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We obviously know the first guy today, but the second player is a very promising freshman.
Rondale Moore - So.
New Albany, IN (Louisville Trinity HS)
5’9”, 180 pounds
Wide Receiver
2019 Projection: Most Exciting Player in College Football
What else can be said about Rondale at this point? The man went out and did something no other Big Ten player had ever done before in becoming the first true freshman in conference history to become a consensus All-American. This weekend Desmond Howard picked him to win he Heisman Trophy, something no receiver has done since Howard himself did it nearly 30 years ago.
The number, of course, are still insane: 114 receptions for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns. 213 yards rushing a 2 TDs. An additional 662 kickoff and 82 punt return yards. In his first collegiate game he broke the Purdue single-game all-purpose yardage record that had stood for almost half a century, and he got most of that in one half! He set the single season record as the lone bowl game highlight. He is on pace to set the career mark in just three seasons. His 114 receptions was the second best mark in school history and was the most of any receiver in the country. His yardage mark was the second best in school history.
Will his numbers got down this year because Purdue has so many other good receivers that will get passes and because defenses will concentrate on him, or will they somehow go up because Purdue’s other weapons will need attention? I am excited to find out.
Marvin Grant - Fr.
Detroit, MI (Martin Luther King HS)
6’2”, 205 pounds
Safety
2019 Projection: Contributor at Safety
It has been a while since Purdue has had a big, formidable safety in the defensive backfield, but that is Grant. He has some Stu Schweigert like potential and was a four-star prospect by every recruiting service. His team was 12-2 last year and won the Michigan Division 3 state title.
Grant is a big hitter and a bit of a ball hawk, so the Schweigert comparison seems fitting. He is going to play all over at the back of the defense, and will be a difference maker from day 1.