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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 23 f It's just tough. Not being healthy takes a toll. As long as I can keep my health in line, I'll be something to watch out for." With Knauf out in the spring, Anthrop got more snaps. Anthrop didn't catch the ball consistently enough, which is an is- sue, but his speed can make him danger- ous in the open field. Hazell is convinced Anthrop can have a huge season when he's not the focal point, like he was in the spring. TIGHT ENDS Sinz wouldn't mind a new personnel grouping. How about a three-tight end set that in- cludes three fifth-year seniors with Sinz, Holmes and Macarthy? The Boilermakers actually did have that many tight ends on the field at points in 2013, just not quite the caliber of the current group. For this new grouping to take place, it assumes all are eligible and healthy by camp. Holmes needed to pass a class in the summer to return to the team after missing the spring because of academics, and Macarthy spent the offseason recovering from a labral tear and dislocat- ed shoulder suffered during a scrimmage in the spring. But Sinz is confident Holmes will be on the field and Macarthy will be good to go by August, and he thinks that could be trouble for defenses. "We think if we're all three healthy and playing to our capabilities that there's no reason why we're not the best tight end group in the conference," said Sinz, the proven one of the group. "That's the mentality we take in the film room, during (summer) workouts and then obviously when it matters most on the football field. That's obviously our mentality and what we think of ourselves. You can think about yourselves however you want, you have to actually go out and do it, too. But that's certainly where we are at right now. That's how we're preparing ourselves so that we never get out- played by basically anyone on the field, our opposing tight ends and the other defense as well. "We certainly think it can be a strong point and we're excited to all get back together and show what we can do as a full-strength unit." There certainly seems to be a good mix. Sinz was the team's receptions leader last season with 41 catches — nine ahead of the top wide receiver — and he emerged as perhaps Purdue's most reliable player. After Holmes suffered a season-ending injury before the third game, Sinz hardly came off the field. A former quarterback and a coach's son, Sinz rarely makes mistakes because of his adept knowledge, high football IQ and sterling technique. He's also versatile. Sinz can anchor a run play from the line or detach to the slot and be a steady pass-catcher and is trusted to make plays in any spot. "Steady," Appleby said of the favorite tight end tar- get. "When it's third down and you need a play, you can count on Justin Sinz being where he needs to be and being open, and he will make the play. That's all he does. "All he does is everything right. It's as simple as that." Holmes is an enticing physical specimen at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds who can block defensive ends, stretch the field and can catch the intermediate to short passes. Now, he just needs to deliver on his seemingly unlimit- ed potential. Macarthy is the newbie to the group, making the switch from receiver to the "hybrid" position in spring ball. He proved to be a quick study, taking advantage of some matchups against linebackers in the passing Tom Campbell Fifth-year senior tight end Justin Sinz didn't only lead Purdue in receptions last season, he also cemented his status as one of the team's steadiest, most reliable players.