Hammer and Rails - Countdown to 2023 Purdue FootballPurdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2023-09-02T07:00:00-04:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/stream/235035372023-09-02T07:00:00-04:002023-09-02T07:00:00-04:000 Days until Purdue Football: Jayden Dixon-Veal
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<figcaption>Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Purdue Football is back! </p> <p id="LmC7QH"><strong>Jayden Dixon-Veal</strong></p>
<p id="fReMtc"><strong>Junior </strong></p>
<p id="6nLZfW"><strong>Wide Receiver</strong></p>
<p id="rMCdC8"><strong>6’ 185 lbs. </strong></p>
<p id="rHeMk9">It is finally game day! Purdue kicks off the season against Fresno State this afternoon so today is our last (two) players on our countdown. Garrett is covering the other player so today I feature Jayden Dixon-Veal; a JuCo transfer from the College of San Mateo. </p>
<p id="00nEAB">Jayden pulled down 24 catches for 272 yards last season and is primarily used as a slot receiver. He will probably serve as a back-up this year but the wide receiver group is wide open. We have some veteran players coming back but much is still unknown on who will breakout this year.</p>
<p id="JhCd96">The air-raid offense will also use a lot more receivers than we are used to in years past so he should get some opportunities to see the field and show what he can do. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2023/9/2/23855647/0-days-until-purdue-football-jayden-dixon-vealGamedayGabi2023-09-01T16:39:00-04:002023-09-01T16:39:00-04:001 Day To Purdue Football: Markevious Brown
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<img alt="Ole Miss v Texas A&amp;M" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ylcyfBmvxPH4k-RKEbuVL8e8ELs=/0x0:5410x3607/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72603668/1437610555.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>One more day until we see Ole Miss transfer corner Markevious Brown take the field in Gold and Black!</p> <p id="72fv3Z"><strong>Markevious Brown - Junior</strong></p>
<p id="GE6fNR"><strong>Pahokee, FL (lMG Academy)</strong></p>
<p id="q5qNdL"><strong>Cornerback</strong></p>
<p id="L3ENPs"><strong>6’0”, 180</strong></p>
<p id="L6Hwqf"><strong>2023 Projection: Starter or Key Depth</strong></p>
<p id="eLQ9HK">Ryan Walters was tasked with building the corner position at Purdue from scratch, and one of his first moves in the portal was snagging former consensus 4* corner Markevious Brown from Ole Miss. It hasn’t been long since the 2021 recruit out of IMG was collecting scholarship offers from the upper echelon of college football. He held offers from Alabama, Michigan, Florida State and Penn State before committing to Lane Kiffin.</p>
<p id="UDwbzY">He flashed promise in Oxford during his two year stint. He appeared in 5 games as a true freshman, playing as both a reserve corner and a special teams gunner. He found a more consistent role as a sophomore in 2022, appearing in 13 games as a back-up corner. On the season he was credited with 19 tackles, and 2 pass break-ups. He was in-line to fight foe a starting job with the Rebs before deciding to cast his lot with the Boilermakers.</p>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2023/9/1/23803486/1-day-to-purdue-football-markevious-brownDrew Schneider2023-09-01T09:17:40-04:002023-09-01T09:17:40-04:001 Day to Purdue Football: Hudson Card
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Big Ten Football Media Day" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IZUqZJJiiZw3ligUmjm-WTvilQA=/0x0:4200x2800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72602104/usa_today_21096945.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>New team, same skill. | Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Purdue starting QB and new captain has a great opportunity. </p> <p id="u6XwLF">One day more. </p>
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<p id="LqjQn6"><strong>Hudson Card - Redshirt Junior (Transfer - Texas) </strong></p>
<p id="vaSeFd"><strong>Austin, TX (Lake Travis)</strong></p>
<p id="yFPRan"><strong>6’3”, 210 pounds</strong></p>
<p id="IhlQPb"><strong>Quarterback</strong></p>
<p id="txPgri"><strong>2023 Projection: QB1 </strong></p>
<p id="BKxrz5">I don’t want to put too much pressure on any one player or one position...but I sort of have to here. Hudson Card transferred in from Texas (THEY’RE BACK!) and was one of the first big moves from Ryan Walters. The quarterback position is so critical to the lifeblood of every college football team and that goes double for Purdue. Purdue has been a team that has lived and died based on QB play in the last roughly 30 years. Hudson Card hopes to be the next in line to join the cradle of quarterbacks. </p>
<p id="hmWBJE">During his time at Texas over three seasons Card played in 22 games and started five of them. During this time he threw 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He completed 65% of his passes for a total of 1,523 yards. He did get sacked a total of 18 times but that’s most likely a reflection of Texas as a whole rather than Card specifically. </p>
<p id="v2w9I4">It’s fair to say that given the massive turnover the Boilermakers faced on the offensive end that a lot of what this Purdue offense will be this year will rely on what Hudson Card can do behind center. Given the lack of proven playmakers in the wide receiver room it will be up to Card to make new playmakers, to make new stars, to determine who can be relied upon, and find a way to get everyone involved. </p>
<p id="D2mN0g">Purdue football, you’re only a day away. </p>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2023/9/1/23855358/1-day-to-purdue-football-hudson-cardjumboheroes2023-08-31T22:00:15-04:002023-08-31T22:00:15-04:002 Days Until Purdue Football: Salim Turner-Muhammad
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Washington State at Stanford" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UvmyZAS9yshbWhOT3YGQbwtILl4=/0x0:4717x3145/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72600839/usa_today_19366318.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Just two more sleeps…</p> <p id="LqjQn6">Salim Turner-Muhammad - Grad Transfer (Stanford)</p>
<p id="vaSeFd">Corona, NY (Episcopal High School)</p>
<p id="yFPRan">6’0”, 200 pounds</p>
<p id="IhlQPb">Defensive Back</p>
<p id="txPgri">2023 Projection: Rotation</p>
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<p id="NgNQ6m">A once highly recruited 4 star prospect, Salim has had his career at Stanford hampered by injury. After being relegated to a reserve role last season, he will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this year looking to revive his career in West Lafayette.</p>
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<p id="yV0AZg">While he may not start right away, there is no doubt he will be used early and often. His size and athleticism, on a team guided by a coach that can get the best out of his defensive backs, Turner-Muhammad has a chance to thrive in his new home. And I expect he will do just that two days from now. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2023/8/31/23854986/2-days-until-purdue-football-salim-turner-muhammadChaseMahurin2023-08-30T09:00:00-04:002023-08-30T09:00:00-04:003 Days Until Purdue Football: Tyrone Tracy Jr
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<figcaption>Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>The sixth year senior will be switching positions this year.</p> <p id="fcFuao"><strong>Tyrone Tracy Jr</strong></p>
<p id="dehagl"><strong>6TH YR SR - Recruiting Class of 2018</strong></p>
<p id="QPlRi5"><strong>Indianapolis, IN - Decatur</strong></p>
<p id="wGmVeP"><strong>6’1” 210 lbs</strong></p>
<p id="n5rq0H"><strong>RB</strong></p>
<p id="goPfst">Last season, Purdue brought back the Indianapolis native, Tyrone Tracy Jr after a 4 year stint at Iowa. The former Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year played in 25 games as a wide receiver but he had a much more expansive role. Tracy Jr is capable of playing the receiver position as well as a gadget running back, a traditional running back, and a return specialist. Last season at Purdue, Tyrone was used often on gadget plays such as screens and jet sweeps. He appeared in all 14 Purdue games including 5 starts and totaled 356 total yards on 45 touches. This season, Tracy Jr has officially switched positions to running back and appears poised to get traditional run plays alongside Devin Mockobee and Dylan Downing. Obviously, Tyrone can still line up as a wideout, which I still expect him to do, but I’m hopeful he gets more touches this season, as he has shown that he’s versatile and given the state of Purdue’s receiver room. We should definitely seem Tyrone returning kickoffs this season as well; he was listed as the kickoff returner as part of week 1’s depth chart. One thing is clear: Tyrone Tracy Jr will get his hands on the ball in several ways in his 6th year.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2023/8/30/23850375/3-days-until-purdue-football-tyrone-tracy-jrPURB972023-08-29T13:46:03-04:002023-08-29T13:46:03-04:004 Days until Purdue Football: Deion Burks
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<figcaption>Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>We are in the final days ladies and gentleman </p> <p id="eqFT9U"><strong>Deion Burks</strong></p>
<p id="1HDlpI"><strong>Redshirt sophomore </strong></p>
<p id="LphQKz"><strong>Wide receiver</strong></p>
<p id="kBfxpO"><strong>5’11” 195 lbs. </strong></p>
<p id="aBu9It">I can’t believe we are only 4 days until kickoff. I don’t pay much attention to sports once basketball wraps up and it feels like it’s been the longest off-season. Today on our countdown we feature a projected starter for the 2023 season. </p>
<p id="hW8Clo">Deion Burks appeared in all 14 games last season with one start against Illinois. He played special teams as well as bringing in 15 catches for 149 yards as receiver. During Walters press conference yesterday he described Burks as a “freak” athlete. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fastest player on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Purdue?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Purdue</a>'s team? WR Deion Burks, whom Ryan Walters calls a "freak."</p>— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomDienhart1/status/1696177490035642847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2023</a>
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<p id="0tqCxg">Purdue has always had that go to receiver whether it was Charlie Jones last year, David Bell before that or Rondale Moore before that. Can Burks be that guy this year for the Boilers? I sure hope so. Either way I think we will see great things for him this year in a position Purdue really needs players to step up. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2023/8/29/23850901/4-days-until-purdue-football-deion-burksGamedayGabi2023-08-28T16:03:00-04:002023-08-28T16:03:00-04:005 Days to Purdue Football: Elijah Canion
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Penn State at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AFkyewC-2ME9lOghUKERVmtg5zU=/4x0:2740x1824/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72587193/usa_today_18965611.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Auburn transfer at #5 is looking for a break-out performance in less than a week!</p> <p id="72fv3Z"><strong>Elijah Canion - RS Junior</strong></p>
<p id="q5qNdL"><strong>Hollywood, FL (Chaminade-Madonna Prep)</strong></p>
<p id="UcdyYr"><strong>Wide Receiver</strong></p>
<p id="L3ENPs"><strong>6’4, 220 </strong></p>
<p id="L6Hwqf"><strong>2023 Projection: Starter or Key Bench Piece</strong></p>
<p id="rxNmIg">I expected big things last season from Auburn transfer Elijah Canion, but the jumbo sized Auburn transfer couldn’t get healthy. He appeared in the opening game against Penn State and then disappeared. Out of all the players on offense, Canion might benefit the most from the coaching change. The down field specialist should get more looks in a offense that distributes the ball a little more equitably. The air raid needs big receivers on the outside that can both catch the ball and block, and Elijah can do both of those things.</p>
<p id="oSr5HB">He’ll be in a battle with FAU transfer Jahmal Edrine for the boundary receiver job, but I expect to see both players on the field a good bit, regardless of who starts. I expect to see some quick passes out to Canion where he can utilize his 6’4”, 220 pound frame to bully smaller corners after the catch. You’ll also see plenty of deep shots to jump ball specialist with track speed. He has everything you’re looking for in a boundary receiver on paper, this is the year to see it on grass.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2023/8/28/23803465/5-days-to-purdue-football-elijah-canionDrew Schneider2023-08-28T08:28:31-04:002023-08-28T08:28:31-04:005 Days to Purdue Football: Nic Scourton
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<figcaption>Nic Scourton (formerly Nic Caraway) | Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Same number. Same player. Different last name. </p> <p id="IANxPy">You may recognize the first name and number of this player but you might be questioning yourself. That’s because Nic Scourton used to be known as Nic Caraway but has made it known during this offseason that he is now Nic Scourton. So, that confusion out of the way, let’s get to it. </p>
<p id="szqUC1"><strong>Nic Scourton - Sophomore</strong></p>
<p id="FmQxzG"><strong>Bryan, TX (Bryan HS)</strong></p>
<p id="Kh2PAU"><strong>6’4”, 280 pounds</strong></p>
<p id="w08ROn"><strong>Defensive End</strong></p>
<p id="QSFo87"><strong>2023 Projection: Starter</strong></p>
<p id="WkB0RT">Scourton appeared in 10 games at the defensive end spot as a true freshman. That alone is an impressive feat. He also managed to grab 22 tackles including 10 solo tackles during his freshman campaign. These 22 tackles were the most by a freshman defensive lineman since Big George Karlaftis. Good company to be sure. He also recorded sacks against Northwestern and IU and forced a fumble against the Wildcats. </p>
<p id="wFByRM">According to the ever changing Purdue sports website, Scourton has gained 20 pounds between this season and last. That would be quite a transformation of his body. Let’s hope it comes with increased strength and increased endurance. That’s not to say that Scourton lacked either of those during his freshman season, but the grind of a Big Ten football season gets to everyone. </p>
<p id="B13mTG">Scourton should be an impact player on a defense that should have the line as its strength this season. Ryan Walters and the new staff have shown an ability to build a great defense and, like so much in football, it all starts in the trenches. Scourton can make a huge impact on the field this year. He’s got the potential to be a star on this team. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2023/8/28/23848729/5-days-to-purdue-football-nic-scourtonjumboheroes