Well, I have to say that this is a shock. incoming freshman punter Austin McGehee, who was expected to compete as the starting punter from day one after the departure of Cody Webster, announced today he is leaving the program even before fall practice begins:
Austin McGehee cites homesickness as reason for transfer from #Purdue: 'It wasn’t a good fit for me. … I needed to be close to my family.'
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) July 26, 2014
This is bizarre, as he hasn't even been away from home long enough to really be homesick. Here is what he had to say on his personal Twitter:
The respect I have for coach Hazell and his staff will last forever. Purdue holds it's place in my heart, however I have to move forward.
— Austin McGehee (@kickanumba2) July 26, 2014
Also this:
I've just gotta have faith that this is what God has in store for my life and that I can make this step and find happiness again.
— Austin McGehee (@kickanumba2) July 20, 2014
I guess we'll never know the reason, but I do wish him well. This all but hands the starting punter's job to junior Thomas Meadows, who handled duties in the spring and has been practicing to win the job straight up in fall camp. He is the lone player on the entire roster even close to being a punter. Paul Griggs and Ian McDougall are both primarily placekickers and I would also bet that this likely eliminates Meadows from the placekicking race too.