruiting classes. That will change in 2018, as Brohm gets some of the pieces that he thinks will help put the Boilermakers back into Big Ten contention.
Through the first four games of his senior season this year, Coates racked up 662 yards and nine touchdowns on just 52 carries. Those numbers average out to an impressive 12.7 yards per carry.
Blessed to say I've committed to Purdue university ????!! #boilerup pic.twitter.com/dKhnBD7CIm
— Destin Coates (@CoatesDestin) July 25, 2017
If you are a Purdue fan that hasn’t heard of Coates, it is time to do some research. He has big goals for his college career and has the skill to back those goals up.
Evan Massey had the chance to sit down and talk with Coates about many different things in an exclusive interview. Coates was very open and we hope that you enjoy this interview.
Obviously, the first question had to do with his commitment to Purdue and what his deciding factors were in committing to the Boilermakers.
“I committed to Purdue because the whole coaching staff made me feel as if I was at home and they are all down to earth guys. I got very comfortable, very quick. They are always telling me how I need to be ready to come in and play right away.”
For those of you that haven’t seen Coates play, he had a brief breakdown of his game for you.
“I’m fast. I have great vision and I’m very elusive.”
#BoilerUp ??♀️⚫️? pic.twitter.com/ShcZ0KQRyS
— Destin Coates (@CoatesDestin) August 1, 2017
Coates then went on to talk about Brohm and the Purdue coaching staff making it clear that they want him to be ready to play right away as a freshman.
“They just tell me they expect me to come in and be able to play right away.”
Even though Purdue hasn’t been a contender in recent years, Coates has big goals for his career with the Boilermakers.
“I want to lead them to four Big Ten championships and a national championship or two. I also want to win a Heisman Trophy.”
As for his strengths and weaknesses, Coates was very honest about what he thought they were.
“My biggest strengths are my speed and vision and my weakness is pass blocking.”
Coates went on to say that away from football he is “cool, humble, and laid back.”
When asked about where he sees himself in the future, Coates had more big goals for his five-year outlook.
“In five years I see myself in the NFL and I plan to get a degree in communications.”
Finally, closing out the interview, Coates dropped an exciting message for Purdue football fans.
“Get ready for a national championship in 2018! Go Boilermakers!”
Make sure to give Coates a follow on Twitter as he gets set to make the next leap in his football career. His Twitter account is @CoatesDestin. Make sure to follow Evan Massey on Twitter as well at @massey_evan.