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- Eron Mallard announced commitment to Purdue after visiting campus; it was his first Power 4 offer from a Big 10 program.
- Chose Purdue because of relationships with the coaching staff, a pro style offense fit, and strong academic opportunities.
- Recorded six catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the Class 4A title game loss to Creekside.
- Also a standout sprinter: Class 4A state medals, fourth in the 100m (10.72), third in 4x200 relay, personal best 100m 10.62.
June 8, 2026, 5:19 p.m. ET
Benedictine’s Eron Mallard had a breakout junior season for the Cadet football team as the lightning-fast athlete put up big-time numbers as a receiver, while also showing his game-breaking ability while running the ball.
But it took a while for college recruiters to take notice.
Mallard came on strong in the second half of the season to help lead the Cadets to a Region 1-4A title and then on to the Class 4A title game, where they lost a spirited battle in a 42-39 setback against Creekside, where Mallard had six catches for 142 yards and a pair of scores.
Mallard earned All-Greater Savannah first-team honors with 32 receptions for 657 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 20.5 yards per catch on the season. He also ran for 396 yards and four scores, averaging 9.7 yards per carry. He added 371 yards in kick returns. But when the season ended, he hadn’t yet received a scholarship offer.
The offers finally started to roll in for the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder. The first from a Power 4 school came from Purdue, and after visiting the campus in Indiana over the weekend, Mallard announced his commitment to the Big 10 program in a social media post on Monday.
“Not having any offers most definitely motivated me last season,” Mallard said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “I worked really hard and got a lot better and wanted to show the kind of player I was. I chose Purdue because of the relationships I built with the coaching staff there. They run a pro-style offense that fits me well, and everyone made me feel at home there. And it’s a school where I can get a great education too.”
Mallard is also a star sprinter on the Cadet track and field team. He won a pair of medals in the Class 4A State meet as he finished fourth in the 100 meters with a time of 10.72, while taking seventh in the 200 meters in 21.92. He also ran a leg on the Cadet 4×200 meter relay team that finished third as he earned All-Greater Savannah first-team honors in track and field. His personal best in the 100 meters is 10.62, and he runs a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.
“I felt like I got a lot better as a receiver this year because of all the training I did — I’ve been working hard at my craft and it’s paid off,” Mallard said.
His teammates took note of his work ethic and had a lot of respect for Mallard as a player and a person. BC quarterback Stephen Cannon, who is now ready to start his freshman season playing at Texas Tech, sang Mallard’s praises after he caught six passes for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a playoff win over East Forsyth.
“We just simpled it down and started running the plays we’ve been working on in practices since we were freshmen, and everything started working,” Cannon said after the win. “And I’ve got to say, that someone needs to give Eron Mallard a scholarship offer soon — he’s a special player.”
Now Omari Burse is ready to step in as the Cadet starting quarterback in his senior season, and Mallard said his has a close connection with his classmate.
“We’ve been working together for a long time and have developed a good chemistry,” Mallard said. “We’re looking forward to our senior year. The biggest goal is for our team to win the state football championship. Personally, I want to make the All-State team and get 1,000 yards receiving. And in track, I want to win a state title in the 100 meters.
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
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