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14 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 4 f pounds might not do jus- tice to the enormity of the individual. According to Shawn Gloden, the offensive line coach at Mesa Communi- ty College, Clements was closer to 410 at the time of his commitment to Pur- due, just before signing day in early February. "If we can get him down to 380, 390, he'll be good," Gloden said, pointing out that Clements was near 500 pounds when he came to Mesa a few years ago. "Already for his size, he moves really well. It's just about getting him back in shape; he's been off the last two months. He went home for Christmas and mom was feeding him. It's always interesting to see what happens with the guys. But we'll get him back down and he'll do well. "Everyone has concerns because he is so big, but we ran a fast-paced of- fense. We ran no-huddles and we averaged a play about every 16 seconds and Corey got every snap. We averaged about 85-90 plays a game. He gets it done." The big man fills a big need for Purdue, giving the Boilermakers a junior college offensive tackle, perhaps more ready-made to play immediately. Cle- ments chose Purdue the weekend before signing day, soon after receiving his offer on a visit, over UAB, South Florida and North Texas. With only two years of eligibility, the Birming- ham, Ala., native is hop- ing to play right away, and he'll be afforded every op- portunity at Purdue. "I didn't want to go somewhere and sit down," he said. Clements, a three- star Rivals.com prospect and NJCAA second-team All-American, projects as a right tackle at Purdue, the same position he played for the Thunderbirds. He's a big, road-grading blocker but feels his bas- ketball background — he's played hoops since the third grade — helps his agility. "He doesn't have a whole bunch of high school experience," said Bridge, Purdue's O-line coach. "He was a basket- ball player out of Birming- ham and ended up getting sent to junior college to become a better player because he has a football player's body. "And they did a great job with him at Mesa. For a big guy, he can move and really strike people." For more on Clements and Purdue's offensive line, see Pages 22-23. WILL COLMERY Defensive End Will Colmery spent his winter in the weight room, rather than on a basketball court. It wasn't an easy deci- sion, but the 6-5 defensive end felt it was the right thing to do as he prepares to be a Boilermaker. As of mid-February, he reported having gained 10 pounds during the offseason, up to about 260. "I think it gave me a good opportunity," said Colmery, a multi-sport star at Nazareth Acade- my in LaGrange Park, Ill. "Obviously, I would have Colmery Defensive end prospect Will Colmery is bulking up this off- season, hoping that gives him a chance to play early. Clements