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Inside View Must step up With coordinator John Shoop's emphasis on establishing a running game, junior Akeem Hunt will be counted on immediately to be productive. Hunt's shown he can be stellar as a seldomly used back. But can he hold up to the pounding of a full-time back? If he doesn't, there will be several youngsters waiting for their shot. Breakout players Dolapo Macarthy's physical tools alone — the size, athleticism and decent speed — would seem to have him primed to burst onto the scene as Purdue's best receiver. But he doesn't just pass the look test. He uses his big, strong hands to reach out and snatch passes and showed consistent ability to do so during the spring. Macarthy, whose road to West Lafayette was winding and bumpy, also impresses with a willingness to work and unselfishness. It'd be a shock if he doesn't emerge quickly as a go-to player. Impact Newcomers With so few returning starters back at the skill positions, the freshmen will have plenty of chances to get on the field this fall. Danny Etling showed enough poise in the pocket and zip on the ball in one semester to surge into the discussion of becoming the starting quarterback. Take your pick among the bevy of freshmen running backs who could emerge. With no proven depth at the position, Keith Byars II, Dalyn Dawkins, Keyante Green and David Yancey could all get a chance for carries in Week 1 and give Shoop some variety in skill sets. Don't be surprised if 6-foot-3 receiver Dan Monteroso is getting consistent snaps early in the season. He quickly impressed teammates with his knowledge of the offense and route-running in the summer. — Stacy Clardie GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com "I definitely have been through the battles and I've had my ups and downs and I've seen a lot of things during my career, so that may weigh in somehow there," said Henry, offering up a slight concession before returning to his typical team speak about how it will take all of the QBs to be successful. Macarthy has no such reservations speaking about Henry's talent and readiness to be under center in Week 1 and beyond. Macarthy said Henry sets himself apart from the rest of the group because he has what Etling and Appleby don't: Game experience. But Macarthy also likes Henry's other qualities. "It's fitting for Rob to be the guy," Macarthy said. "He's a phenomenal leader. He's got all the talent. He's got all the ability. He's smart. He's savvy. He's poised, and he's got experience. "With his experience, his decision-making, the game has slowed down for him a lot. Nothing seems to ever rattle Rob. He never gets wide-eyed. He's in the huddle, he's always poised. He slows it down so he makes you feel comfortable. He's a great leader." And, as Henry points out, he's never really been allowed to showcase his true abilities. Under offensive coordinator Gary Nord, Henry was utilized as more of an option quarterback. "I've always had confidence in myself as a passer," Henry said. "I guess people kind of form their opinion based on what they saw on the field, but anything I did on the field was simply executing what I was asked to do. So maybe people developed their opinion of me as strictly being a running quarterback, but that's not necessarily the case. We're basically told what to do, and that's what I did, especially last year." Purdue's quarterbacks will have more opportunities to showcase deep balls this season in Shoop's offense, which he hopes will produce big plays from the play-action game downfield. Etling certainly has the arm to sling it. Hazell said Etling has an "A-minus to B-plus" arm. Perhaps the best part is he doesn't need much room to get the ball away either, Shoop said. And Etling has had experience throwing in a collapsing pocket. He didn't put up gaudy numbers as a senior at Terre Haute South — about 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns — largeGold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 • 17