:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56011271/usa_today_9532466.0.jpg)
Today is another two-player day on our countdown. It is also PUNTER DAY!
Joe Schopper – Jr.
Indianapolis, IN (Cathedral HS)
6’, 210 pounds
Punter
2017 Projection: Starting punter
Joe Schopper has had the starting job at punter almost since day 1 of arriving on campus. He took over for Thomas Meadows early in the 2015 season and has done an admirable job since. In 2015 he averaged 40.2 yards per punt with 20 of them downed inside the 20 yard line. He even had a 69 yard punt vs. Virginia Tech. Last season was more of the same. He averaged 40.7 yards per punt with 24 of his 56 punts downed inside the 20.
With the questions Purdue has on defense it needs all the help it can get. Schopper is a weapon there because he can back opponents up inside the 20. His punts are also often not returnable. Last season the longest return given up was 11 yards, so his hang time is good too. He should be an adequate punter for the next two seasons.