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spring. But there are options, both in numbers and attributes. Of the 15 receivers on the roster, eight are at least 6-foot-2. Of the 15, at least a handful claim to have run 40s in the 4.4s. "We have multiple options, and I feel if Coach Shoop puts us in the right (spots), anything can happen," junior Raheem Mostert said. "We're just concerned about being Tight ends coach Gerad Parker Even if they didn't realize it, Purdue fans already have seen Gerad Parker's work. When Marshall visited RossAde Stadium in 2012, Thundering Herd receiver Tommy Shuler caught 19 passes for 200 yards against the Boilermakers. Parker was his coach. Aaron Dobson may have only caught three balls that day for Marshall, but he was a second-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in April. "He brings a lot of things to the table," Purdue senior Gabe Holmes said. "He's been coaching big-time guys. He knows what it takes to get there. He's very vocal. His job is to get us there. "He knows how people think and doesn't settle for anything but the best." After playing receiver at Kentucky, Parker transitioned into coaching and has spent his brief career exclusively on the offensive side, coaching running backs and receivers at UT-Martin and Marshall. When Purdue had an opening for a tight ends coach, current director of football operations Tommy Cook suggested Parker to head coach Darrell Hazell. Cook played alongside Parker at Kentucky. "He just so happens to be my best friend, but he's one heck of a ball coach and recruiter," Cook said. "I think Coach Hazell saw that. I just gave him a name and a contact and let Gerad take it from there. They hit it off. In the coaching business and being in athletics, you want to do it with people you trust and people you know." Parker hadn't coached tight ends before, but his group will have a chance immediately to affect games in coordinator John Shoop's offense. Not only will Shoop run multiple tight end sets, but the position could be targeted to contribute receiving, as well as blocking. Parker is eager to get his group ready for the expanded role. "We've talked a lot about how everybody has a ceiling as far as their capabilities. We've got to get the most out of them and obviously continue to grow," Parker said. Parker also is Purdue's recruiting coordinator. — Stacy Clardie GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com one whole unit and making sure that everyone within the unit does their job and what they're supposed to do. "At the end of the day, the person who has technique is going to play better than the guy who just has speed or a guy who just has size. Basically, we're just pulling out the potential out of everyone, not just the speed and agility, but also the perfect routes and perfect technique." Macarthy, Shane Mikesky and Charles Torwudzo are the ones likely to get snaps at the X position. But newcomers Dan Monteroso, Myles Norwood and DeAngelo Yancey — all taller options — could be factors in the fall, too. Smaller speedsters B.J. Knauf, Danny Anthrop, Mostert and Gary Bush seem to be contenders to start in the slot. Bush is the only receiver on the roster with full-time starting experience. Of the combined 18 starts, Bush has 16 of them. He's also the leading returning receiver, catching 41 passes for 360 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns last season. But in this ever-changing climate, the experience and numbers The tight ends Fifth-year seniors 80 Patrick Bade 81 Sterling Carter Senior 86 Gabe Holmes* Junior 84 Justin Sinz Redshirt freshmen 3 Carlos Carvajal 85 Ryan Morris Freshman — Matt Burke * Projected starter 6-6 6-5 277 249 6-5 247 6-4 251 6-7 6-5 244 240 6-6 220 Gold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 • 23