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22 ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 f still, in inexperience. There isn't a senior in the group, and no one has started in more than seven games in their career. But they're unique in skill set at least, a mix that Knauf likes. "Across the board, we're pretty different, but each of us holds a key value that some of the other receivers don't exactly have," Knauf said. "I can't wait to have us all healthy again and have the offense running to where we can really build a bond with Danny." Yancey impressed coaches from the start, and it re- sulted in more snaps than any other receiver. He had nearly 450 in 2013, and ultimately used those reps to lead the group with 32 catches and 546 yards. But he certainly looked like a true freshman, at times show- ing potential to dominate defensive backs by using his size and ability to leap and snatch balls from their high point, but, in others, being unable to consistently win one-on-one matchups. "The most important thing I learned is you don't get second chances," Yancey said. "You get one time, and you're done. The game is so much faster than high school, so I had to adjust real quick. I learned that peo- ple sometimes are going to depend on you, even though you're young. So I had to grow up real fast." Posey was the second-leading receiver, catching 26 balls for 297 yards, and generally was the most reli- able of the group in terms of his sharp route-running, catching and blocking. But he tore the ACL in his right knee in February, and though he reported to be ahead of schedule in May and intending to be ready for training camp, that'd put him only six months out from surgery. His presence could be critical to the corps, though Posey said he was impressed with the play of Monteroso in his absence during the spring. Knauf could be the most intriguing player of the bunch with a mix of toughness and speed few others in the group have. But, so far, he hasn't been able to stay healthy. During his redshirt season, he was nursing a broken bone in his back. In the first game last season, he in- jured his groin. He continued to play, but then an off- field incident got him suspended for two games and when he came back, he suffered a high-ankle sprain against Penn State that ended his season. Afterward, he found out the severity of the groin injury, had surgery and slowly made his way back to health in the offseason. "I know what my potential is and what I can do, but so far, I don't think I played one game healthy," Knauf said. "As long as I'm healthy and mentally prepared, I think I'll be a much greater help than the role I played last year. TIGHT ENDS COACH GERAD PARKER B efore arriving in West Lafayette, Gerad Parker hadn't coached tight ends. But he quickly infused a high standard for Purdue's group, which has been hit hard by injury in Parker's short time, losing two players to ACLs, another to a season-ending wrist injury and another to a shoulder injury. Through it all, Parker has coached with the same fervor, often quick to jump in drills during practice to personally demonstrate for young players new to tech- niques or pulling older ones aside to break down nu- ances of a play. "He demands a lot from you and he demands a lot from us," fifth-year senior Justin Sinz said. "If it's not perfectly right, he'll not just tell us, but he'll offer sug- gestions or coaching points to get us there and holds us accountable on and off the field to be guys the team can look to as leaders and are doing it the right way and playing really well. "I really like his coaching style. He really gets you to play well for yourself, play well for everything you repre- sent and play well for the university and the team you learn to love." For now, Parker still is growing and learning as a young coach. He's spent the early part of his career ex- clusively on the offensive side of the ball, coaching run- ning backs, receivers and now tight ends after playing receiver at Kentucky. "He's a great motivator. He's a great Xs and Os guy," Sinz said. "I think down the line, there's definitely po- tential for him being a big-time college football or pro- fessional football coach." Parker also serves as Purdue's recruiting coordina- tor. — Stacy Clardie