As we edge ourselves ever closer to the start of the 2012 Purdue Football season, we at Hammer & Rails are beginning to uncover a clear picture of the starting rotations and depth chart for the Boilermaker gridiron squad. As seen previously, we have already successfully mapped an image of the starting defensive front for the fall. Kawann Short, Ryan Russell and Bruce Gaston are obvious locks to start at their respective spots. And between Robert Maci, Eric Mebane and even Jalani Phillips, the fourth and final starting position on the D-Line will be filled by a returning contributor.
Now as we switch our focus towards mapping the starting O-Line unit for this upcoming season, we yet again have already profiled a few of the guys who are locks with said unit. According to more reports from summer practices, guys like Rick Schmeig, Trevor Foy and Peters Drey are all set to start at Center, Left Guard and Right Tackle, respectively, in 2012.
And since today marks 64 days in the countdown, we look at a player who hopes to breakout this year as another noble name within that 2012 starting O-Line squad. Let me introduce, #64 for Purdue, Offensive Tackle Kevin Pamphile.
Kevin Pamphile - Jr. (RS)
Hometown: Miami, FL (Miami Central HS)
Offensive Tackle
6'5" 280 pounds
2012 Projection: Possible starter at Left Tackle, Possible contributor at Right Tackle
Pamphile is yet another Danny Hope sponsored Tight End/Defensive Lineman-turned-Offensive Lineman. After a great high school career at Miami, FL Central High, where he played DT, he redshirted his freshman season in 2009 and then saw limited time on the D-Line in his first eligible year of college ball in 2010.
Then, last summer Kevin made the big 'ole Texas Switcheroo onto the other side of the trenches. As a newly dubbed Offensive Lineman in 2011, Pamphile had to change his jersey number from 95 to 64. He also made his mark as a solid contributor at multiple positions on the offensive front.
Now in his redshirt junior season, Kevin looks to finally earn a starting spot for the Boilermakers. But, he will certainly have his work cut out for him. According to a JC Online article published last weekend, Danny Hope claims that Trevor Foy is a lock for the Right Tackle spot and Pamphile will line up at Left Tackle. Meanwhile Justin Kitchens is due to scratch and claw at the heels of both Foy and Pamphile to earn his right to either the Left or Right Tackle starting positions.
It situation at offensive tackle might seem a bit intense this coming fall, but one thing should keep up cool and collected. Whatever airheaded interesting plans Coach Hope has for the Purdue offensive line, specifically the tackle positions, Kevin Pamphile is expected to play a large role on the O-Line and contribute his talents towards great successes for the Boiler offense in 2012.