The former Terrapin turned Toledo Rocket is hoping to hear from Michigan…or MSU.
The Offensive Player of the Year in the Mid-American Conference, Peny Boone, is in the transfer portal. He had a career year as a redshirt junior with the Toledo Rockets, rushing for 1,400 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns. He also ended the season strong, rushing for 494 yards and seven touchdowns in their final four regular season games.
Prior to his time in the MAC, he was with the Maryland Terrapins and compiled 701 rushing yards and five touchdowns across two seasons.
He is familiar with what the Big Ten has to offer, and now it appears he may want to come back to the conference. Speaking with 247Sports’ Allen Trieu , it sure sounds like the Michigan native and former Detroit King High School four-star standout is hoping to come back home.
“(I’m looking for) a team that has a good line and a place that would help me with my career,” Boone said. “I’m really open to any part (of the country) — it would be nice if Michigan or State pops up in the picture.”
Michigan may have a decent need for a running back this portal cycle. Blake Corum will be off to the NFL after the season, and Donovan Edwards could help to the league as well. That would leave the Wolverines with a running back room consisting of Kalel Mullings, Ben Hall, Cole Cabana, and two incoming true freshmen in Jordan Marshall and Micah Ka’apana.
With not a whole lot of experience behind Mullings, Boone would be a quality option for RB2 next season for the Wolverines. He has plenty of playing experience, playing a couple seasons in the Big Ten and then having a monster fourth season at the college level.
Boone is also a very durable running back at 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds. He carried the ball 194 times this season, 116 times in 2022, and 58 times while at Maryland. He played in all 12 games this season and 11 games a season ago. He is a consistent and reliable player when it comes to his availability, so at the very least, Boone would be a high-quality depth piece.
He likely wouldn’t be a star at Michigan like he is at Toledo, but Boone would be a very capable second option for the Wolverines’ 2024 backfield. The Wolverines should at least consider looking into the possibility of adding Boone to their team next season.
Boone will have one year of eligibility remaining wherever he ends up committing.