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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 71 f fastest guy, but I'm strong and I make plays. I'm a playmaker. I have enough speed, and I have burst. I'm not slow by any means. I can out-run people, but I can also use my strength and power and footwork a lot. I'm a downhill, smash-mouth runner." The 5-9, 200-plus-pound Rivals. com three-star back held offers from Toledo, Miami (Ohio), Ball State and others and interest from several Big Ten schools at the time of his early commitment. Matt McCann: A case can be made for McCann's commit- ment being the biggest Purdue's landed thus far. For one thing, literally. The offensive tackle from Bish- op Chatard is a 6-6 and more than 300 pounds, looking the part already of a Big Ten offensive lineman. For another reason, he was a battleground recruit of sorts for Purdue, which earned his commitment over of- fers from Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and others. Purdue's not enjoyed much of a recruiting presence in Indianapolis in recent seasons while Indiana has loaded its roster with players from the state's largest population center. So for the Boilermakers to win a head-to-head bat- tle in Indy bore some significance. Lastly, there's the sheer need on the offensive line, may- be Purdue's biggest question mark going into this season and the years that will follow. Ben Makowski: Purdue needs a long snapper to step in for the departing Jesse Schmitt and deemed the role important enough to dedicate a scholarship to, as the previous staff did with Schmitt. Makowski, of state power Penn High School in Misha- waka, emerged the winner at an open camp session snap- per try-out in early June and committed as soon as he was offered. Minnesota and Wisconsin had also expressed interest, but scholarships are rare for snappers. Rob Ennis: The New Jersey running back visited and immediately committed, surprising even himself and probably Purdue, which will recruit multiple running backs in this class and was happy to land its first so quickly. Ennis chose Purdue over an offer from Rutgers. The 5-10, 175-pounder claims 4.4-type speed and rep- resents a stark contrast to Jones in that he's smaller and more explosive. "I'm a one cut-and-go runner," Ennis said. Some schools recruited Ennis with DB or receiver in mind, but Purdue committed to him early as a running back, which helped it land him. With two running backs committed, Purdue could take even more at the position, with 6-1, 245-pound Ohio back Richard Worship remaining a priority, one who'd again be a contrast to the others already in the fold, due to his size. Andy Chelf: Hazell talks often about needing "tough guys," physical players who may not fit the Big Ten prototype on the surface but will be aggressive and driven "blue-collar" types. Chelf, Purdue's first defensive commitment for 2015, could fit that profile. Bob Rohrman Subaru 1600 South Creasy Lane Lafayette, IN 47905 765-449-8100 www.bobrohrmansubaru.com Fort Wayne Subaru 5000 Illinois Road Fort Wayne, IN 47905 260-432-4567 www.fortwaynesubaru.com Buy Subaru and keep Indiana driving. Lafayette, Indiana built 2012 Subaru Legacy Offensive tackle Matt McCann was not only a key addition for his ability and Purdue's need at his position, but also because it was a big recruiting win for the Boilermakers in Indianapolis.