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The last day of double digits features our top returning receiver and a young defensive back.
Gregory Phillips – Sr.
Atlanta, GA (Arabia Mountain HS)
6’, 200 pounds
Wide Receiver
2017 Projection: Starter at Wide Receiver
After a few years of playing in the shadow of DeAngelo Yancey and Cameron Posey Gregory Phillips is now the man. He is Purdue’s most experienced returning receiver with 40 receptions, 465 yards, and 2 TDs. He is coming off of his best season with 17 receptions for 172 yards.
Obviously he needs to have a much bigger year if he is to be Purdue’s top receiver. Those are numbers he would need to pass before the first Big Ten game. Still, he has managed to hold on to a starting spot this long after Jeff Brohm brought in three guys to compete for playing time immediately. He doesn’t have the size to be a traditional dominant outside receiver, but he can still have a good year in this new, receiver-friendly offense.
Mike Little – So.
Newhall, CA (Notre Dame HS)
6’, 195 pounds
Cornerback
2017 Projection: Reserve at Cornerback
Little is entering his third season at Purdue after redshirting in 2015 and he has yet to contribute much. He played in one game last year, making one tackle in the blowout home loss to Penn State. The former 3-star commitment grew up near Los Angeles in Newhall and came to Purdue with some promise, but so far in camp he has not been battling for playing time at corner. As a senior in high school he finished with 41 tackles and five interceptions for his high school.