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12 IllustrateD volume 25, issue 1 f Howard and Jake Replogle. Replogle's explosive first step caused problems for Purdue's O-line all camp, and for the three days Howard was healthy, he showed up in a major way, too. "Until Ra'Zahn got hurt, he was an animal," linebacker Sean Robinson said. "He was just a freak up front. And the offensive line guys will tell you, too. He was playing nasty and physical and dirty, but that's what we need. We need a guy up front to be that physical presence. "That (position group) can be huge for us. Every play starts up front. Those guys in that room have the ca- pability and athleticism to win games for us, those four guys. They have to step up to that challenge, which I'm sure they will." The better pressure generated, the more potential opportunities elsewhere, and the entire defense seemed to do a better job of swarming to the ball during camp and creating plays. The linebackers, boosted by fresh- men, appeared to play with more of a physical edge, and the secondary was ballhawking, getting in the dou- ble-digit interception range with 7-on-7 and team reps. "It's knowing your assignments," Russell said. "When you're not really sure where you're supposed to be or how you fit in the scheme, you can't execute it to the full potential of your ability. You don't run as fast because you're unsure, so just being more comfortable in the scheme definitely lets us execute faster and use more power and explosiveness." EmErging on thE EdgE Purdue coaches were determined to let senior Jack DeBoef try to win the starting left tackle job. But when DeBoef followed an iffy spring with another pass-protec- tion-struggling start of camp, the rising rookiEs Purdue hasn't had a freshman start at linebacker since 2010. There's a good chance it will in 2014. J a ' W h a u n Bentley came to campus as a ready- made 'backer physi- cally, checking in at 253 pounds with only 12 percent body fat before camp started, and he impressed with his willingness to play to that size. But, perhaps more surprising, Bentley quickly absorbed the defense, transferring what he learned in the meeting rooms onto the field, and that's what allowed him to get in a po- sition to potentially start. Just ask fellow linebacker Gelen Robinson. Robinson similarly looks the part, but he's appeared more raw and slower to grasp the de- fense, perhaps because he played mostly a rush end-type position in high school. It's a spot Robinson could ultimately land in at Purdue, but he has work to do. At least three offensive players — receivers Gregory Phillips and Trae Hart and running back D.J. Knox — could see the field as rook- ies. Phillips made an impression with his freakish work ethic, enlisting classmates to his own tailored 5 a.m. workouts in the summer, and busi- nesslike approach. He's always striving to improve, soaking in receivers coach Kevin Sherman's advice and working to apply it immediately. And it doesn't appear he ever gives up on a play, an element that has and will continue to push sophomore starter DeAngelo Yancey. Hart, who is far from being big enough to play full-time but still deliv- ered the hit of the jersey scrimmage, is fighting for a spot in the receiving rotation. He was thought initially to be an option as a punt returner, but Purdue likely will go with an older player there this season. Knox, an explosive, diminutive back, is in the mix to back up top two backs Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert. — Stacy Clardie Tom Campbell Ja'Whaun Bentley moved up the depth chart quickly in his first training camp and has a chance to be Purdue's starter at weakside linebacker in the opener.