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IllustrateD volume 24, issue 4 11 f f o o t b a l l r e c r u i t i n g BY KYLE CHARTERS AND BRIAN NEUBERT KIRK BARRON Center It was probably fitting that Kirk Barron was Pur- due's first commitment in the 2014 class, because he quickly became its social media spokesperson, try- ing to rally others to join him. "The role I wanted to take wasn't the face, but maybe one of the found- ing fathers of the 2014 recruiting class," said Barron, a mid-year enroll- ee, on signing day Feb. 5. "I just wanted to be active and get guys visiting Pur- due (and) meeting the coaching staff." Barron received an of- fer from the Boilermakers at their elite camp in mid- June, when Darrell Hazell pulled him aside for a brief conversation. His accep- tance was stalled only by his need to call the Ohio coaches — he had been committed to the Bobcats — to inform them he was flipping. Purdue was Barron's first Big Ten offer and the school's only a couple hours from his Mishaw- ka, Ind., home, a crucial consideration during his recruitment. Barron also had offers from Ball State and Massachusetts. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Barron, a center prospect, might not be a prototypical lineman physically, but he has the motor and will to be successful, most think. It's that intensity that he displayed in a couple of camps at Purdue, the last earning him an offer. "He's a dirt-tough in- dividual who can snap a football and really get to the second level," offen- sive line coach Jim Bridge said. "He'll add a lot to our locker room as well as to our football field." Even if doesn't play this season — Barron has set lofty goals, wanting to be an All-American as a freshman — he feels like he can bring an attitude to Purdue's locker room. "A mean streak," he said. "Then, there's the smart mental side of the game, like Robert Kugler. He's one of the smartest players I've played with, so learning from him is a bonus." For more on Barron and Purdue's O-line commit- ments, see Pages 22-23. JA'WHAUN BENTLEY Linebacker One of Purdue's most sought-after signees, Ja'Whaun Bentley had an offer list that includ- ed the likes of Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Iowa, West Virginia and more. All were likely drawn to the 6-2, 245-pound interi- or linebacker's physicality. "He's a physical, physi- cal human being," Purdue linebackers coach Marcus Freeman said. "He plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. You talk to him and he wants to be the next Ray Lewis, that's what he'll tell you, and he plays the game very similar, with the same passion, the same physicality. "He's got a great amount of energy, a great football knowledge. He's going to do great things for us here at Purdue." Bentley, a three-star Rivals.com recruit, was a standout for state cham- pion DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Md., collecting 113 tackles, including 26 for loss with four sacks. He also returned a touch- down for an interception last season. "(Purdue's) getting a heck of a player," DeMatha coach Elijah Brooks said. "He's been a two-time all-state per- former, over 100 tackles (each of) the past two seasons. He's relentless against the run, athletic enough to cover the pass. But more importantly, he's one of the best lead- MEET THE SIGNEES Barron Bentley