IllustrateD volume 25, issue 1 35
f
f o o t b a l l : d e p t h c h a r t
Defense
Defensive end
1. Ryan Russell 99
6-5, 273, Sr.
35 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks*
Purdue needs Russell to
finally become the player
many thought (still think?)
he can be. He's showing
signs of taking that step,
being a disruptive member of the front line.
He's stated a goal of double-digit sacks, but
he's had only seven previously in his three-
year career. What's a reasonable expectation?
Maybe doubling that seven this year.
2. evan Panfil 95
6-4, 251, So.
nose Tackle
1. Ra'Zahn Howard 14
6-3, 323, So.
4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack,
2 PBU*
Howard missed a couple
weeks of practice after tak-
ing an awkward fall — he
nearly did the splits —
during a Day 3 session. But
before that, he had looked active, and most
important, in better condition. The groin and
hip injuries were improving toward the end
of camp. Watson might not be as big, but
he's quick. Undoubtedly he will have to spell
Howard at times during the season.
2. Ryan Watson 92
6-2, 291, Jr.
Defensive Tackle
1. Jake Replogle 54
6-5, 269, So.
13 tackles, 1 TFL*
Purdue has giant-sized
hopes for Replogle this
season. Why? The former
high school linebacker has
become closer to giant-sized.
He gained about 30 pounds
in the last year, allowing him to play inside,
and Howard has nothing but praise for the
second-year Boilermaker. Rouse has a ten-
dency to make practice-day plays, and can be
a swing man here and at nose.
2. Michael Rouse III 97
6-4, 314, Jr.
Rush end
1. Jalani Phillips
89
6-4, 265, Sr.
9 tackles, 4 TFL,
2 sacks, 2 PBU*
At the newly named
"rush end," which
had been called Jack
linebacker previously, Purdue thinks
Phillips can have a big season. It'll
need him to be active — it's required
of the position — chasing down the
ball anywhere on the field. It would
seem then the position could acquire
a high-volume of statistics, but
Phillips has never done that. Purdue
tried to build depth during camp, add-
ing Ezechukwu and Gelen Robinson.
2. Danny ezechukwu 36
6-2, 246, R-Fr.
strongside
Linebacker
1. Jimmy Herman
29
6-4, 230, So.
13 tackles*
Purdue feels secure
with Herman, which
is interesting con-
sidering he's played only sparingly
— and really just on special teams
— previously. But Greg Hudson loves
his athleticism and ability to play in
space, and Herman is physically more
imposing than a year ago. That should
help him when he gets down in the
box against Big Ten opponents. Garcia
has bounced around a bit, but looks to
have found a home on the strong side.
2. Andy James Garcia 42
6-0, 217, So.
Middle Linebacker
1. sean Robinson
10
6-3, 239, Sr. (5)
45 tackles, 2 TFL,
1 PBU*
Robinson has spent
half a season, plus
spring and now train-
ing camp at middle linebacker, allow-
ing him to grow comfortable with the
position. He seems a good fit, because
he can be physical without worrying
about lack of top-end speed. And he
can make up for the speed issue by
being smart about angles and pursuit.
Hudson is a walk-on but has grown
into a good-looking one; he'll at least
play on special teams.
2. Garrett Hudson 16
6-3, 230, R-Fr.
Weakside
Linebacker
1. Ja'Whaun
Bentley 35
6-2, 250, Fr.
None*
Bentley made a rapid
ascent up Purdue's
depth chart, going
from fourth team
on Day 1 to first team by the end of
the week. He was splitting repetitions
with Gilliam, one of the Boilermakers'
most experienced players, at the end
of camp. Bentley brings a physical
presence, something Purdue has been
missing for a number of years, it
seems, and he seems advanced from a
know-how perspective, as well.
2. Joe Gilliam 39
6-1, 230, Sr. (5)
Cornerback
1. Anthony Brown 9
5-11, 192, Jr.
69 tackles, 3 TFL,
3 PBU, 1 FF*
Brown played safety
as a sophomore,
filling in there for
the injured Landon
Feichter, and accu-
mulated a ton of tackles. But he looks
even better-suited to play cornerback,
where his physicality really seems
to show up. He's been a playmaker
during training camp. Hunte was
injured much of his freshman season,
and got out of shape. But he's been a
surprise in camp, and may be in line
to play in nickel packages.
2. Da'Wan Hunte 2
5-9, 175, R-Fr.
strong safety
1. frankie
Williams 24
5-9, 189, Jr.
61 tackles, 2 TFL,
2 int., 3 PBU*
Day 1 surprise:
Seeing Williams lined
up as a safety, rather
than his typical cornerback position.
He's doing so because Taylor Richards
is suspended the first two games of
the season following his offseason
arrest. Williams would likely be good at
about any DB spot but can succeed at
safety because he can cover, tackle and
communicate. Gregory moved to safety
in the spring, and looked good; he's an
option as a backup.
2. Robert Gregory 7
6-2, 216, So.
free safety
1. Landon feichter
44
6-0, 192, Sr. (5)
24 tackles, 1.5 TFL,
1 int., 1 PBU*
Feichter has had an
uneventful camp,
which is a good
thing considering his health over
the last year. He missed half of last
season with hand and leg injuries.
But he's good to go now, it seems.
Feichter brings leadership and an
ability to make things happen in the
back half, too. Logan could start Game
1, because Feichter will be out of the
first half vs. WMU because of target-
ing in the finale last season.
2. Austin Logan 5
6-0, 200, So.
Cornerback
1. Antoine Lewis
23
5-10, 185, Sr. (5)
24 tackles, 0.5 TFL,
1 PBU*
Lewis' experience
helps ease Purdue's
decision to slide
Williams over to safety. He's shown
an ability over the years to make big
plays and it's likely a reason why
he's getting this opportunity. The
Boilermakers are still looking for cor-
ner depth; Clark could get his changes
too, but had an up-and-down camp,
missing assignments at times. A
rookie could play, but none of Purdue's
three stepped forward during August.
2. Leroy Clark 3
5-10, 187, So.
Key * 2013 Season Statistics GREEN: Change from spring projection RED: Missed time due to injury
— Kyle Charters
