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It is another two player day, so let's get to it.
Austin Larkin - Jr.
University City, Missouri (Notre Dame, City College of San Francisco)
6'3", 252 pounds
Defensive End
2016 Projection: Possible starter at Defensive End
Yes, the last name of Larkin means he is part of baseball royalty. Austin's Father, Michael, played linebacker for four years at Notre Dame. His cousin, Shane Larkin, just finished his third NBA season after a stellar career at Miami where he was named the ACC Player of the Year as only a sophomore. His uncle is the most famous one of all, as Austin is the nephew of baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin.
Austin has been on a bit of a road trip since his college career started. He was originally committed to play at Coastal Carolina before changing his mind and walking on at Notre Dame in 2014. He impressed enough there that it looked like he was going to be a special teams player and played in a few games in 2014. In 2015 he transferred to City College of San Francisco (where Purdue got David Hedelin)and helped them win a mythical National Championship at the JuCo level. He had 38 tackles, 17 for loss, 7 sacks, and a fumble recovery.
We need Austin to be an immediate impact player on the end. No one has had more than four sacks in a single season under Hazell, so if Austin can replicate his JuCo season from last year it will be an immense help.
Lane Beeler - So.
Westpoint, IN (McCutcheon HS)
5'10", 226 pounds
Running Back
2016 Projection: Reserve at running back
Aw yeah! We have a townie fullback! Beeler comes to us from nearby McCutcheon HS, where he served mostly as a blocking fullback for the Mavericks. He is now in year three as a walk-on for Purdue, meaning a special teams role could be in his future. His teams only won 10 games in his four years at McCutcheon, but three of those wins came in the postseason thanks to Beeler.