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20 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 4 f on every time, no matter what. He said that's what he grades first: placement. He's picky and I'm picky too. "I have no doubt in my mind that I'm going to start. I don't know who's in front of me at this point, I don't know if they are go- ing to get another walk-on or if (kickoff man) Thom- as Meadows is even going to punt next year. I hate to sound cocky, but I just don't care. I'm ready to go." For more on McGehee, see Page 26. MARTESSE PATTERSON Offensive Lineman Martesse Patterson was asked what kind of player he sees himself becoming. "A Pro Bowler," he said. "I just have to work hard and go get it." Any such thing is obvi- ously a long way off, but the offensive lineman from Columbus' Mari- on-Franklin High School is clearly heading to Pur- due with confidence, a good thing considering his potential importance for its offensive line. Patterson, listed at 6-5, 320-plus pounds, will likely start off his Purdue career as a guard. Where he ultimately winds up, or how many positions he plays in his career in West Lafayette, remains to be seen. "You're look at a guy who adds five-position depth to what we're try- ing to build here," said Bridge, Purdue's offen- sive line coach. Translation: Patterson can play any position on the offensive line. "I can play defense, too," Patterson said. Some schools did look at Patterson early in the recruiting process as a defensive tackle. At Purdue, he'll be an offensive player, barring anything dramatic and unforeseen. "He's a mean guy, a road grader," Bridge said, "and when you see him get after people, he's a finisher." Bridge said he likes Patterson's flexibility, also, for a player so big and wide. A Chicago native who went to high school in Co- lumbus, Patterson chose Purdue, where he attend- ed camp in the summer, over offers from Illinois, Indiana, Cincinnati and numerous MAC schools, as well as continued inter- est from Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan, Patterson said. "I feel like I could start as a true freshman if I work really hard," Patterson said. Rivals.com rates Pat- terson as a three-star prospect and the No. 66 offensive guard nation- ally in the 2014 signing class. For more on Patterson and offensive line commit- ments, see Pages 22-23. GREGORY PHILLIPS Wide Receiver One of Purdue's first commitments, Georgia receiver Gregory Phil- lips decided quickly and sight-unseen in the summer. "The thing I like about Greg is his great work ethic and his tough- ness," said Purdue wide receivers coach Kevin Sherman, who recruited Phillips. "I think that's something we need to improve upon in our re- ceiver room." As a player, the 6-foot, 180-pounder from Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Ga., will play outside receiver. "They told me I'd play the Z receiver and they liked my explosiveness," said Phillips, a product of the same high school that sent linebacker Dan- ny Ezechukwu to Purdue a year ago. "… They liked my route-running, my hands, my ability to do things with the ball in my hands." The last part is what Purdue seems to be most enthusiastic about. As with Hart, the coach- ing staff hopes Phillips can bring some big-play punch to a Boilermaker offense that lacked it in 2013. "We want to create plays and he's another productive guy with the ball in his hands after the catch," Sherman said. Phillips Patterson McGehee