Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1002455
Kicker J.D. Dellinger 85 6-2, 195, Jr. — OR — Spencer Evans 13 6-1, 200, Sr. (5) Punter Joe Schopper 31 6-0, 210, Sr. Kick Return D.J. Knox 1 5-7, 210, Sr. (5) Jackson Anthrop 33 5-11, 185, So. Punt Return Jackson Anthrop 33 5-11, 185, So. Leo 1. Kai Higgins 98 6-4, 255, Jr. 2. Robert McWilliams 31 6-4, 220, R-Fr. Defense Cornerback 1. Kenneth Major 20 6-0, 190, R-Fr. 2. Antonio Blackmon 14 6-0, 195, Sr. Strong-side Linebacker 1. Tobias Larry 30 6-1, 220, So. 2. Simeon Smiley 29 6-0, 205, So. Before the spring, Purdue had already anticipated being in a bind at outside linebacker, so much so that the staff moved T.J. Jallow from safety in a last-gasp effort to see if it could find a fit for the former J.C. transfer. It didn't pan out. By the summer, Jallow was an academic casualty and off the team. Now, Purdue has only Tobias Larry, and he's a still developing sophomore who probably needs more time. The only other option, and it's not ideal, is to play a base nickel, getting Simeon Smiley, the third safety, on the field more often. Perhaps that's OK vs. wide-open passing offenses, but against the best of the West, it could be a problem. It will be a steep challenge for Smiley to hold up as an every-down in-the-box player against Wisconsin and Iowa, for example. Tackle 1. Keiwan Jones 50 6-2, 280, Sr. (5) 2. Anthony Watts 44 6-4, 295, So. Weakside Linebacker 1. Markus Bailey 21 6-1, 235, Jr. 2. Cornel Jones 46 6-2, 240, So. Free Safety 1. Jacob Thieneman 41 6-1, 210, Sr. (5) 2. Brennan Thieneman 38 6-1, 200, So. Cornerback 1. Tim Cason 24 6-0, 195, Sr. (5) 2. Dedrick Mackey 1 5-11, 185, R-Fr. End 1. Giovanni Reviere 92 6-5, 270, R-Fr. 2. Jeff Marks 47 6-3, 265, Fr. Early last season, Keiwan Jones had worked his way into being a rotational player on the interior, playing a couple dozen snaps in the second game against Ohio. He was being effective too, with a couple tackles for loss. But an ACL injury followed soon after, sidelining him for the balance of the season and the spring. Now, the undersized tackle returns, but Purdue needs him to be more than a bit player. The Boilermakers need impact bodies on the interior of their D-line, where three of the top four players left after last season. Jones will certainly get a crack at being a starter. Nose Tackle 1. Lorenzo Neal 9 6-2, 315, Jr. 2. Ray Ellis 96 6-4, 305, Sr. Strong Safety 1. Navon Mosley 27 6-0, 195, Jr. 2. Simeon Smiley 29 6-0, 205, So. Middle Linebacker 1. Derrick Barnes 55 6-1, 240, So. 2. Cornel Jones 46 6-2, 240, So. GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 6 57