We are now only 87 days away from kickoff, or in other words, just long enough for the world's longest interval between the birth of twins.
Shane Mikesky - So. (RS)
Hometown: Zionsville, IN (Zionsville HS)
Wide Receiver
6'4", 208 pounds
2013 Projection: Contributor at Wide Receiver
Day 87 brings us to wide receiver Shane Mikesky, the two sport athlete out of Zionsville, Ind. While I don't want to downplay Mikesky's accolades on the football field, when talking about Mikesky the conversation has to start with his speed on the track. The first hit you get on YouTube for "Shane Mikesky" isn't a football highlight tape, but a video of his 2011 Indiana state championship in the hurdles.
2010 IHSAA Boys Track and Field State Final - 110 Meter Hurdles (via ihsaasports)
In high school, Mikesky was a three-time Indiana state champion in the 110m high hurdles, posting the 28th fastest time by a prep runner in the country and returning in 2011 as the sixth fastest high school 110m hurdler in the nation. Mikesky has continued his track career at Purdue where he finished 15th in the 60-meter hurdles at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in 2012.
All track accolades aside, Mikesky is no slouch when it comes to the football field. Mikesky came to Purdue as the No. 16 player in the state of Indiana. #87 enters his redshirt sophomore season with only two catches to his name but looks to be on the verge of an increase in playing time. With the graduation of Antavian Edison and the impending likelihood that O.J. Ross may not be rejoining the team, reps are up for grabs. Mikesky has the height and the speed, but has he developed the hands and route running needed to complement his freak athleticism? My guess is we see much, much more of Mikesky this year but how much depends on the strides he makes over the summer. Gary Bush, Raheem Mostert, and Dolapo Macarthy all figure to play ahead of him, but expect Mikesky to get a shot to prove himself, as it's tough to leave that kind of speed on the bench.
Mikesky plans on majoring in movement and sports science.