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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 3 51 f F O O T B A L L : 2 0 1 4 F R E S H M A N C L A S S BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com P urdue's 2014 recruiting class made an immediate impact for the Boilermakers, some of those who contributed doing so more than others. Freshman linebacker Ja'Whaun Bent- ley started every game as a rookie and was not only ready to play, but ready to stand out. David Hedelin, a junior college trans- fer, started the majority of the season after be- coming eligible to play in Week 4, experienc- ing some ups and downs, but more ups than downs, in his debut season. Freshman wide receivers Gregory Phil- lips and Trae Hart didn't put up huge numbers for an offense that struggled in the back half of the season, but for one reason or another, both finished the season as starters. Gelen Robinson played consistent- ly as a reserve at Purdue's rush end position and showed some flashes of promise, recording a pair of sacks. These players project to be greater contributors be- ginning in 2015, while those newcomers who didn't play in 2014 (or played very little), it's hoped, can help fill some holes beginning in the spring, players like David Blough, D.J. Knox and Cole Herdman on of- fense and Brandon Roberts on defense. Below, Gold and Black takes a position-by-position look at how the 2014 signees have, and could, fit in. QUARTERBACK You never know with quarterbacks, really, until they graduate from their redshirt-year scout-team role into more substantive opportunities, but by every account, David Blough has done all the right things at Pur- due so far. "He's an ultra-competitive guy and helps make our de- fense great. He's unbelievably high-energy, is ultra-smart and knows the offense as well as any quarterback in our meeting room," offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach John Shoop said. "When he's doing the scout team against the defense, you kind of see his moxie and his play- making ability. We're sure eager to get him to the spring and see if some of that carries over. He's got the ability to move around and has the ability to throw the ball on the move. He's having a good year and he's a wonderful guy." "Moxie" would seem like a good word. Listed at 6-foot-1, Blough certainly isn't the biggest quarterback nor the most authoritative pocket presence physically, with an arm that can probably best be de- scribed as good enough. But the Texan's intangibles have drawn admiration, his competitiveness, energy and ability to make plays with the ball that might not always seem there to be made, whether it be as a passer or a runner, his improvisational abilities being one of his defining traits. "(I play) a lot on instincts, just kind of reacting to what's going on," Blough said. "Coach Shoop says, 'I don't A YEAR LATER Boilermaker recruiting class from last season impacted team Tom Campbell David Blough impressed on Purdue's scout team last season and now could get a chance to become the Boilermakers' starter. He'll need a good spring.