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Yesterday we had the future at punter. Today we have the incumbent that will try to hold off the very talented freshman behind him.
Thomas Meadows - Sr.
Maidens, Virginia (Goochland HS)
6'182 pounds
Kicker/Punter
2015 Projection: Possible starter at punter/kickoff specialist
Meadows came to Purdue in 2012 and has been all over the place. He started as a kickoff specialist in his first two years and was behind Paul Griggs and Sam McCartney at placekicker. Last season he moved into the role as the starting punter after Cody Webster departed. He averaged almost 40 yards per kick and put 15 of 57 punts down inside the 20.
His punt total was a lot, however, as that is nearly five empty drives per game out of the offense. He enters this season with Joe Schopper breathing down his neck to be the starting punter. He has done well, but Schopper might be the better player. We shall see. Meadows did serve as the holder on placekicks last season, including the career long field goals from Griggs.
One very good thing from Meadows is that he has twice been an Academic all-Big Ten selection.