NFL Draft: Feichter and Holmes get Rookie Camp Invites

Gabe Holmes

Gabe Holmes is a curious case at tight end due to the consistent praise from the coaching staff (mostly from Danny Hope) but limited production on the field.  He will get a chance to showcase his skills for the Oakland Raiders during their rookie mini-camp later this month.  Coach Hope will not be in attendance to boast about his potential.  Gabe will have to prove himself alone.

Holmes started out 2013 with great promise, catching 9 passes in his first two games before being sidelined for the season with a wrist injury.  He had caught 23 passes with 3 touchdowns in the two seasons prior.  He was again held in check during all of 2014 when he recorded just 17 receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

All of that aside, Gabe has all of the physical tools necessary to be a successful tight end- he just can't seem to catch the ball.  Purdue fans far and wide can attest to his disappointing senior year.  It was either consistently dropped balls, broken routes, or overthrown passes.  Holmes is 6'5" and 260 lbs. with a basketball background.  He is allegedly very skilled at going up and grabbing balls that are "uncatchable", but we didn't get to see that very much these past several years at Purdue.  Perhaps that was because he went through a virtual gauntlet of quarterbacks throwing his way, receiving passes from at least seven quarterbacks in his tenure.

Gabe has potential, which is why he was picked up by the Raiders.  He has a future in football, be that with Oakland or somewhere else, but he clearly has the gifts needed to succeed.  Regardless of where he ends up, we are proud of Gabe and everything that he has given to Purdue during his years in West Lafayette.

Good luck Gabe, and congrats on the opportunity!

Landon Feichter

Starting as a walk-on and ending up as a NFL-hopeful, Landon Feichter is the absolute epitome of what it means to be a Boilermaker.  His hard work, ridiculous toughness, and just all-out perseverance are exactly what we love to see from athletes in West Lafayette.

At just 6' tall and 190 lbs, he's slightly undersized as a safety.  Try to tell that to Landon, though, and he would be likely to pick you up and throw you down behind the first down marker.  Feichter was Purdue's defensive MVP in 2014, and with 5 interceptions along with 105 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, it's easy to see why.

Landon Feichter was the best defensive player on a bad defensive team, but let's not hold that against him.  He was an absolute beast throughout his entire career at Purdue, more often than not having to make big play after big play because of the inferior defense he was playing amongst.  His toughness is that of legend - he once broke his leg in a game where he was already playing with two broken hands.

If you're competing for a spot on a team against Landon Feichter, then I feel bad for you.  He's going to out-work you, out-hustle you, and out-tough you.  He's going to do the little things that you might not feel like doing every play.  He's going to break every bone in his body to beat you, and that's what we love about him.  He's a Boilermaker, so deal with it.

Landon gets a rookie mini-camp tryout with the Cleveland Browns later this month.  If you're in the Cleveland area and don't have somebody very powerful and agile protecting you, then I'd seek shelter.  Landon Feichter is a Boilermaker and he'll find a way to make that roster, no matter who is standing in his way.