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total defense, allowing nearly 416 yards per game; and in the red zone, Purdue was weak, allowing opponents to score in all but six of their 52 trips inside the 20. That percentage ranked 11th. The defense returns six full-time starters from that group, the major personnel losses being tackle Kawann Short and cornerback Josh Johnson. And it has three others back who started at least five games last year. But that seems of little relevance to Hudson, who is in his first season as part of Darrell Hazell's staff after spending the last three years as Florida State's linebackers coach. He watched little film of last season, instead choosing to put his stamp on this team. "I think we can definitely have an aggressive identity," safety Taylor Richards said. "Everybody running to the ball, attacking and making the plays that we should. We can definitely be known as an aggressive defense, one with a lot of intensity." But it's void of stars, although tackle Bruce Gaston and cornerback Ricardo Allen could make arguments to have such status. Because of that, Hudson says it's critical Purdue plays as a unit in 2013 with each piece moving together to form a solid front. Chemistry is key, so developing it was an integral part of Purdue's spring. During one practice in April, Hudson charged each player with complimenting another at least 10 times, hoping to GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com THE DEFENSIVE LINE Fifth-year Tom Campbell Bruce Gaston could be the anchor of Purdue's defense, but he'll have to get over the injury issues that have slowed him. Seniors 56 Eric McDaniel 6-2 55 Brandon Taylor 6-1 Seniors 90 Bruce Gaston* 6-2 61 Ryan Isaac 6-5 91 Greg Latta* 6-6 Juniors 89 Jalani Phillips 6-4 99 Ryan Russell* 6-5 48 Jules Williams^ 6-3 Sophomores 97 Michael Rouse III 6-4 92 Ryan Watson* 6-3 Redshirt Freshmen 96 Ryan DeBusk 6-1 95 Will Schott 6-4 Freshmen 62 Thomas Brown 6-1 — Johnny Daniels 6-5 — Ra'Zahn Howard 6-4 — Antoine Miles^ 6-3 — Evan Panfil 6-5 — Jake Replogle 6-4 51 John Strauser 6-4 * Projected starters ^ Also could line up as a OLB 300 DT 295 DT 303 DT 294 DT 265 DE 260 DE 275 DE 243 DE 295 DT 294 DT 235 DE 200 DE 312 255 315 250 240 240 245 DT DT DT DE DE DE DE generate better communication and camaraderie. on the person next to you," junior "He always preaches to us that linebacker Sean Robinson said. you can expect one thing from your "I really like that. On our defense, team, and that's that you can count Gold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 • 35