51 Days To Purdue Football: Justin Kitchens

The real job got in the way yesterday, preventing me form finishing my Illinois preview. Also, I had a long phone conversation last night concerning tomorrow's Profile In Badassery, which is probably one of the best things I have ever had the honor of writing.

In the meantime, we continue the countdown to Purdue football with another player that has switched from defense to offensive in offensive tackle Justin Kitchens.

Justin Kitchens - So.. (RS)

Hometown: Warner Robins, GA (Houston County HS)

Offensive Tackle

6'4", 271

2011: Backup at Offensive Tackle

A year ago at this time Kitchens was coming off of his redshirt, wearing #91, and he was expected to battle for the open spot on the defensive line left by Mike Neal. His first season saw him play in eight games, racking up seven tackles with a sack and a half. Others moved ahead of him, and it was decided that he was needed more on the offensive side of the ball with Eric McDaniel. Both made the switch before the spring. Kitchens enters the fall #2 at right tackle behind another converted defensive lineman in Nick Mondek.

Mondek has 32 pounds on Kitchens, so it is possible that the coaching staff will ask him to put on more weight. Kitchens will likely be playing this year to replace Mondek once he graduates. Kitchens comes from Warner Robins, GA, where he was a two-star athlete recruit according to Rivals. Mississippi and East Carolina showed him interested, but he was largely unheralded after making 55 tackles and five sacks as senior. this will be his first season solely offense, but that is his future from now on.