Hammer and Rails - 2016 Purdue Football PreviewPurdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2016-08-26T13:55:22-04:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/stream/121071212016-08-26T13:55:22-04:002016-08-26T13:55:22-04:00H&R Purdue Football Season Preview Roundtable
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Minnesota at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EKlrK9aiTXBYkzOTXKaLF2D9InM=/0x0:4979x3319/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50539327/usa-today-8852360.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The staff of Hammer & Rails weighs in on the coming season. </p> <p id="Y7lfro">Regardless of the outlook, I am still excited for football season. Next Saturday I will be sitting in Ross-Ade Stadium with fresh hope and anticipation. Maybe we’ll be surprised this year. Who knows. Those of us left will still go to games and hope to be entertained for a fall afternoon. There is nothing wrong with that. </p>
<p id="mgbnMN">Since we have just over a week to go I thought I would do a quick roundtable of what the staff is feeling as we head into the new season. </p>
<p id="oDPNri"><strong>Who is your offensive MVP this season?</strong></p>
<p id="NJe0Mm"><strong>Jumboheroes: </strong>I hope and pray that he stays healthy and Markell Jones wins this. He's probably the most talented player Purdue has on the offensive side of the ball. The offensive line could be trouble and would be the only reason I think he wouldn't win this one. </p>
<p id="p7p7yt"><strong>Jack Walker: </strong>Markell Jones</p>
<p id="B4hiY1"><strong>The Legend: </strong>Markell Jones</p>
<p id="Tba3eu"><strong>T-Mill: </strong>I am in agreement, it has to be Jones. I think he tops 1,000 yards and 10 TDs easily (at least I hope so).</p>
<p id="GGV2GV"><strong>Casey: </strong>You guys are silly. It’s Blough. It will always be Blough.</p>
<p id="XhMUkf"><strong>Who is your defensive MVP?</strong></p>
<p id="MznFGM"><strong>Jumboheroes: </strong>Ja'Whaun Bentley is the obvious choice to me. Linebacker has actually become a strength for this Purdue football team which isn't a sentence I thought I was going to say anytime soon. </p>
<p id="DmLjV5"><strong>Jack Walker: </strong>Jake Replogle</p>
<p id="UH5E2W"><strong>The Legend: </strong>Ja’Whaun Bentley</p>
<p id="aQWS6V"><strong>T-Mill: </strong>Bentley.<strong> </strong>He is absolutely critical in the middle of the defense to stopping the run. Last year’s stats show his value. He finished 7<sup>th</sup> on the team in tackles AND HE DIDN”T EVEN PLAY IN SEVEN GAMES! He was also third in tackles for loss. </p>
<p id="eou7QL"><strong>Casey: </strong>Replogle continues the trend of havoc on the defensive line.</p>
<p id="ZyyCzF"><strong>How many wins and in what scenario does Hazell keep his job?</strong></p>
<p id="um4mOx"><strong>Jumboheroes: </strong>It's tough to know what can keep him in his job after this year. With a new AD coming in there's no idea what could happen. If the new AD wants to let things play out I say 6 wins and a bowl appearance get Hazell another year. Anything short of that and I think he's gone. It could be though that the new AD isn't satisfied at all, Hazell wins 6 games, and he gets canned anyway. The new AD is just such a wildcard right now. </p>
<p id="bx5ZWL"><strong>Jack Walker: </strong>5 wins. For Hazell to keep his job - 6 wins and beat IU.</p>
<p id="4oRarR"><strong>The Legend: </strong>At 6 wins Haze keeps his job if a slam dunk isn't available and gettable. At 5 he keeps his job if all games are close and there is no viable alternative available. Under 5 he's gone for sure. Over 6 he stays for sure.</p>
<p id="Rp0vsi"><strong>T-Mill: </strong>At least the nightmare scenario of no new AD and Burke punting is off the table. I like to think Mike Bobinski is going to want to see improvement, but is five wins enough? Is four but several close losses? I think Hazell needs to get at least 6 against this weak schedule. </p>
<p id="vaE8QR"><strong>Casey: </strong>4-5 wins. With a set of new coordinators, there will be enough to talk yourself into any kind of progress. They’ve been doing better on the recruiting trail of late, and Drew says this a lot, it’s death for a year or two to change coaches. It’s not what a lot of people want to here, but Hazel will be here next year at this time, too.</p>
<p id="TzhtZd"><strong>You get to pick one surprising upset Purdue springs this year. What game is it?</strong></p>
<p id="LwtwCv"><strong>Jumboheroes: </strong>I think Purdue upsetting Iowa isn't out of the question. Iowa is a good team but isn't the great team they are being portrayed as. I think they will be vulnerable this entire season and could overlook lowly old Purdue. </p>
<p id="uskQ4u"><strong>Jack Walker: </strong>Northwestern</p>
<p id="CWfKfh"><strong>The Legend: </strong>Purdue beats Iowa</p>
<p id="tUyYZB"><strong>T-Mill: </strong>Penn State. They have a lousy one-dimensional offense and are absolutely ripe for an upset. It feels like last year’s Nebraska game. </p>
<p id="FvBVM4"><strong>Casey: </strong>Is IU an upset? At this point it probably has to be. We’ll down the Hoosiers, finally.</p>
<p id="cBd7qv"><strong>What is the most important game of the season? (Think of how things quickly turned after the Marshall loss.)</strong></p>
<p id="RN8xaE"><strong>Jumboheroes: </strong>I think the Cincinnati game has huge implications for this team. I went to the game at Cincinnati where it was roughly 200 degrees (Juan can fact check me here but I'm pretty sure that's accurate) and we were all so full of hope. Then we walked into that nightmare of a stadium and things went downhill so fast it was almost scary. If Purdue can actually compete and perhaps even beat Cincinnati this year it could give fans and the team hope that something better actually is around that proverbial corner. </p>
<p id="ipDY5Q"><strong>Jack Walker: </strong>Cincinnati - if we can beat a good non-conference team, there is hope for a marginally good season and more than one Big Ten win. If we lose, especially in a landslide, dump the Kool-aid. </p>
<p id="i6cFd4"><strong>The Legend: </strong>Cincinnati</p>
<p id="XMkb6p"><strong>T-Mill: </strong>it has to be Cincy. They are the toughest team in the first five games. Beat them and suddenly we might have a real, live football team against that can get on a bit of a roll. If they get another 42-7 blowout win it is over. </p>
<p id="6V0jTJ"><strong>Casey: </strong>IU, for fuck’s sake, guys. We need to beat them and take back rank in this wasteland of a football state.</p>
<p id="EscXmn"><strong>What is your final record prediction?</strong></p>
<p id="6Q8d1n"><strong>Jumboheroes: </strong>4-8</p>
<p id="NwdnQS"><strong>Juan: </strong>(This is the only question Juan answered) Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol. That is my official prediction.<strong> </strong></p>
<p id="7mJRIx"><strong>Jack Walker: </strong>5-7. Not that I am an optimist, but based on the schedule.</p>
<p id="NlAqn0"><strong>The Legend: </strong>6-6</p>
<p id="l7bVvK"><strong>T-Mill: </strong>3-9. I don’t trust our tackle situation and it is going to ruin a lot. </p>
<p id="mNP9OO"><strong>Casey: </strong>5-7, narrowly avoiding bowling to keep our holiday calendars clean.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/26/12661166/h-r-purdue-football-season-preview-roundtableBoilerTMillWBBFANjumboheroesJuan CrespoDrew SchneiderCasey Bartley2016-08-25T11:59:21-04:002016-08-25T11:59:21-04:002016 Purdue Football: We Will See Improvement
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bno5_J3CKjUo5Esvach1E-mcmls=/0x130:3065x2173/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50522793/usa-today-8852361.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We all know John Shoop was bad, but just how bad?</p> <p></p>
<p>Much like a piñata, we have been beating John Shoop around here as one of the main reasons for Purdue football's struggles over the past few years. His offenses were often a disaster, but are they as bad as we thought they were? I wanted to find out based on this tweet:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails">@HammerAndRails</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SBN_BillC">@SBN_BillC</a> See UNC offense 2007-2011 vs 2012-2015</p>
— Andy (@Andy_Davenport_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Andy_Davenport_/status/768812701271334912">August 25, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>So we do have a bit of a base line. Shoop was the offensive coordinator at North Carolina for five years. Since then, the Tar Heels have has four seasons. We also can compare the three seasons that Shoop headed Purdue's offense.</p>
<p>First, here is North Carolina with Shoop:</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="632">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128"><br></td>
<td colspan="5" valign="bottom" width="503">
<p align="center">North Carolina with Shoop</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128"><br></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">2007</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">2008</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">2009</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">2010</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">2011</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Points Per Game</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">21.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">27.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">23.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">25.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">28</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Total Offense</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">3904</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">4178</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">4001</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">5066</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">5112</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>First Downs</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">201</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">205</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">228</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">246</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">250</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Rushing YPG</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">99.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">122.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">132.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">125.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">138.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Passing YPG</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">226.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">198.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">174.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">264</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">254.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Main QB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center"><span>T.J. Yates</span></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">Cameron Sexton, T.J. Yates</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">T.J. Yates</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">T.J. Yates</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center"><span>Bryn Renner</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>QB Passing Yards</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">2655</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">1200</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">2136</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">3418</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">3086</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>QB Completion %</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">59.70%</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">58%</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">60.30%</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">66.80%</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">68.30%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>QB Passing TDs</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">14</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">14</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">19</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">26</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>QB passing INTs</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">18</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">15</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">13</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Team Record</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">4-8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="179">
<p align="center">8-5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">8-5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="76">
<p align="center">8-5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="96">
<p align="center">7-6</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>The Tar Heels were a consistently mediocre team with Shoop. They were never godawful, but rarely brilliant, either. For four years they had T.J. Yates as their QB, who is a serviceable NFL quarterback now. His 2008 stats are averaged there, as Sexton and Yates basically played an even amount. That is roughly what each QB contributed to the offense.</p>
<p>The first thing that really stands out is that the rushing numbers were not strong. There was not a ton of balance and there was even a year where they averaged less than 100 yards per game. Consequently, this was UNC's worst season. The team also was not a scoring juggernaut. The 28 points per game in Shoop's final year was his best offense. That year UNC played under interim head coach Everett Withers because Butch Davis had been fired in July due to their academic scandal. Withers had previously been the defensive coordinator.</p>
<p>Now let's look at UNC after Shoop:</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="689">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128"><br></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="561">
<p align="center">North Carolina After Shoop</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128"><br></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">2012</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">2013</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">2014</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">2015</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Points Per Game</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">40.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">32.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">33.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">40.7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Total Offense</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">5827</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">5534</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">5587</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">6817</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>First Downs</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">292</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">279</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">311</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">335</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Rushing YPG</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">193.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">148.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">151.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">224.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Passing YPG</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">291.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">277.4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">278</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">262.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Main QB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">Bryn Renner</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">Bryn Renner, Marquise Williams</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center"><span>Marquise Williams</span></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center"><span>Marquise Williams</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>QB Passing Yards</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">3356</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">1730</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">3068</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">3072</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>QB Completion %</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">65.40%</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">62%</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">63.10%</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">61.30%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>QB Passing TDs</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">28</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">12</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">21</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">24</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>QB passing INTs</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="128">
<p align="center"><b>Team Record</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94">
<p align="center">8-4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="209">
<p align="center">7-6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">6-7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
<p align="center">11-3</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>The difference between 2011 and 2012, with the same quarterback, is staggering. The record wasn't much better (8-4 vs. 7-6, but UNC averaged 12.6 more points per game, 55 yards more on the ground, 37 more through the air, gained 42 more first downs, and had 700 more yards of total offense.</p>
<p>The even bigger kicker? <i>North Carolina did not officially have an <a href="http://goheels.com/fls/3350/Football/2012_FootballRoster.pdf?SPID=12962&DB_OEM_ID=3350">offensive coordinator</a>. </i>According to their official roster linked there they had a "Passing Game Coordinator" and a "Running Game Coordinator". So, with Larry Fedora in charge, the offense got better despite having two guys calling the shots instead of one.</p>
<p>The stats for quarterback Bryn Renner are telling too. His TD:INT ratio went from 2:1 to 4:1 even if his completion percentage dipped slightly.</p>
<p>In 2013 Renner and Marquise Williams split time (each roughly playing equal) so those numbers are averaged again. The split coordinator was once again a thing (as it has been all four years under Fedora), but the offense has still been about a touchdown or more better per game than previously under Shoop. The worst rushing season under the split coordinators is still 10 ypg better than Shoop's best, and the best season, last year, is significantly better.</p>
<p>Now, let's look at Shoop at Purdue:</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="646">
<colgroup>
<col width="119"> <col width="158"> <col width="175"> <col width="194"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" width="119"><br></td>
<td colspan="3" width="527">Purdue with Shoop</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><br></td>
<td>2013</td>
<td>2014</td>
<td>2015</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>Points Per Game</b></td>
<td>14.9</td>
<td>23.8</td>
<td>25.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>Total Offense</b></td>
<td>3395</td>
<td>4135</td>
<td>4423</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>First Downs</b></td>
<td>178</td>
<td>207</td>
<td>237</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>Rushing YPG</b></td>
<td>67.1</td>
<td>157.2</td>
<td>131.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>Passing YPG</b></td>
<td>215.8</td>
<td>187.4</td>
<td>237.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>Main QB</b></td>
<td>
<span>Danny Etling</span>, <span>Rob Henry</span>
</td>
<td>
<span>Austin Appleby</span>, <span>Danny Etling</span>
</td>
<td>
<span>David Blough</span>, <span>Austin Appleby</span>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>QB Passing Yards</b></td>
<td>1250</td>
<td>1125</td>
<td>1400</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>QB Completion %</b></td>
<td>54.20%</td>
<td>53.90%</td>
<td>57.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>QB Passing TDs</b></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>QB passing INTs</b></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><b>Team Record</b></td>
<td>1-11</td>
<td>3-9</td>
<td>2-10</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>After a year off, Shoop got significantly worse, even though he had a quarterback (Henry) that was experienced. All QB numbers are averaged again between the top two guys, but the numbers are pretty awful. 2013 is especially bad, as Purdue had one of the worst offenses in America, and the running game was especially atrocious. Even if you throw that year out, the running game has never had the balance or strength that it needed to be.</p>
<p>So what can we take from this? Well, part of it has to lie with the quarterback situation. Yates is far from a Hall of Famer, but he is still a serviceable NFL quarterback. You can't say that about Henry, Etling, or Appleby even though they are good guys. Still, there are factors. Henry was a mobile QB trying to run a pro-set offense that did not fit his abilities. Etling played behind a terrible offensive line and looked spooked as a result. Appleby also had flaws. Still, the numbers between all four are startingly similar.</p>
<p>Also, Shoop doubled as Purdue's QB coach at the same time. He failed to develop any of the previous three, with <span>Blough</span> still being a work in progress. It is not like North Carolina is a football powerhouse, either. Before last season's breakout 10-3 year they were solidly in the 6-8 win doldrums for about a decade</p>
<p>It is pretty clear that Purdue should have some improvement this year. I don't think it will be the drastic 12.6 points per game jump (though I will definitely take it), but the Tar Heels, even with split coordinators, showed significant improvement in year 1 of De-Shoopification. This is very good news.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/25/12644266/2016-purdue-football-offensive-improvementBoilerTMill2016-08-25T10:15:39-04:002016-08-25T10:15:39-04:002016 Purdue Football Preview: Special Teams
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Virginia Tech at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/J3-OnygnluBixMWI82OAuFt9Gug=/159x0:1941x1188/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50520295/usa-today-8811973.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Purdue is looking for special teams improvement in 2016. </p> <p id="X4bBAL">Special teams at the college level are often a crapshoot. Many of the coverage units have backups or walkons filling them that don’t otherwise play. Kickers can go from automatic to a headcase overnight. Shanked punts are far more common and if you have a speedy return man it is a blessing, but a return man with shaky hands can be a nightmare. </p>
<p id="5ykP5l">Overall last season Purdue’s special teams were not good. A freshman punter took over in midseason for a senior. Our senior kicker made one field goal beyond 22 yards all season and didn’t even attempt a kick in 6 of 12 games. Our top return man is off to the NFL, and opponents returned kicks and punts better than Purdue. </p>
<p id="5KZSjx">All of this makes for a reboot in 2016. Just two starters at the major special teams positions return, and that could be a good thing.</p>
<p id="gAUQQC"><strong>Kickers</strong></p>
<p id="qXAXHQ"><strong>Myle Homan – Fr. (RS) – </strong>it appears that a couple of walk-on kickers like Brian Bravo have left the program, leaving Homan as the lone walk-on. Of the three previous walk-ons that couldn’t supplant Paul Griggs last year, Homan was the best. He was 5 of 11 in the spring kick scrimmage (played in swirling 50 mph winds). He is probably going to be the backup, but if he can consistently get the ball to the end zone look for him to be a kickoff specialist. </p>
<p id="1eZNSQ"><strong>J.D. Dellinger – Fr. – </strong>Dellinger wins the job by default and we had better hope he works out. In the fall kick scrimmage he was 11 of 14 on field goals with a long of 48 yards. He hit everything within 35 yards, which is good. It appears to be Dellinger’s job to lose, and after Griggs inexplicably went south last year he will likely be an improvement. </p>
<p id="FBHekJ"><strong>Punters</strong></p>
<p id="BtsSl4"><strong>Joe Schopper – So. – </strong>Schopper was a true freshman last season and took over after Thomas Meadows struggled. He ended up averaging 40.2 yards per kick and downed 20 of 58 punts inside the 20 with only two touchbacks. Those are solid numbers from the freshman. He had a long of 69 yards, but he needs to develop some more consistency this year. </p>
<p id="9jSqMY"><strong>Jake Herr – Fr. (RS) – </strong>The redshirt freshman walk-on from Carmel is basically insurance in case Schopper gets injured or falls apart. </p>
<p id="YZVfMe"><strong>Long Snappers</strong></p>
<p id="4r40F0"><strong>Ben Makowski – So. – </strong>The long-snapping tradition continues as Purdue had no issues last year at all even though Makowski was a true freshman. He started all 12 games and basically has the position on lockdown. </p>
<p id="fKgVob"><strong>Ryan Sadkowski – So. – </strong>Sadkowski joined the team as a walk-on this spring and is likely the emergency guy behind Makowski. </p>
<p id="ECA3ZK"><strong>Nelson Avent – Fr. – </strong>Avent is a freshman from Nashville, Tennessee and walked on to the team this fall. Look for him to “redshirt” and he may not play until Makowski is gone in three years. </p>
<p id="K9YSjE"><strong>Returners</strong></p>
<p id="Z2CogY">Frankie Williams was Purdue’s top return man last season, but aside from one 51 yard punt return there wasn’t much from the return game at all. Purdue will try to fix that with a few players. Here are the likely candidates.</p>
<p id="Dohh3k"><strong>Malik Kimbrough – Jr. – </strong>The extremely late JuCo transfer was brought in explicitly to be a return man. He seems more suited to do punts, but don’t be surprised if he returns kickoffs too. With no definite role in the offense or defense he can concentrate fully on being a return man, which might be a good thing. Purdue’s longest kickoff return last season was only 44 yards, and it was from Williams. </p>
<p id="rG73Eq"><strong>Brian Lankford-Johnson – Fr. – </strong>The true freshman appears to be in the mix to be the No. 2 running back, but he also has blinding speed and will probably be back on kickoffs too. He reportedly has the fastest 20 yard dash on the entire team. There is nothing wrong with putting that speed back there.</p>
<p id="mtLV8X"><strong>Jack Wegher – Fr. – </strong>Another true freshman, Wegher is kind of in the “will he or won’t he redshirt” zone. If he doesn’t, it appears he could be a kickoff return option. </p>
<p id="GaHZ3s"><strong>Jackson Anthrop – Fr. – </strong>Anthrop is in the same boat as Wegher. He really isn’t high on the receiver depth chart, but he is good enough to make a special teams impact immediately and he could be a returner. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/25/12640152/2016-purdue-football-preview-special-teamsBoilerTMill2016-08-24T10:19:10-04:002016-08-24T10:19:10-04:002016 Purdue Football Preview: Secondary
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Michigan State at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2velNbvs74ld5e7J0qSUddZfK2k=/398x0:2297x1266/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50506029/usa-today-8136451.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If Purdue can find a second cornerback the secondary might not be too bad thanks to some freshmen. </p> <p id="IG4gzz">While the front seven should be pretty solid for Purdue, there are some questions in the secondary. We know that two players, Da’Wan Hunte and Leroy Clark, will be starting. Hunte played extensively last year as the backup corner to Anthony Brown and Frankie Williams. Clark was a full-time starter and is an excellent option at safety.</p>
<p id="jhoMwq">As for the rest? Well, we have some freshmen that will play and the second cornerback spot is still in flux. We have a 5<sup>th</sup> year senior getting pushed hard by a true freshman at the other safety spot. We have a new defensive scheme where the nickel back will be a primary position instead of a third linebacker. </p>
<p id="v82j1V">At least we are trying something new. </p>
<p id="5hgxpn"><strong>Leroy Clark – Sr. – Safety – </strong>Clark was Purdue’s top tackler last season. While that is good, you never want your safety to lead the team in tackles because it often means he is doing his job well beyond the line of scrimmage. He finished with 88 tackles and two interceptions. With 35 appearances in 36 career games, a 4-star rating when he was recruited, and well over 100 tackles Clark is one of the most experienced players on the entire team. He fits the definition of “serviceable, even good, but not all-B1G caliber.” He’ll be fine. </p>
<p id="uKtN0X"><strong>Robert Gregory – Sr. – Safety – </strong>Gregory came to Purdue as a quarterback, played at running back for a bit, and is now a safety. One of the last remaining Hope guys, I give him credit for being willing to help out in any way. He had 50 tackles and an interception last season in his first full years as a starter. He is definitely a try hard kind of guy, but as a multiple-position-switcher you have to feel like he wouldn’t be here if there were better options. He is getting pushed by an incoming freshman, however. </p>
<p id="sQRVHK"><strong>Austin Logan – Sr. – Safety – </strong>Logan is the lost man on the defense. In 2013 he was playing extensively and had 14 tackles with an interception. Last year he didn’t even play a down and appears to have fallen well behind everyone else on the depth chart. </p>
<p id="eXwXaI"><strong>C.J. Parker – Jr. – Safety – </strong>Parker is a big safety that was brought in as a JuCo transfer. It looks like he will primarily back up Clark, but not a lot is known about him. Last season he had 61 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions for Mt. San Jacinto junior college. </p>
<p id="yhfeUF"><strong>Wes Cook – Jr. – Safety – </strong>Cook is a walk-on transfer from east Carolina that is likely playing special teams at best. </p>
<p id="2ANDYM"><strong>Da’Wan Hunte – Jr. – Cornerback – </strong>Hunte played in all 12 games last year and has locked down one of the starting corner spots. He had 18 tackles and 2 sacks last season. His best game came against Bowling green where he had six tackles. As the No. 1 corner he should do fine, but I am concerned that he is only 5’9”.</p>
<p id="cgLOnW"><strong>Kamal Hardy – Jr. – Cornerback – </strong>Hardy was a JuCo transfer brought in to play immediately, but he is in a three-way battle for the No. 2 corner spot with Myles Norwood and Tim Cason. He had the advantage of going through spring practice, but this is one of the last position battles to be truly settled. </p>
<p id="MENwQi"><strong>Myles Norwood – Jr. – Cornerback – </strong>Norwood has made more of a name for himself as a receiver so far. He switched positions last year and his speed and size should give him an edge as he is battling with Hardy and Cason. He has also played in 21 games as a special teamer and reserve receiver. </p>
<p id="4zoVNV"><strong>Race Johnson – Jr. – Cornerback – </strong>Johnson is the older brother of diver Steele Johnson and he has done pretty well for a walk-on. He played in three games last year and even got a tackle against Indiana State. He should be a good coverage guy on special teams. </p>
<p id="86DWki"><strong>Jacob Thieneman – So. – Safety – </strong>The walk-on from Guerin Catholic in Noblesville is well down on the depth chart. </p>
<p id="eUUdfW"><strong>Tim Cason – So. – Cornerback – </strong>Cason is the third person fighting for that second corner spot, but because he was a safety for the two previous years he might be better suited for the new nickel spot. Last season he appeared in six games and had four tackles, so he at least has some defensive experience to bring with him. </p>
<p id="sE4No4"><strong>Brandon Roberts – So. – Nickelback – </strong>Roberts is the only player on the roster listed officially as a nickel back, but in the new defensive scheme he will play a lot. He played in 11 games last year and had 36 tackles plus an interception at Northwestern. It certainly sounds like he has filled his role as half linebacker/half defensive back well in camp. It is a unique role for sure, and we can pencil him in as a starter since he is the only player on the roster listed for that role. </p>
<p id="ziZ8G9"><strong>Antonio Blackmon – So. – Cornerback – </strong>A walk-on, Blackmon has done well in each of the last two spring games and has outperformed many scholarship players at the position. He is the type of guy that seems to be mentioned in every practice report, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he emerged as a reserve corner. </p>
<p id="MTwXkE"><strong>David Day – Fr. (RS) – Cornerback – </strong>Day is a walk-on corner that seems to be well down the depth chart. </p>
<p id="ypAgKd"><strong>Ronnie Hill - Fr. (RS) – Safety – </strong>Hill is a walk-on corner that seems to be well down the depth chart.</p>
<p id="7gJ7kY"><strong>Andy Chelf – Fr. (RS) – Safety – </strong>Chelf tore his ACL last season and redshirted. He appeared to have a pretty bad knee injury last week in camp and there haven’t been any updates, but it did not sound good. </p>
<p id="buvCO1"><strong>Mike Little - Fr. (RS) – Cornerback – </strong>Little was expected to battle for a corner spot, but it looks like he is currently behind the big four, plus Blackmon. </p>
<p id="6ULhAz"><strong>David Rose - Fr. (RS) – Cornerback – </strong>Rose hasn’t been heard from much since his arrest last season and is probably in the doghouse. </p>
<p id="BTILoQ"><strong>Evyn Cooper – Fr. – Cornerback – </strong>Cooper hasn’t been in practice and was involved in the same arrest with Rose last season. Hazell insists he is on the team, but he is not currently listed on the roster. Sounds like a guy in the process of getting a cranial-rectal inversion. </p>
<p id="b0GlJX"><strong>Josh Hayes – Fr. – Cornerback – </strong>Hayes is an exciting freshman that may push for some playing time. He brings good size to the position, but can he elevate himself above some other to make not redshirting worth it?</p>
<p id="Vs0NU0"><strong>Brandon Shuman – Fr. – Cornerback – </strong>Shuman is basically in the same boat as Hayes. They bring a lot to the table, but lack experience and it is not known if they will avoid the redshirt or not. </p>
<p id="GpeoIL"><strong>Simeon Smiley – Fr. – Cornerback – </strong>Can we go three-for-three with true freshman corners getting the same evaluation? Yes we can!</p>
<p id="AnGovH"><strong>Navon Mosley – Fr. – Safety – </strong>Here is a guy I am excited to see. He is reportedly pushing Gregory hard and could even start from day 1 as a true freshman. He is supposed to cover like a corner but hit like a linebacker, something we have sorely missed at the safety position since, well, since Stu Schweigert was back there patrolling. Coverage has been an issue with Gregory, so if Mosley is better in coverage he needs to play. </p>
<p id="hbNSfW"><strong>Brennan Thieneman – Fr. – Safety</strong> – The younger brother of Jacob, he is a walk-on that is well down the depth chart. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/24/12623320/2016-purdue-football-preview-secondaryBoilerTMill2016-08-18T09:46:04-04:002016-08-18T09:46:04-04:002016 Purdue Football Preview: Linebackers
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Michigan State at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DPKCXm7z7RI-rMAnfythUCRYXjA=/0x50:3000x2050/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50434825/usa-today-8136483.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Yes! Purdue actually has solid linebackers!</p> <p id="vMUxqm">When previewing Purdue football these days it is like looking at a bizarre version of the defense. From 2004 to 2014 Purdue was known to have subpar linebackers. No matter the year, it seemed like the Boilers couldn’t find three Big Ten caliber linebackers to put on the field. It was a massive deficiency that never seemed to be addressed in recruiting. </p>
<p id="r4hHWZ">Fast Forward to last season and this season. Purdue seems to have a wealth of quality linebackers that could play on any team in the league. Unfortunately, the progression of offensive football often means that you can’t have three on the field at the same time because of match-ups. That’s why Purdue is shifting over to more of a 4-2-5 front this season. </p>
<p id="qYP5nz">This means a lot of guys will be available for a rotation, but some of Purdue’s most talented players will be on the bench. </p>
<p id="rQRFG2"><strong>Andy James Garcia – Sr. – </strong>Garcia is the type of player that would have been a multi-year starter during the late Tiller years and the Hope years. Credit needs to be given to linebackers coach Marcus Freeman there, as he has developed players that are better than Garcia, who is good in his own right, but has served mostly as a quality backup in his previous three years. Garcia has played in all 36 possible games during his career but only has nine starts. He finished last season with 63 tackles (third on the team), a sack, and a fumble recovery. He has also intercepted a pass in his career and has 83 tackles for his career. He is the type of guy that is a very valuable fill-in at any linebacker spot when the starters in front of him get banged up or need a breather. He’s not bad at all, but we just have better options. </p>
<p id="c1JOsl"><strong>Jimmy Herman – Sr. – </strong>One of the players Garcia replaced a decent amount last season was Herman, who battled hamstring issues all year and was limited to only eight games. Injuries also cost him a few games in 2014. Both Herman and Garcia are holdovers from the Hope era and Herman has 110 career tackles as a solid outside linebacker. He should play quite a bit when Purdue has three linebackers on the field, but may be the odd man out when the Boilers shift down to two. </p>
<p id="humEH5"><strong>Evan Pulliam – Sr. –</strong> The senior walk-on from Cathedral has been a consistent contributor on special teams the last two seasons and should do more of the same this year. He has five career tackles, four coming last season. </p>
<p id="pQik2A"><strong>Ryan DeBusk – Sr – </strong>DeBusk is listed as “rush end” one of four players listed as such. They are kind of hybrid outside linebackers/defensive ends and I didn’t mention them in the defensive lineman preview. DeBusk is a fifth year walk-on that has yet to officially play, but was Academic All-Big Ten last season. </p>
<p id="ajNWWh"><strong>Ju’Whaun Bentley – Jr. – </strong>The beast in the middle, Bentley is probably the best linebacker Purdue has had in over a decade. He is absolutely critical to any of Purdue’s success in 2016. He finished fifth on the team with 49 total tackles and this was just in five games before a torn ACL cost him the final seven. As a true freshman in 2014 he burst onto the scene with 79 tackles and an interception. ESPN and USA Today even named him a true freshman All-American that year. </p>
<p id="DKH5OW">Bentley is what a middle linebacker should be: the heart and soul of the defense. Purdue absolutely needs him at the position and he looks to be 100% already, which is very good. Purdue’s defense wasn’t great last year, but it REALLY went south when Bentley got hurt. We simply cannot afford to lose a player of his caliber. </p>
<p id="iWKuZj"><strong>Garrett Hudson – Jr. – </strong>As I said on today’s countdown for Hudson, he is a valuable reserve with starting experience that has done well in spots in his career. Last year he was Bentley’s primary backup, but unfortunately he was not Bentley. He will contribute this year because he has so much experience. </p>
<p id="u8JiD4"><strong>Danny Ezechukwu – Jr. – </strong>The junior from Lithonia, GA has started 18 of 24 games the past two seasons and is probably Purdue best outside linebacker. That means he will likely get the most playing time of anyone outside of Bentley. Last year he had 79 tackles, a sack, an interception, and a 90-yard fumble return for the defense’s only touchdown of the year. He now has 122 tackles for his career with 2.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. </p>
<p id="7Tklas"><strong>Dezwan Polk-Campbell – </strong>Purdue is so deep at linebacker that Polk-Campbell is probably a third stringer, but he still has nine games of experience with 7 tackles. That means we could see him in more of a special teams role. </p>
<p id="5dszX6"><strong>Antoine Miles – Jr. – </strong>Miles is another rush end and he might have been Purdue’s best at the position last season. He started six games last year and finished with 28 tackles and four sacks. Those numbers could see him play a lot more as an end this season. Of course, a lot of his damage came in a nine tackle two sack game against Indiana State. </p>
<p id="5odTVB"><strong>Austin Larkin – Jr. – </strong>Larkin is also a rush end and appears to be in line to be one of four starters on the defensive line. Last season he had 38 tackles and seven sacks at City College of San Francisco after playing in 2014 as a walk-on at Notre Dame.<strong> </strong>He is a player that seems to have blossomed greatly in the last four years and he offers an intriguing pass rush option.<strong> </strong></p>
<p id="OD2KNT"><strong>Markus Bailey – Fr. (RS) – </strong>Bailey barely managed to hang on to his redshirt last season, as he played in three games and had 12 tackles before tearing his ACL. That means he is now the rare freshman with at least some game experience. He should be one of Purdue’s best outside linebackers and will likely be right behind Ezechukwu and Herman for playing time. </p>
<p id="u7ikl6"><strong>Chazmyn Turner – Fr. (RS) – </strong>The fourth and final rush end, Turner was arrested last October for<a href="http://fox59.com/2015/10/05/two-freshman-purdue-football-players-arrested-on-alcohol-and-marijuana-charges/"> alcohol and weed</a> along with Wyatt Cook. He is a developmental player that may not get a lot of playing time this year because there are so many in front of him. </p>
<p id="tVj4zd"><strong>Sawyer Dawson – Fr. (RS) – </strong>Dawson is a three-star recruiting coming out of his redshirt year. Like many others mentioned here, it would seem he is no higher than third team on the depth chart right now. </p>
<p id="zcj8H7"><strong>Semisi Fakasiieiki – Fr. – </strong>The only true freshman linebacker on the team, he is a big body that is almost certainly headed towards a redshirt as a developmental player. He did have 80 tackles and an impressive four defensive touchdowns last season, however. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/18/12533424/2016-purdue-football-preview-linebackersBoilerTMill2016-08-16T12:01:02-04:002016-08-16T12:01:02-04:002016 Purdue Football Preview: Defensive Line
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Iowa at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OtNOYwgh2WVyFQeEcTmYROIIdrU=/435x0:2982x1698/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50407457/usa-today-8108710.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Is Randy Melvin going to be the solution for Purdue’s defensive line woes?</p> <p id="agdSDb">We have heard the same refrain for years. Well, we have heard TWO refrains for years:</p>
<p id="VwbMIC">1. “Purdue needs more of a pass rush!”</p>
<p id="MEyg65">2. “Player X (Often Ryan Russell, Gelen Robinson, Evan Panfil, or someone like that) is poised to really break out this season!”</p>
<p id="h8yI2Q">Instead, the pass rush has sucked. The Den of Defensive Ends has been in hibernation. Teams have passed with impunity on third downs because opposing quarterbacks have all day to set down their coffee and scan the field for an open receiver on third and long. </p>
<p id="bOamLY">Purdue has not had a player with more than four sacks in a season since Kawann Short in 2012. It has not had a double-digit sack season from a player since Ryan Kerrigan won Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. That’s beyond sad for a school that prides itself on producing elite pass rushers. </p>
<p id="ggRf1m">It is not like the talent has been missing, either. Russell got his way to the NFL as the most recent member of the Den. Gelen Robinson entered as a highly touted pass rusher. What Purdue has at the position has been greatly misused, and last season’s terrible run defense was also an indictment on the poor state of the defensive line. That all could change this year because of one person, however. </p>
<p id="mNEKGt">Randy Melvin is back</p>
<p id="79TReb">Melvin is, in essence, the godfather of the Den of Defensive Ends. He served as the defensive line coach for the first three years under Tiller and developed a line that unleashed terror on opposing quarterbacks. Let’s ask former Heisman runner-up Michael Bishop what he thinks of Melvin:</p>
<div id="WMA6Og"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75.0019%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XdXqkOx0BKc?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" allowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="jxGcMV">That’s Rosevelt Colvin and Chike Okeafor reeking bloody havoc on one of the best players in the country at the time. Their position coach is now back at Purdue with some talent to work with.</p>
<p id="980Ykx"><strong>Jake Replogle – Sr. – DT – </strong>Purdue does not have many all-Big Ten candidates on the roster, but Replogle is one of the few. The 6’5” 289 pound defensive tackle had three older brothers play in the Big Ten at Indiana, but Jake might be the best after getting picked on by said older brothers growing up. Last season he was 4<sup>th</sup> on the team in overall tackles with 60 and he was the only player with double digit tackles for loss at 14. He has 24 consecutive starts in his career and is one of the unquestioned team leaders. Basically, Purdue absolutely needs him to be an all-Big Ten level type of player, and he is capable. </p>
<p id="AsSbKe"><strong>Evan Panfil – Sr. – DE – </strong>Panfil seems to be on the Ryan Russell plan at Purdue. It always seems like he is poised to break out and be dominant, but it has yet to happen. Last season he had 30 tackles and four sacks for his best season as a Boilermaker. We need more though. He is a big, strong end that GBI has said is <a href="https://purdue.rivals.com/news/purdue-building-chemistry-on-defensive-front">benefitting greatly from Melvin</a>:</p>
<blockquote id="lAGRgw">
<p>Often last season, Panfil would rely on power to bull-rush offensive tackles and get into the backfield. That was, really, his pass rush go-to. </p>
<p>Until Randy Melvin came along.</p>
<p>Melvin wanted Panfil to show more variety, not just barrel down the middle of tackles. Not surprisingly, then, Panfil’s point of emphasis over the last six months or so has been developing more pass rush moves. Especially knowing how desperately Purdue’s defensive front needs to generate pressure on the quarterback. </p>
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<p id="UnruJP">Sounds like basic coaching that Melvin’s predecessor completely failed at. “You mean bull-rushing a 320 pound offensive tackle isn’t working? Well, try it again!”</p>
<p id="OGIrsV"><strong>Shayne Henley – Sr. – DE – </strong>Henley was brought in last season as a stopgap JuCo transfer to give Purdue another experienced player on the end. He finished with nine tackles and a sack. Most of that work came early on in the season, so it would seem like he is stuck at the “quality reserve” level. </p>
<p id="NJ5gFv"><strong>Langston Newton – Sr. – DE – </strong>Newton is officially listed as an end but in some sets so far he is lining up as a tackle. That could be good for him. The he played early last season and even forced a big fumble at Marshall, but has not done a lot since transferring from Kentucky in 2014. </p>
<p id="KirAZI"><strong>Gelen Robinson – Jr. – DE – </strong>Look, I am just going to be blunt here: Robinson needs to remove his head from his ass and play football. He is ridiculously talented as a player, but all we have heard for two years now it off the field incidents (two arrests) and “he has problems with his motor”. We already saw some of it when he started fall camp on the third team. This guy has all-Big Ten talent, but he needs a firm boot up his ass to get him motivated. In two years he has 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks, but when you see him you know he can do so much more. As a four-star recruit more is expected of him, too. Hopefully Melvin gets through to him because a fully motivated Robinson could be dangerous. </p>
<p id="TnCkxW"><strong>Austin Larkin - Jr. - DE - </strong>Larkin has taken a circuitous route to Purdue. He originally played as a special teams player when he walked on at Notre Dame in the footsteps as his dad. He then transferred to San Francisco City College, where he played well enough to earn a scholarship at Purdue. As for those all high and mighty about “accepting Notre Dame’s castoffs” relax. This kid earned playing time as a walk-on true freshman at a program that is light years ahead of us right now. Get over yourselves. </p>
<p id="9duzi0">Larkin has already been on campus awhile, going through spring practice. he has earned a potential starting job and should be, at minimum, a contributor. Considering his cousin is current NBA player Shane Larkin, his dad played at Notre Dame, and his uncle is MLB Hall of Famer Barry Larkin I am going to say he has the genes to be a good athlete. </p>
<p id="KiQ8Bg"><strong>Eddy Wilson – So. – DT – </strong>Today’s featured player, Wilson is expected to be a starter in the middle alongside Replogle and he looks like a good one. He definitely has the size to be a monster defensive tackle in this league. We just need him to be productive against the run. Let Replogle and the ends get to the quarterback. Just hold down the middle, Eddy. </p>
<p id="jZjkm6"><strong>Keiwan Jones – So. – DT – </strong>Jones tore his ACL last season but has reportedly come on well in camp so far. He is battling Wilson to start next to Replogle, which is good. We can definitely use the depth because no one is proven beyond Replogle. The harder Jones pushes, the better, because it means he will play as a reserve at minimum. </p>
<p id="WqeJUj"><strong>Will Colmery – So. – DT – </strong>Colmery had a freaking brain tumor removed in the offseason, so his status is up in the air at best. He is trying to work his way back to football, however, so if he plays he deserves a standing ovation. </p>
<p id="MndiRg"><strong>Mike Zeigler – So. – DE – </strong>Zeigler is a walk-on transfer from Southern Illinois that went 29-0 in high school as part of a two-time 5A state champion. His dad is a former Purdue player and he will have to sit this season as a transfer. </p>
<p id="msjzyR"><strong>Tim Faison – Fr. (RS) – DE – </strong>Faison has missed the last few practices battling a concussion but has been getting some looks as a reserve defensive end. He has actually switched positions from linebacker to defensive end, so he is still learning the position, too. </p>
<p id="MPCdKz"><strong>Wyatt Cook – Fr. (RS) – DE – </strong>Cook is pretty much in the same boat as Faison. He has moved to DE from linebacker during his redshirt season and has a little ways to go before seeing the field. </p>
<p id="ealpXr"><strong>Fred Brown – Fr. (RS) – DT –</strong> Brown is coming out of a redshirt year and is one of several players battling for time at defensive tackle. He may have to hold off a couple of true freshmen. In his senior season he had an impressive 83 tackles, 10 sacks, four blocked field goals, and four forced fumbles. </p>
<p id="HHsh4U"><strong>Rob Simmons – Fr. – DE – </strong>We’re still not sure Simmons is even coming. An incredibly lean 215 pounds for an end, he did well at Valley forge Military Academy but he still “<a href="http://www.jconline.com/story/sports/blogs/nathan-baird/2016/08/04/purdue-football-camp-report-day-1/88072212/">has a project to complete</a>” academically. Regardless, he has redshirt written all over him. </p>
<p id="i1LTaB"><strong>Lorenzo Neal – Fr. – DT – </strong>The son of a long-time NFL fullback for the Chargers, Neal comes to Purdue with a massive 6’2” 345 pounds frame that might have him play immediately as a reserve. As long as he has some conditioning we can expect to see him as a big body in the middle. </p>
<p id="B8hmG5"><strong>Anthony Watts – Fr. – DT – </strong>Watts and Neal, both from Houston, have reportedly bonded well off the field and formed a great friendship. That should go a long way towards helping Purdue up front, as Watts is another true freshman looking for playing time at defensive tackle. </p>
<p id="vu0SMz"><strong>Alex Criddle – Fr. – DT – </strong>Our third true freshman that might play is Criddle. He is another big boy, this time from Oklahoma. He brought in a number of awards from his final season as one of the best defensive linemen in his state, so we could see him on the field early. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/16/12501214/2016-purdue-football-preview-defensive-lineBoilerTMill2016-08-15T11:37:37-04:002016-08-15T11:37:37-04:00Reports: Martesse Patterson Suffers Knee Injury
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<figcaption>Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The projected starting left tackle for Purdue left this morning's practice with an unknown knee injury. </p> <p>Purdue's thin margin of error along the offensive line may have gotten slightly thinner this morning when projected starting left tackle <span>Martesse Patterson</span> sustained a knee injury according to reports:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Potentially significant injury at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Purdue?src=hash">#Purdue</a> morning practice: starting LT <span>Martesse Patterson</span>, left knee. Unknown severity. Iced/walk w/ limp</p>
— Nathan Baird (@nbairdjc) <a href="https://twitter.com/nbairdjc/status/765204195863650304">August 15, 2016</a>
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this is a terrible blow for Purdue if he is out any sustained length of time. Patterson was a top reserve last season that even started three games. He was expected to hold down the left tackle spot on a line that does not have a ton of experience, especially at the tackle positions. Just yesterday The Legend was writing about how he was <a href="http://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/14/12476946/purdue-football-preview-2017-offensive-tackle?_ga=1.3858416.1157122275.1422992267">Purdue's best lineman</a>.</p>
<p>We will keep an eye on this, obviously, and hopefully it is just a sprain. <span>Cameron Cermin</span> and JuCo transfer <span>Jalen Neal</span> appear to be the likely replacements for him, but Purdue needs Patterson.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/15/12485170/reports-martesse-patterson-suffers-knee-injuryBoilerTMill2016-08-11T12:18:55-04:002016-08-11T12:18:55-04:002016 Purdue Football Season Preview: Tight Ends
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<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>There is not a lot of proven depth, but the Purdue TEs should be better this year. </p> <p id="FtTG4w">I expect the tight end position to have more production this season, mostly because TEs coach Terry Malone moved up to take the reigns as offensive coordinator. He likely knows these guys best after coaching them last year, so it makes sense for him to find ways to work them into the offense more. </p>
<p id="nXIR8L">Currently there are only four tight ends on the entire roster, and only one has even played in a game so far. That leaves a pretty clear starter.</p>
<p id="3x0SlJ"><strong>Cole Herdman – So.</strong></p>
<p id="Tj3d0I">Herdman had a pretty decent season out of his redshirt as the main backup to senior Jordan Jurasevich. He ended up playing in all1 2 games and started twice. Herdman caught a pass in every game except the Wisconsin game, but never had more than two receptions per game. That left him with 18 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. The TDs came late in blowouts against Minnesota and Indiana. </p>
<p id="wFIHQR">Herdman brings pretty good size and hands to the position at 6’4” 251 pounds. His experience is what will be critical. He has all of it when it comes to this entire unit. Word is that he will occasionally line up wide instead of on the line, but given Purdue’s offensive line issues he could be held in to block more often. Malone sees Herdman as the traditional safety valve underneath for his quarterbacks, unlike John Shoop, who likely didn’t know tight ends were eligible receivers. </p>
<p id="WN4RJm"><strong>Brycen Hopkins – Fr. (RS) </strong></p>
<p id="oqOpMx">Hopkins is a promising player that seems to be getting a lot of looks as a blocker coming off of his redshirt year. His dad was an NFL offensive lineman for 13 years, so he at least has the pedigree to be a solid football player. Hopkins has a basketball background from high school, which is what all the great tight ends in the NFL seem to have. In his senior year his high school reached the state title game and he finished with 11 catches for 247 yards and three scores. </p>
<p id="cr99S4">Hopkins certainly looks like he has the physical tools, but he is still raw. I do like his height for potential goal line situations. </p>
<p id="2atoFX"><strong>Jess Trussell – Fr. (RS)</strong></p>
<p id="qi3JiU">Trussell is one big hombre from Texas at 6’6” 240 pounds. His senior year was an impressive one with 22 catches for 493 yards and 7 touchdowns. He even threw a pass according <a href="http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jess-trussell/_7-uAzNYEeOZXQAmVebBJg/gendersport/football-stats.htm">to his MaxPreps profile</a>. Like Hopkins, he has the size to play tight end in the Big Ten. What he lacks is the experience. Right now it seems like Hopkins is a bit ahead of him, but if Purdue goes with a three TE goal line set Trussell is a good option. </p>
<p id="6WngMI"><strong>Wade Buckman – Fr. </strong></p>
<p id="yWOwvL">Buckman is a freshman walk-on from Holland, Michigan that joined the team this fall. According to his hometown paper <a href="http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20160319/SPORTS/160318695">he was a preferred walk-on</a>:</p>
<blockquote id="ExR0LY">
<p>Buckman, a 6-foot-6 quarterback at Holland, will likely move to tight end with the Boilermakers.</p>
<p>“I have talked to coach about tight end. They want me to put on some weight,” he said. “But they said they are thin at the quarterback spot, too, so with my experience there I could see myself with a little action there, too, maybe a flex.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="tuxNyn">It seems like Buckman is very likely a redshirt candidate, especially since he is moving from QB to TE.</p>
<p id="1UfPuO"><strong>Projected Depth Chart:</strong></p>
<p id="7Yhapk"><strong>1. Herdman</strong></p>
<p id="FbN0Ih"><strong>2. Hopkins</strong></p>
<p id="sy4XEi"><strong>3. Trussell</strong></p>
<p id="ywhOEu"><strong>Buckman - Redshirt</strong></p>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/8/11/12440704/2016-purdue-football-season-preview-tight-endsBoilerTMill