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Coach Brohm is bringing in a fairly large offensive line class. A position group that always needs love in recruiting. There are 5 spots, a lot of injuries occur there and depth at this position is the most important on the field - As it can get thin really, really quick. For example, by the end of the season we had a walk on starting for us, while he was solid, that is not ideal.
Coach Brohm is trying to fix all of this now. He is bringing some pure athletes to play offensive line. Right now, a few are thin and tall, but they can move, get up to the second level and pass block. They all need to put some muscle on to be college offensive linemen though, with the exception of a couple.
Charles Allen - 6’4”, 305 Pounds, Louisville, KY, 3*
Other Offers: Eastern Kentucky, Austin Peay, Miami (OH), Western Kentucky
Charles committed to us early, I think that may be why he doesn’t have big offers. Charles is a very good offensive lineman. He could project at either tackle of guard, I see him lining up as a guard though. He could be someone that is in the rotation early on in his career as he has a college ready body. Coach Brohm went and plucked him from our newest pipeline, Kentucky.
Will Bramel - 6’6”, 270 Pounds, Danville, KY, 3*
Other Offers: Bowling Green, Marshall, Toledo, Eastern Michigan
Will is a true offensive tackle. His size and frame second that notion. At 6’6”, 270 pounds he can move pretty well. I think a year in a college weight room will benefit him tremendously though. He needs to get stronger to be a contributor in the Big Ten. Good news, he has the frame to put on another 30 pounds of muscle and be really good for us. He was also taken from our newest pipeline state, Kentucky.
Eric Miller - 6’6”, 265 Pounds, Mason, OH, 3*
Other Offers: Army, App. State, Central Michigan, Western Kentucky, Ball State
Eric Miller is very similar to Bramel. He is tall and quite honestly thin right now. He will need a year in the weight room before he is a big contributor. He has amazing feet and can pass or run block to the second level though. He was another early get for this class.
Jimmy McKenna - 6’5”, 265 Pounds, Avon, OH, 3*
Other Offers: Illinois, IU, Michigan State, Minnesota, NC State, Kentucky, West Virginia, Wake Forest, Rutgers
I believe that McKenna is closer to 275 or 280 now from what I have heard, but recruiting pages list him at 265. We are in need of a starting offensive tackle, this could be it. McKenna has a mean streak and is very talented. While being so tall, he projects as a tackle, but he is quite the run blocker for his height. Look for him to be in the mix this summer.
This offensive line class has to be good for us. While we return 4 starters, 2 of the four are in their last year with Shane Evans and Kirk Barron entering their senior years. IF we can hit a home run on three of these four guys becoming starters at some point, then it was a great OL class.
I think all four will contribute during their career at Purdue. Welcome, Boiler Up!