GBI Magazine

Gold and Black Illustrated, Jan.-Feb. 2014

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EVAN PANFIL The rookie defensive end is going to be huge, by every account, at 6-6 and likely well on his way into the 270s, maybe beyond. And starting in 2014, he'll be experienced, also, which Purdue will hope helps him cash in sooner on the massive potential it sees in him. Panfil played the back half of the season in a reserve role, now situated to become a starter in the spring. "I'll definitely know what the Big Ten competition is like and the physicality of the opponent," Panfil said during the season. "I'll definitely know what to expect going into next August. We'll be bigger, stronger and faster." Panfil earned his place on the field in 2013 for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was need. But his raw talent, size and effort all played roles, too. "The thing that got him on the field was his ability in practice," Carter said. "You could see the great hustle, him not being timid and his ability to want to hit, to want contact, to chase the football. He's a guy with a lot of energy. He's eager, hungry, someone who wants to get out there and wants to be an impact player." Purdue believes he can be, starting now. Starting this past fall actually, when Panfil joined two other freshmen defensive linemen in coming out of redshirt midseason and seeing regular playing time from there on out. "It's great they've given me the opportunity and trusted me," he said after debuting. "I'm trying to go 100-percent out there and make the most of every opportunity that's given to me." The opportunity is really significant now: A chance to be a starter and every-down sort of player as just a second-year sophomore, a rarity among young defensive linemen. He'll have to prepare in the weight room this offseason, but would seem well on his way. "He will be big. He already has the size and length and has the height," Carter said. "He's going to gain some more weight here and I think he's going to be one of the better players that plays for us here at Purdue." Tom Campbell Evan Panfil might go from reserve to starter in a short period, as Purdue needs to rebuild its defensive line. He's got the size to play now. "He's an athletic kid," Freeman said, "and that's the one thing that sticks out to you. And he's smart. He grasps the defense quickly and understands what's going on. Even though he is light weight-wise, he's a physical football player." He just has to become better equipped to be. "Coming out of high school he was just 190 pounds," said Freeman, who recruited the Columbus native, "and now he's 200-plus. With a winter of lifting and eating the right stuff every day, he'll put the weight on before you know it." Freeman estimated Polk-Campbell, a former high school safety, finished the season around 205 pounds. JAKE REPLOGLE Another part of the youth movement on Purdue's defensive line, the rookie defensive end joined Howard and Panfil on the field midseason and played in the season's final seven games, impressing Carter with his effort and energy. "It wasn't that hard going 100-percent all the time," Replogle said, "because some of the upperclassmen like Bruce (Gaston) and Ryan Russell, they are always going DEZWAN POLK-CAMPBELL The tall, wiry and rangy 6-4 outside linebacker is fast, 100-percent and if you're not following them you're going long and athletic, but extremely thin and light, making it to get left behind. So I'm just following the leaders of the no secret what the biggest obstacle is between him and team." Replogle contributed almost immediately for the Boilerthe field. 36 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3 f

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