f o o t b a l l :
d e p t h
c h a r t
Defensive End
1. Greg Latta 91
Defense
6-5, 260, Sr.
12 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack,
1 PBU*
Latta's showed up often
during training camp, creating pressure in the backfield
and getting a few sacks. Coaches seem enamored with his upside, while also acknowledging that he might make mistakes due to his
inexperience. Williams is in line to be Purdue's
"Jack," a hybrid end/linebacker who could play
in several packages.
2. Jules Williams 48
Defensive Tackle
1. Bruce Gaston Jr. 90
Watson played in nine games
last season, but probably only
for a dozen or so snaps total.
Still, he feels the experience,
however minimal, gives him a boost this season. He's gained needed weight and strength,
putting him in position to play significantly.
Coaches have been happy with McDaniel in a
backup role.
Gaston spent the last four
days of training camp in a
red pinnie, due to a hamstring injury. But it wasn't thought to be serious enough to last into the season. When in,
he's been disruptive to the offensive line often.
Isaac, a former starter at end, took snaps in
Gaston's place.
6-2, 306, So.
2 tackles*
2. Eric McDaniel 98
6-2, 310, Sr. (5)
6-3, 245, Jr.
Defensive End
1. Ryan Russell 99
Defensive Tackle
1. Ryan Watson 92
Russell's thought to
be ready to capitalize
on his immense
potential, but he
needs to show it on the field, and he
understands that. With his combination
of size and speed, he could be quite a
pain to offenses. Phillips finished camp
with a flourish, registering multiple
"sacks" during the jersey scrimmage.
It is production that needs to carry over
to the season.
2. Jalani Phillips 89
6-4, 256, Jr.
2. Ryan Isaac 61
6-4, 292, Sr.
1. Joe Gilliam 39
Strongside
Linebacker
1. Andy James
Garcia 2
6-5, 270, Jr.
30 tackles, 7.5 TFL,
3 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FR*
6-2, 310, Sr.
26 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 FR, 2
FF*
Weakside
Linebacker
1. Sean Robinson 10
6-1, 225, Jr.
53 tackles, 2.5 TFL,
1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 FF*
6-0, 218, R-Fr.
None*
Gilliam's left pinkie
injury kept him out
of camp for the last
Toward the end of
week-and-a-half, but
training camp, the
he was thought to be
No. 1 LB on the
on track to potentially play in the openstrongside had yet to be determined,
but two top candidates emerged. Garcia er. He's needed. Without him, Herman
has gotten a bulk of the first-team
took most of the first-team snaps in
snaps, and while he has good upside
the first week of camp and Williams
did for the second. They give different because of his athleticism, he's still
looks: Garcia being smaller but quicker, undersized.
and Williams having more of a physical
presence.
2. Jimmy Herman 29
6-4, 220, R-Fr.
— OR —
2. Armstead Williams 31
6-2, 230, So.
Will Lucas 45
5-11, 236, Sr.
6-3, 240, Jr.
27 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 3
PBU*
While the other
two LB spots are
undecided, due to
competition and injury, Robinson
appears solidly set on the weakside. He
was strongside during the spring but
switched because coaches felt he was
better suited to play more in the box,
rather than chasing around tight ends
or slot receivers.
2. Will Lucas 45
5-11, 236, Sr.
Middle Linebacker
Cornerback
1. Ricardo Allen 21
Safety
1. Taylor Richards 4
5-9, 186, Sr.
44 tackles, 4 TFL,
1 sack, 1 int., 3 PBU,
1 FF*
Safety
1. Landon Feichter
44
5-10, 192, Jr.
47 tackles, 0.5 TFL,
0.5 sacks, 6 PBU,
1 punt blk.*
Cornerback
1. Frankie Williams
24
Those issues that
plagued Williams as
a freshman, mainly getting eaten up
on play action and pump fakes haven't
been as evident during training camp.
Although not big by corner measures,
he has the tools, it appears, to play
a physical style of cornerback. Lewis
seems to have a knack for making
plays.
6-0, 188 Jr.
76 tackles, 2 TFL,
4 int., 3 PBU*
5-9, 185, So.
45 tackles, 1 TFL,
2 int., 11 PBU
Allen's had a good
camp, as has the rest
of the secondary it appears. He's wanted to rebound from a sub-par 2012, and
part of that is staying healthy, something he hadn't done. But, he's had no
issues lately. Harris is battling Antoine
Lewis for the fifth DB spot; both will
likely play.
After a year of
starting experience,
Richards is being relied upon to be
an overseer of the defense, helping in
pass coverage mainly but also jumping
the line to support against the run.
There's little depth at safety, with
Feichter, a walk-on, getting most of the
No. 2 reps in camp.
Feichter has emerged
as a leader during
training camp, routinely encouraging
— or yelling at — his teammates
to get better. A little more strength
this season should help him hold up
better in the Big Ten. Brown is playing
safety exclusively now after switching
between it and corner as a freshman.
2. Normondo Harris 1
2. Evan Feichter 27
2. Anthony Brown 9
6-0, 180, Sr.
6-0, 187, R-Fr.
Key * 2012 Season Statistics GREEN: Change from preview projection
36
IllustrateD volume 24, issue 1
5-11, 192, So.
RED: Missed time due to injury
2. Antoine Lewis 26
5-10, 185, Jr.
— Kyle Charters
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