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It is a very busy day for Purdue fans, so let’s meet today’s two players.
Tario Fuller - Fr. (RS)
Sugar Hills, GA (Lanier HS)
6’, 192 pounds
Running Back
2016 Projection: Potential Contributor at Running Back
Tario Fuller has yet to play a down for Purdue, but he has already become a fan favorite because of a selfless act last October:
A mother of three, Megan Shufflebarger isn't new to the "oohing" and "ahhing" heard by her children as they walk down a toy aisle.
When her youngest daughter Kinley scanned the Target shelves ahead of her birthday, she listened to her stocked birthday list -- and apparently, she wasn't the only one.
The 2-year-old stood in front of a row of dolls, she stopped and stared at the last blonde one on the shelf. Before the question "can I?" could leave her mouth, a young man walked over and knelt down next to her.
He asked which one was her favorite. She pointed, "I really lub dis one." The teen chuckled and walked off with the doll.
Disappointed that her doll of choice was now out of sight, she turned to ask her mom where the "dolly" was. Her mother assured her there would be more.
A few minutes later, the young stranger returned to the aisle with the doll.
He took it out of a bag, handed Kinley's mom a receipt and told the little girl to "have a very happy birthday."
So Tario is clearly a good dude. As far as football goes, he could emerge this season as the primary backup to Markell Jones. He rushed for 1,004 yards and 10TDs as a senior in high school and had a fairly good spring. the injury to D.J. Knox means there are carries there to be had for him.
Antonio Blackmon - So. (RS)
Fort Wayne, IN (Bishop Dwenger HS)
6’, 191 pounds
Cornerback
2016 Projection: Possible contributor at cornerback
Blackmon is a walk-on from Ft. Wayne powerhouse Bishop Dwenger. During his senior year Dwenger was state runner up to Markell Jones’s Columbus East HS, as Jones’ team won 28-27 on a late touchdown.
Blackmon has been a spring game star each of the last two seasons and that could pay off with actual playing time this fall. Purdue needs a second corner, and Blackmon has intercepted passes in each of the last two spring games in addition to racking up several tackles.