GBI Magazine

Gold and Black Illustrated, July-August 2014

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20 ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 f ing to push my teammates harder than anybody in the country, and when my number is called, I'm going to be ready to take this team to a championship. I don't make the decision of when that will be, but when it happens, I will be ready." Freshman David Blough likely will be on the sidelines redshirting this season, but coaches and teammates have raved about his moxie and intelligence. RUNNING BACKS There's been a shift in the depth chart. As the full-time starter in 2013, Hunt was given every chance to prove he could be what the Boilermakers' wanted: A complete back who not only had speed to break long runs but the power to pick up tough yards between the tackles. For various reasons, he didn't deliver as con- sistently as coaches would have liked in the run game, managing 464 yards on 123 carries (3.8 ypg). Partly because of that, Purdue shifted its focus in the spring to a little-used offensive player who only had been converted to a full-time running back the previous training camp. And Mostert blew up. Confidence bolstered by a remarkable track season that included four Big Ten sprint championships and trips to the NCAA meets, Mostert showcased his consid- erable abilities, using his speed to break runs consis- tently and also showing a physicality to take and deliver a pounding. "He really has an ability to lower his head and he's fast and strong and he can push a pile," Etling said. "That's what I saw this spring when he went live — he was really pushing the pile and pushing guys. Once he got contact, he might get hit at two yards, he might end up with four or five and he can really bring his own block in that sense and get us out of a second-and-long situation into a third-and- mid-range situation. "I think he's found his niche at running back." Mostert's spring perfor- INSIDE VIEW MUST STEP UP Could be a long list here after a season in which Pur- due struggled to compile yards and score points. But how about whomever ends up as the starting left tackle? Protecting the quarterback's blind side will be Priority No. 1, especially if the offense wants to take some deep shots. BREAKOUT PLAYERS Raheem Mostert better be — the Boilermakers are counting on it. Mostert likely will be the starting run- ning back after only making the move to the position last camp and getting minimal chances to play offense his first three seasons. But he appears to have a tough- ness, ability to break tackles and, clearly, the speed to be productive. IMPACT NEWCOMERS Junior college transfer offensive linemen David He- delin and Corey Clements will be expected to produce in Year 1, even if that may be a high expectation for a first-year Big Ten player. The Boilermakers desperately need help on the O-line, and if Clements and Hedelin don't respond, it could be a long season. — Stacy Clardie Tom Campbell Cameron Posey's availability early the season could be important for the offense. Though he will be only six months out from ACL surgery by the time camp starts, he is considered the team's best route-runner and potential playmaker. WIDE RECEIVERS Juniors 33 Danny Anthrop 6-0 180 87 Shane Mikesky 6-4 214 Sophomores 9 Dan Monteroso 6-3 193 14 Bilal Marshall 6-3 190 18 Cameron Posey* 6-1 180 7 DeAngelo Yancey* 6-2 218 83 B.J. Knauf* 5-10 183 Redshirt freshmen 6 Myles Norwood 6-0 175 81 Keenan Schon 5-9 179 Freshmen 15 Trae Hart 5-11 160 13 Gregory Phillips 5-11 180 * Projected starters

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