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Making an impact as a walk-on freshman is extremely difficult, but not impossible. Alexander Horvath played last season as a redshirt freshman walk-on. We also had other walk-ons make an impact, so let’s meet one of the first walk-ons in our countdown.
Grant East - Fr. (RS)
Indianapolis, IN (Heritage Christian HS)
Long Snapper
5’11”, 215 pounds
2019 Projection: Possible Starter at Long Snapper
There is definitely a spot open here. Ben Makowski graduated after holding down the long snapper’s job for four seasons, so Purdue has a specialist void to fill. Currently, there are three listed long snappers on the roster: Junior Brooks Royal, freshman Hunter MacDonald, and East. All three are walk-ons, so one will win the job.
East played lacrosse at Heritage Christian and had some modest blocking stats here per MaxPreps. He also added 91 tackles, 4 sacks, and a couple of fumble recoveries. I hope you like long snapping highlights though, because you’re going to get long snapping highlights:
East was a participant at the Kohl’s Midwest Showcase, which identifies the top specialists in the country. And yes, they have EVEN MORE LONG SNAPPING HIGHLIGHTS!
As I said above, East enters at a position of need where someone is going to win the job and probably hold it for four years.