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22 IllustrateD volume 25, issue 1 f f o o t b a l l f e a t u r e : c a m e r o n p o s e y BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com C ameron Posey isn't supposed to be doing this, not now. He's not supposed to be driving hard off the line of scrimmage from his inside receiver spot, breaking down DBs with crisp route-running and finishing a play with his snatch- em hands during Purdue's first day of training camp. It hasn't even been six months since Posey had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee by using a graft from his left leg. He's supposed to still be rehabbing, being cautious of swell- ing and making too-drastic, quick cuts. In the least, he should be wear- ing a brace, making sure the ACL knee stays stable. Then Posey leaps, showing a nice spring in those surgically repaired knees, and reaches to grab a ball out of the air, takes a bit of a hit and hits the ground. He bounces up, trots back to the huddle and gets ready for another play. "It's like a coup or something like that, like he didn't actually tear his knee," quarterback Danny Etling said. But such displays didn't stop after the first day. Every day during the two-week camp, Posey made catches, made cuts, made blocks. Every day, he had coaches and teammates in awe. Posey can shake only his head in disbelief. Sure, his goal was to be back before camp, but to be ful- ly cleared from an ACL injury that quickly? "I'm still amazed at it," Posey said, smiling, about two weeks be- fore the season opener against Western Mich- igan. "I thought it was probably possible, but I didn't really b e - lieve it. I know the doctors, at the be- ginning, they'll say, 'Yeah, we think you can get back.' But, realistically, just knowing actual ACL surgeries, it takes most people at least eight months to get back. I figured I'd miss probably half the season. But just doing what the doctors said, making sure I was always on top of it, doing everything I could to get myself back in shape and get myself ready to go, I was able to do so and did it in a really fast manner. I'm just glad and thank- ful I was able to do that. "I still don't know how it hap- pened, but it did." And the Boilermakers are sure to benefit. Though only a sophomore, Posey is quickly rising among the receiv- ing ranks, gaining respect from teammates and coaches with a tire- less work ethic and quite a bit of tal- ent. Quarterback Aus- tin Appleby consid- ers Posey one the best route-runners in the league, using precise technique by trusting in his steps, an ability to break down with his chest over his knees and keeping his arms driving. B.J. Knauf says Posey is Purdue's most consistent receiver, labels his hands "great" and figures he's the most reliable person on the offense. Darrell Hazell raves about Posey's "feel," knowing how linebackers and safeties are dropping and being able to work inside to find openings in coverage. Secret Weapon Steady, resilient Posey pivotal piece Tom Campbell Cameron Posey may not be as flashy as some of his offensive teammates, but the sophomore is considered one of Purdue's most reliable.