Today's featured player is one that I am very excited to see, but I will patiently wait for him. We're currently loaded at linebacker, with more coming in. Will Lucas, Dwayne Beckford, Joe Holland, and Chris Carlino (a player Danny Hope said "you would want him on your side in a bar fight") all have loads of experience. Mike Lee and Joe Gilliam are expected to play as redshirt freshman, with even upperclassman Nnamdi Ezenwa slated to earn some time.
That said, Armstead Williams might be good enough to play immediately.
Armstead Williams - Fr.
Hometown: Monroeville, PA (Gateway HS)
Linebacker
6'3" 210 pounds pounds
2011 Projection: Probable redshirt
I think Williams redshirts this year, but that is not a guarantee. He was one of the top 20 rated outside linebacker prospects coming out of high school and he was a successful tight end with five touchdowns. If you want an edge, at least it appears he can catch the football, so I am thinking interceptions.
He is also big enough that a conversion to rush end could be in his future. He's got good size at 6'3", so if we can pack on some muscle I can see him getting his hand in the dirt and becoming a dominant rush end like Anthony Spencer, Shaun Phillips, and Akin Ayodele.
Finally, Armstead came to Purdue for an education. He is planning on majoring in Engineering, which is far from a typical football major.
Boilermakings Notes:
BrunnerTheBoiler: Football Season Approaches: The Boilermaker Caravan 2011
Jackson Brunner stops by the Boilermaker Caravan.
PluckPersona | Journal and Courier | jconline.com
Jacob Lawson looks ready.
Rivals.com - Harris offers special skill set
More on everyone's favorite target of speculation: Gary Harris