We're under five weeks to go and today's player is the second in what is becoming a legacy in Purdue athletics. He also has a couple of younger brothers that may head Purdue's way.
Danny Anthrop - So.
Lafayette, Indiana (Lafayette Central Catholic HS)
6', 183 pounds
Wide receiver
2013 Projection: Offensive contributor
It all started with basketball player Dru Anthrop, who joined Matt Painter's squad as a walk-on and earned himself some regular playing time, even a scholarship, before graduating this last spring. His younger brother, Danny, went the football route, however. Danny was a member of class A state power Lafayette Central Catholic, who has now won four straight state championships in football.
Danny was a key member of the first three of those teams. After going 9-2 and losing in the sectional when Danny was a freshman he never lost another game in high school. LCC was a perfect 44-0 and was rarely challenged in Danny's final three seasons. In 2009 they gave up just 10 points in the regular season and only 42 total in 14 games. Their closest game was a 20-0 win over Pioneer in the opening game of the tournament.
The only game LCC won during the streak by a touchdown or less was Danny's senior year, a 21-14 win over a then-undefeated West Lafayette team of which kicker Sam McCartney was a member. Because of that streak, Danny's numbers were impressive. He scored 107 touchdowns (54 rushing, 39 receiving, seven via pun return, four via interception, and three via kickoff). Most of the games were 50or 60 point blowouts decided well before halftime as well. Technically he is a five-time state champion, as he twice won a baseball state championship as a freshman and sophomore and he was fourth in the state in the 100-meter dash as a senior.
Though he comes from a very small school, he was a solid player and earned playing time as a true freshman last year. He appeared mostly on special teams, but had seven carries for 58 yards and a touchdown, 13 tackles, and one catch for a 25-yard touchdown. I list him as an offensive weapon because he can line up in the backfield or at receiver and be effective. Expect him to once again be a special teams ace that can do some special things if he gets the football.