:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46721602/usa-today-8579234.0.jpg)
We have not had two players to profile on the same day in quite some time. If two players share the same number it usually means that one is on offense and one is on defense. That is what we have today.
Michael Mendez - Fr.
Los Fresnos, TX (Los Fresnos HS)
6'4", 282 pounds
Offensive line
2015 Projection: Likely Redshirt
Almost all incoming offensive linemen redshirt, especially when the Boilers return all five starters on the line. That is fine with Mendez, as he was able to enroll this spring, go through spring football, and get a few extra months of conditioning before heading into his redshirt year.
I find that he is an interesting prospect. He comes from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where there are some good teams, but some teams are hesitant to recruit there due to the... sometimes questionable legal status of the residents. MaxPreps lists Los Fresnos as having gone 9-4 last year and 5-2 within their district. That was enough for them to make the state playoffs, where they won game against Edinburg North 42-7 and Del Rio 13-12 before falling in the Region 4 semifinals to Reagan 50-19. The win over Edinburg North was significant because it avenged an earlier loss to the same high school in the regular season.
This could be a true diamond in the rough found by Purdue, and he is clearly a player eager to learn if he enrolled early.
Ryan DeBusk - Jr. (RS)
Hometown: Atascadero, CA (Atascadero)
Defensive End
6'1", 251 pounds
2015 Projection: Deep reserve at defensive end.
If you want to look for a hard worker on the roster, look to Ryan DeBusk. He is a walk-on entering his 4th year in the program that has yet to even sniff the field. He busts his ass every day in practice behind the scenes, but has yet to play a single down in an actual game. Sure, we haven't exactly blown out a ton of teams to give the walk-ons a lot of run, but for a player to be paying his own way from out of state and still be on the roster entering a 4th year is impressive.
Honestly, we need to blow out Indiana State so he can play.