Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/438308
52 ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 3 f PURDUE'S 2014 FRESHMAN CLASS Player Year Position Kirk Barron R-Fr. Center 2015 Outlook: Barron will compete to be Purdue's No. 2 center. Veteran Cameron Cermin could fill that role as well, though, if he's not needed at tackle. Ja'Whaun Bentley So. Linebacker 2015 Outlook: Bentley may be Purdue's best defensive player and looks like a budding star. David Blough R-Fr. Quarterback 2015 Outlook: Blough has a chance to factor significantly into the competition to be Purdue's No. 1 quarterback. Tim Cason R-Fr. Safety 2015 Outlook: Opportunities abound at safety, but Cason has older players in front of him he'll need to jump over to get on the field. Will Colmery R-Fr. Defensive lineman 2015 Outlook: It may depend on how Colmery's body develops this offseason and at what position he ultimately lands, but he will have opportunities. Trae Hart So. Wide receiver 2015 Outlook: Hart ended the season as a starter, but as Purdue gets healthier and deeper (ideally), he'll have to find his niche. Cole Herdman R-Fr. Tight end 2015 Outlook: By default as much as anything else, Herdman will have a chance next season to earn a significant role at a wide-open position. Keiwan Jones R-Fr. Defensive lineman 2015 Outlook: If Jones lands at nose tackle ultimately, Purdue has Ra'Zahn Howard and Ryan Watson back, so there's no rush to get him on the field. D.J. Knox So. Running back 2015 Outlook: The depth chart at running back clears out, making for a golden opportunity for Knox to earn a prom- inent, if not starting, role. Martesse Patterson R-Fr. Offensive guard 2015 Outlook: Patterson would seem to have a long way to go from motor and conditioning standpoints, but he's huge and talented. Gregory Phillips So. Wide receiver 2015 Outlook: Phillips will likely open the spring as a starter and have every chance to hold on to that role. Brandon Roberts R-Fr. Defensive back 2015 Outlook: Roberts' length and physicality will have him in the mix in the secondary, whether that's at corner or safety. Gelen Robinson So. Rush end 2015 Outlook: Robinson is a likely starter at the end of Purdue's line, where it needs to find a consistent pass rush. Bearooz Yacoobi R-Fr. Offensive tackle 2015 Outlook: The rangy offensive tackle looks the part, though it might take some time to add bulk and power. Depth is needed at offensive tackle. — Brian Neubert