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Four year starters on the offensive line are a rare and valuable commodity. That is what we have in today’s player, who also might be the guy most likely to keep Purdue’s run of NFL Drafts with at least one player drafted going.
Kirk Barron - Sr.
Mishawaka, IN (Marian HS, the home of our own Juan Crespo)
6’2”, 300 pounds
Center
2018 Projection: Starting Center
Kirk Barron started the final game of his redshirt freshman year against Indiana and has started every game since. That is a run of 26 consecutive starts and a series of good snap after good snap. Officially, he has snapped the ball to five different quarterbacks: Austin Appleby, David Blough, Aaron Banks, Jared Sparks, and Elijah Sindelar. He took over for Robert Kugler and has been a rock ever since.
Les you think he is just some big fat guy snapping the ball and blocking he is actually quite athletic. First, he can dunk a basketball at 6’2” and 300 pounds:
Hey @BoilerFootball @BoilerBall I’m trying to play center for both of you pic.twitter.com/UTaGAa85gJ
— Kirk Jude Barron II (@KirkBarron73) May 11, 2018
Oh, and he can do this:
As promised: Proof of @KirkBarron73 ’s athleticism. More in upcoming GBI. #Purdue pic.twitter.com/tbH5Y0vBzY
— Stacy Clardie (@StacyClardie) July 1, 2018
So yeah, Purdue has an athletic, experienced center anchoring the offensive line this season. He is in line to be on several national award watch lists and could end up hearing his name called in the NFL Draft next April. That’s a great spot to be.