Purdue(ish) Football: Danny Etling to Patriots

Danny Etling, the 4* headliner Purdue’s 2013 recruiting class, was drafted today in the 7th round by the New England Patriots, joining former Purdue teammate Ja’Whaun Bentley in the land of chowder and baked beans.

Etling came to Purdue with high expectations and appeared to be on the right track after an impressive true freshman campaign. Unfortunately, things fell apart for the strong armed Terre Haute native, as Purdue’s inability to even slow down a pass rush led to Etling mostly just running for his life and throwing the ball only in self defense as a Sophomore. By the end of his Sophomore year, even when Purdue was able to pass block, Etling was understandably dodging imaginary pass rushers.

Etling subsequently transferred to LSU and finished up his career in respectable, if not exactly stellar, fashion for the Bayou Bengals.

The Patriots need extra bodies in the quarterback room, and decided to take a flier on the strong armed prospect who never quite translated his talent into on field results.

I, for one, hope Etling can put it together at the next level, and at least pick up some of that sweet, sweet, back up QB cash. After the beating he took in West Lafayette, he deserves it.