Both of today's featured players are unlikely to play much this year. Skyler Titus is at the bottom of the depth chart at quarterback, and as a walk-on will likely run the Scout Team for years to come. Nnamdi Ezenwa is a sophomore linebacker that is also buried on the depth chart, but may find a way to the field at Special Teams.
Nnamdi Ezenwa - So. (RS)
Hometown: Acworth, GA (North Cobb HS)
Linebacker
6'2", 222 pounds
2010 Projection: Reserve at linebacker
Ezenwa is certainly built like a Big Ten linebacker. He comes to us from Georgia where he was a two-time Cobb County Defensive Player of the Year and his team's MVP as a senior. So far in his Purdue career he has played in one game, making it in as a reserve last season against Michigan State. He has dual citizenship in both Mexico and Nigeria, which I am sure tears his family apart when it comes to the World Cup.
Apparently Nnamdi Ezenwa is a very popular name in Nigeria, like Steve Smith or something. I found a decent high school basketball player with that name from the El Paso area, as well as a British dude. In high school he was part of a team that was #1 in Georgia for five weeks and even reached the USA Today top 25 at one point. Teammates Matt Roark and Matt Britain received Division scholarships to Ohio and Kentucky, respectively.
Skyler Titus - Fr. (RS)
Hometown: Nappanee, IN (NorthWood HS)
Quarterback
6'2", 228 pounds
2010 Projection: Reserve at Quarterback.
Titus is a kid that is a hard worker, but may never get on the field on game day except in the case of a huge blowout. He was a four year player at NorthWood high in northern Indiana while also being all-conference three times in basketball. When he was a freshman NorthWood won the class 3A State championship. That was a shocking event as NorthWood Was only 3-6 before the state tournament, but got hot at the right time to win the title. Titus, who started at quarterback as a freshman, threw a 10-yard touchdown pass just before halftime for the game's only score in a 7-0 win over Chatard. He was only the second freshman quarterback in Indiana history to win a state championship. The first was IU's Nick Zachery, who did it the day before.
As an interesting side note in that game, Titus beat a future teammate. Joe Holland was a junior safety and running back for Chatard that year. The Trojans had never lost a state championship game before that one. Titus' coach even noted his toughness back then. Maybe that toughness will pay off some day with some playing time.
Boilermakings Notes after the Jump:
Best opening weekend games - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN
ESPN calls Purdue-Notre Dame one of the best opening weekend games.
IU-Notre Dame, Purdue-Butler to play in 1st Crossroads Classic basketball doubleheader | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
Official details on the Crossroads Classic. I think this is a wonderful idea, and if it doesn't sell out Conseco Fieldhosue I'll be shocked. Also, I find it funny that Notre Dame's "National Brand" is now the least important of the teams here.
Keady To Receive Lapchick Character Award
Gene Keady receives an award for high character.
GoldandBlack.com - Marve, Allen stand out in scrimmage; notes
A 3-4 defense you say? I am intrigued!
Here are today's practice updates: