:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17172393/20120901_jla_bd1_516.0.jpg)
Purdue has been deficient at linebacker for several years. It has been a gaping hole in the defense that hasn't been fixed and has had a slew of under-sized or re-purposed players in it. Today's player could eventually be an answer there.
Monroeville, Pennsylvania (Gateway HS)
6'2", 230 pounds
Linebacker
2013 Projection: Contributor at linebacker
Williams came out of his redshirt with a lot of promise going into last season and played in 11 of 13 games as a reserve. He was one of the top reserve linebackers on the roster and is expected to be the top backup behind Sean Robinson on the strongside this coming season.
If Purdue keeps elements of its 3-4 in place Williams appears to be the top candidate to be the fourth linebacker. He finished last season with eight tackles, but four came in the bowl game against Oklahoma State. This is coming from a guy that was the No. 17 outside linebacker prospect in the county in the class of 2011. He was one of the top players coming out of Pennsylvania, so now is the time for him to produce.