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GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 25 • 24 But the 300-pound Prince said he thinks he's made strides since last season, understanding the schemes and better grasping position coach Jim Bridge's techniques. In high school, Prince played from a two-point stance in a spread of- fense. Now, he's being asked to work from a three-point stance with a "grinding in the trenches" approach. It'll take some time to adjust. "It's a whole new world," Prince said. "You've got to get used to it or get run over by it. I think I'm definitely grasp- ing it more. I've got some issues with flexibility I'm trying to overcome, but other than that, I think I'm doing my best." Slowly progreSSing Robert Gregory has made at least one early impression from his new safety spot on secondary coach Taver Johnson. "He's a hitter," Johnson said after the team's first practice in full pads. "He made a couple plays (Thursday). We've got to clean his feet up. He's a little bit of fish out of water, first time playing the position. But I like him. A big guy like that that can come up and cover a lot of ground, that's the plan right now (to keep him at safety." Gregory feels like he may have found a home. After coming to Purdue as a quarter- back and then moving to running back, Gregory asked Coach Darrell Hazell dur- ing their meeting after this past season where he could best help the team. Hazell suggested safety, something Gregory had been thinking about over winter break. "I just wanted to get on the field," Gregory said. "Many people from back home, mentors, high school coaches and peo- ple that watched me grow- ing up, said safety would be a good look. With the size and the athletic ability, I have a chance of playing at the next level at this position, so I didn't have a problem with it. "I don't feel as if I contrib- uted as much as I could have last year playing the running back position, and we were kind of low on bodies as far as safeties go, so I figure, I'll come help them out with my ath- leticism and my body type and make it bust (out) that way." At 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, Gregory is Purdue's biggest option at safety. But it's un- likely he'll crack the lineup this season for significant playing time. Seniors Taylor Richards and Landon Feichter are re- turning multi-year starters, and sophomore Austin Logan got game snaps last season as a true freshman. Other than that, though, the Boilermakers don't have much depth. So if Gregory, a sophomore, can pick up the position quickly — he played some cornerback in high school — he could get a chance to earn significant playing in two years. richardS apologizeS Senior Taylor Richards pleaded Tom Campbell Players say they appreciate new secondary coach Taver Johnson's passionate but disciplined approach.