One of Purdue's all-time greatest players wore #40. Mike Alstott remains the picture of toughness to this day as a bruising fullback that was really one of the few bright spots under Jim Colletto. Jeff Zgonina and his long NFL career is the other. It is appropriate then that a fullback is wearing jersey #40 this year.

Derek Jackson - So. (RS)

Hometown: Glan Allen, VA (Deep Run HS)

Fullback

6'2", 223 pounds

2010 Projection: reserve at fullback

Jackson originally came to Purdue as a pretty solid linebacker, but he failed to crack the two deeps in his first two seasons. This past spring he move to fullback, but the emergence of Jared Crank and Dan Dierking at that position have left few minutes. The graduation of Frank Halliburton could open up some playing time for the redshirt sophomore.

Jackson is a computer technology major that is also a pretty good basketball player. In high school he was a member of National Honor Society, therefore giving us another player that understands the value of academics. While in high school he helped Deep Run to a 12-1 record in 2006 and 6-4 record as a senior. Their run in the state playoffs in 2006 lasted three games. His school was nice enough to record his signing day ceremony as well.

Boilermakings Notes:

The Buckeye Battle Cry | Big Ten “Tell All” Games – Part I
The BBC has Purdue at Notre Dame as a tell all game.

Tom Coverdale, Family Fighting Alzheimer's With Charity Auction -- NCAABB FanHouse
Coverdale was a Hoosier, but this touches me because we're the same age and I remember playing him in high school.