With our fearless leader in Chicago for a couple of days, I'll be handling the player countdown today and tomorrow. Today's number features one of the funniest Boilermakers out there. If you don't follow his Twitter account (@carsonwiggs), you should. Last season, he was one of our bright spots the entire season. Then again, that isn't saying much.
Carson Wiggs - Sr.
Hometown: Grand Prairie, TX (South Grand Prairie HS)
Kicker
6', 197 pounds
2011 Projection: Starter at kicker
Carson has been one of the bright spots in recent years. A soon to be four year starter, he took over from Chris Summers in 2008, and hasn't let go of the spot yet. A kicker with a rocket launcher for a right leg, he gives Purdue a chance to score when they get to the opponent 40. Of course, we might need to get there a little more often this year to make this weapon all-powerful. He holds the record for longest field goal in Purdue history at 59 yards, and he also nailed a 67 yarder in the spring game.
Last season, WIggs improved his accuracy to almost 80 percent, which is quite good for a college kicker. Converting on 15 of his 19 field goals and making all of his extra points, Wiggs was one of the most consistent point makers for the team last year. Being a kicker is a fickle position, and Wiggs has managed to avoid any major shortcomings so far in his career.
Carson is also a connoisseur of social media. He has his own fan club on Facebook and his Twitter account is quite funny. Somehow he's not on the Groza watch list, which should be a crime against kickers everywhere. I'm sure that doesn't bother him, but I can't wait to watch him out-kick 90 percent of the players on the actual list.