Purdue Football: Freshmen, Who Got Next?

We all knew Rondale Moore was going to be good.

But did we know he would be THAT good? The freshman phenom was an named to the All-American Team, the first freshman to do so since Adrian Peterson.

Not just the Freshman All-American Team, where there are 22 freshmen. The All-American Team, Freshman to Senior. Not bad for just a 3* player, according to Rivals.

Now we have a top 25 class coming in. Will any of these players make an impact like Rondale?

Likely, no. None will be named to the All-American Team, like previously stated, he is the first freshman to do so since Adrian Peterson, who had an alright NFL career.

These young guys are going to have to play early and often, a few will start, a few will be in rotation and some will redshirt.

Here are my top 5 2019-2020 impact freshmen. I’ve also included three honorable mentions.

1. George Karlaftis - Defensive End, 6’5”, 260 Pounds - George is already running with the first team in spring ball. Coach Holt has said he may be our best defensive player already. Big George may not be an All-American, but do not be surprised when he winds up on the Freshman All-American Team. Prediction: 50 Tackles, 10 TFL, 5 Sacks - Starting Defensive End
2. David Bell - Wide Receiver, 6’2”, 185 Pounds - While he is not on campus yet, the Army-All American will look to make an impact this summer and fall. Bell might come in and be the most talented outside wide receiver on the team. We lose both Zico and Wright, so there are holes to fill on the outside, with the slot being solidified by Rondale. Prediction: 25 Catches, 400 Yards, 4 Touchdowns - Starting Wide Receiver
3. Jalen Graham - Safety, 6’3”, 205 Pounds - Jalen has enrolled early and has been with the ones already as well. He is a big hitting safety and will roll down and smack a crosser or running back in the mouth. He is not afraid of contact and wants to make those big hits. There is video of Jalen picking Elijah off already as well. With Thieneman gone, there is a hole at strong safety with Mosley playing Free Safety. Prediction: 60 Tackles, 4 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 Interception - Starting Strong Safety
4. Marvin Grant - Safety, 6’2”, 190 Pounds - Grant, another safety from the Detroit area is more of a free safety. He and Graham will lock down wide receivers for the next few seasons. Grant does have a pretty good upper classman in front of him with Navon Mosley, it’s always hard to beat out the vet. I fully expect him to be in rotation though. Prediction: 20 Tackles, 4 PBUs, 1 Interception - Rotation at Free Safety
5. Steven Faucheux - Defensive Tackle, 6’4”, 280 Pounds - Steven, a 4* out of Ohio, is huge. He is big, strong and tall. It is hard to make the adjustment to play in the trenches from high school to college, but I believe he and George both could do it. With Neal coming off an ACL tear, we will need depth and I believe he will be in the rotation. Prediction: 15 Tackles. 2 TFL.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Kyle Boldeau
2. Kyle Jornigan
3. Milton Wright

What are your thoughts? Who makes an impact?