Peny Boone is a junior running back from Detroit. He played his high school football at King High School where he and fellow future Rocket Dequan Finn teamed up to win the Michigan High School state championship in 2018. Boone played two seasons at Maryland before transferring to UT. He has rushed for over 100 yards in each of his past five games and ranks fifth in the country in rushing going into Saturday's game at Miami.
 
On the support of his family
My whole family has always supported me. I had a brother and an uncle who were in the league (NFL), Alfonso Boone and Zurlon Tipton. Zurlon showed me the ropes -- how to run the ball, pass blocking and other little things to help me gain yards on the run. I show a lot of love to them.  Both of my parents, they keep me on the same wave and help me keep my head on straight.
 
On the tragic loss of his brother
My brother Zurlon Tipton passed away my freshman year in high school. It was a complete accident.  We were close. I have three brothers who all played football. I always wanted to be around them, almost like I was trying to grow up a little too fast. I'm glad I had brothers who showed me the right way, and that there were other choices than the streets. Where I'm from a lot of guys tend to go to the streets even if they are good ballplayers.
 
On having role models who have made it to the NFL
A guy I call my brother is (former NFL running back) Mike Weber. I learned a lot from him and their whole family. I watched him at Ohio State and when he was at Cass Tech. He showed me a lot, being from the inner city and then going to play at Ohio State. Being on the biggest stage, he taught me things in high school and then everything fell into place.
 
On why he transferred to Toledo
I came here for a better opportunity and to be closer to my family. My son was going to be born soon and we felt that it would be better to be here. Also, DQ and I played together in high school and he found success here so I thought, why can't I? It just all aligned. But I still love those guys and the coaches at Maryland.
 
On what has changed for him as a player since he came to Toledo
I'm definitely more mature now. When I was at Maryland, I was doing some things that I shouldn't have been doing and I kept making the same mistakes. I had to realize that if I wanted different results, I had to do something different. I try to go a little bit harder in the weight room and the film room and actually teach myself. I'm glad I got my head on straight and that I can understand how things work here. Everyone feels like they want to be "that guy" when they first come in. I was a good player but I wasn't understanding some situations or having to wait my turn.
 
On his relationship with the coaches
Me and Coach Candle have always had a great relationship. He's been recruiting me since eighth grade and things fell into place. He's a good coach and just as important we've got good people in the (position) rooms. Everything fell into place and I'm happy to be here.
 
On being a father and keeping things in perspective
I have a boy, Peny Boone Jr. It's good. I appreciate my girlfriend a lot because some days I get yelled at by a coach or I want to do better and I get down on myself, so I appreciate her. Something I had to learn was to leave football in the football facility. Even the other way around, when me and my girlfriend have problems, I have to leave that out of the football facility. Everyone wants to be perfect at everything we do, and my girlfriend brings me back down and helps me further myself in my career. She has helped me be better at understanding that I'm not going to be perfect every time.