88 Days To Purdue Football: Cole Herdman

With 88 days to go before the season starts, Purdue has exactly 88 days to figure out a viable solution at tight end. Purdue has to replace their entire depth chart at tight end from last season, and Cole Herdman could carve himself out a nice little role for the Boilermakers this season.

Cole Herdman - Fr. (RS)

Oakton, VA (Flint High School)

6'4 , 245 pounds

Tight End

2014: Contributor at Tight End

Herdman never left the field as a star player at Flint High School. On the defensive side of the ball he recorded 80 tackles, 3 interceptions, and two sacks his senior year from the linebacker position. He was also used at tight end, and averaged over 10 yards a catch, with 3 touchdowns during his senior campaign. Over his final two seasons at Flint High School, Herdman totaled 24 receptions for 334 yards and 10 touchdowns. If Purdue gets desperate at punter, Cole can do that as well. He averaged 38 yards a punt in high school. When Cole signed with the Boilermakers in the 2014 he had this to say:

"Purdue is looking for a player who can contribute early on, and I feel like I can help the team in both the passing and running game," Herdman said "I'm a physical tight end, who can be a problem for opposing defenses in the passing game and also, not afraid to put my hand in the dirt and be a big part of the running game. I'm preparing in the weight room now so I can contribute as soon as I get on campus."

After a strong  showing in Sping practice, Herdman finds himself second on the depth chart behind Senior Jordan Jurasevich. He will have to put in some solid work in the fall to hold off incoming freshmen Brycen Hopkins and Jess Trussle as well returning players Matt Burke and Carlos Carvajal, but the future looks bright for Herdman. Expect to see him on the field the fall.