GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 1 • 13
Cornerback
1. Anthony Brown 9
5-11, 192, Jr.
69 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 PBU, 1 FF*
With Frankie Williams moving
to safety, Brown's Purdue's
No. 1 cornerback, one who has
a good combination of speed
and size. He's more natural there than safety,
because he can focus only on one task: trying
to shut down a receiver. Hunte has played a
little 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*
Williams will likely fare well at
strong safety, a position that
Purdue says has some corner-
back-like tendencies. He's there,
of course, because of Taylor Richards' two-
game suspension. Gregory had a quiet camp,
not like the spring when he was flying around
hitting people. He's a work in progress.
2. Robert Gregory 7
6-2, 216, So.
Free Safety
1. Austin Logan 5
6-0, 200, So.
14 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 int.*
Logan gets the start at safety,
filling in for the half while
Feichter sits. The senior is
sidelined after his targeting
penalty in the second half of the '13 finale
against Indiana. But Logan's at least gotten a
bit of experience, having played as a rookie
last year.
2. Landon Feichter 44
6-0, 192, Sr. (5)
Cornerback
1. Antoine Lewis 23
5-10, 185, Sr. (5)
24 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU*
Although Lewis has played at
times the last couple seasons,
this is his first opportunity as an
every-down type of cornerback.
So the question is: will the playmaking ability
he's shown in short spurts hold up over a full
game? Only time will tell.
2. Leroy Clark 3
5-10, 187, So.
Rush end
1. Jalani Phillips 89
6-4, 265, Sr.
9 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 PBU*
Phillips spent much of the
second half of training camp
in and out of the lineup, deal-
ing with a shoulder stinger.
He's had a similar issue in the
past, leading to a bit of concern now. But
Ezechukwu looks like a good fit at rush end;
and if Phillips is limited, Gelen Robinson could
get snaps there, as well.
2. Danny Ezechukwu 36
6-2, 246, R-Fr.
Strongside Linebacker
1. Jimmy Herman 29
6-4, 230, So.
13 tackles*
Purdue likes Herman's length
and athleticism, thinking those
characteristics can help him
in space as Sam linebacker.
What doesn't it like? Herman's
inexperience. But that can only be resolved
in time, starting on Saturday. Garcia bounced
in the linebacker corps, but seems to have
settled on the strongside.
2. Andy James Garcia 42
6-0, 217, So.
Middle Linebacker
1. Joe Gilliam 39
6-1, 230, Sr. (5)
31 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 PBU, 1 FR*
Robinson's knee infection,
which kept him out of a couple
practices this week, will likely
at least limit him for Saturday,
if not keep him on the sideline
all together. At least, the Boilers have an expe-
rienced backup in Gilliam, who started most
of last season in the middle.
2. Sean Robinson 10
6-3, 239, Sr. (5) — OR —
2. Garrett Hudson 16
6-3, 230, R-Fr.
Weakside Linebacker
1. Ja'Whaun Bentley 35
6-2, 250, Fr.
None*
Bentley was likely to share
snaps with Gilliam, but it'll be
increased now. Gilliam has
shifted over to middle, filling in
for the injured Robinson, and giving Bentley
a chance to play the majority of weakside
snaps. He'll make mistakes, but big plays, too;
he's shown both during the last month of
practices.
2. Collin Link 40
6-2, 214, Sr. (5)
End
1. Ryan Russell 99
6-5, 273, Sr.
35 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks*
Russell enjoyed a good training camp – really,
he's had a good offseason, probably his best at
Purdue – but the Boilermakers need him to take
his impact from the practice field to the game
field. Purdue's not had much of a pass rush lately, but Russell
could go a long way toward helping.
2. Evan Panfil 95
6-4, 251, So.
Nose Tackle
1. Ryan Watson 92
6-2, 291, Jr.
8 tackles, 1 TFL*
With Howard having been out of much of
training camp due to a hip/groin injury, Watson
was still running with the first unit in the prac-
tices leading up to Game 1. Howard got some
first-team reps later int the week, but for a player who has
struggled with conditioning, that could be even a bigger issue
now. Outside the top two, Purdue is thin on depth.
2. Ra'Zahn Howard 14
6-3, 323, So.
Tackle
1. Jake Replogle 54
6-5, 269, So.
13 tackles, 1 TFL*
Purdue likes Replogle, particularly in his ability
to shed off blocks to get into the backfield. It's a
good skill for a defensive tackle, especially one
who is only a sophomore and is still thought to
be growing. Depth is a consideration here, however, as Rouse
has a bit of experience, but isn't thought to be as disruptive as
the starter.
2. Michael Rouse III 97
6-4, 314, Jr.
DEFENSE
VS
Western Michigan Offense
WR 84 Corey Davis 6-2, 205, So.
8 Daniel Braverman 5-10, 164, So.
FB 32 Donnie Ernsberger 6-2, 237, Fr.
28 Jonathan Russell 5-11, 210, Jr.
LT 70 Willie Beavers 6-5, 308, Jr.
64 Jon Jackson 6-2, 319, So.
LG 79 James Kristof 6-4, 290, Jr.
75 Zach Novoselsky 6-5, 295, Fr.
C 71 Jon Hoffing 6-5, 280, Sr. (5)
65 Jackson Day 6-3, 279, So.
RG 85 Mario Rodriguez 6-3, 265, Sr.
67 Curtis Doyle 6-5, 304, Fr.
RT 72 Taylor Moton 6-5, 291, So.
77 Chukwuma Okorafor 6-5, 275, Fr.
TE 89 Eric Boyden 6-4, 243, Jr.
88 Lucas Bezerra 6-4, 242, Fr.
WR 14 Darius Phillips 5-10, 179, R-Fr.
6 Kendrick Roberts 6-2, 205, Jr.
QB 11 Zach Terrell 6-1, 209, So.
12 Cam Thomas 6-2, 179, R-Fr.
OR 7 Chance Stewart 6-5, 220, Fr.
RB 22 Dareyon Chance 5-5, 161, Sr. (5)
31 Jarvion Franklin 6-0, 220, Fr.
* 2013 Season Statistics
GREEN: Change from previous projection
RED: Missed time due to injury
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— Kyle Charters
