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60 ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 3 f had it but you see some of those things on the practice field and the game field that really open your eyes. He is really strong and he plays with a good motor. That is something that will help him be successful if he is at rush end or linebacker. If you play with a good motor and you have a lot of power, you will be successful." It was an adjustment for Robinson, going from a role in high school where he was basically asked to line up wherever, but mostly at defensive end, then just chase the quarterback or the ball. In college, a complex defense and new role awaited him. "He is where you expect a freshman to be mentally," Freeman said. "Physically you aren't worried about it, but mentally he had to do some catching up where all fresh- men have to. He's doing well for his age, though. "He has tremendous upside. He's only beginning to scratch the surface of where he can go. I don't even think he understands how good he can be." Robinson will have a chance to show it next season. With senior rush end Jalani Phillips gone, the position is Robinson's to lose. "I still like putting my hand down and getting after the quarterback," Robinson said. "Just being on the edges, it's a lot different from being a linebacker. It's not going to be as challenging because it's (more) weakside rush end than linebacker, so it's also more of my natural position because I've been a defensive lineman most of my life." LINEBACKER Purdue had high hopes for Ja'Whaun Bentley com- ing into the season. But even the coaches could not have seen this coming. Bentley started every game for Purdue as a true freshman — that doesn't happen often — and emerged as one of the most impactful defensive freshmen in the Big Ten, if not college football. ESPN.com named him a True Freshman All-American after he made 76 tackles, recov- ered three fumbles and emerged as one of Purdue's best defensive players, if not its best. "There aren't many kids you see on film (in recruit- ing) that you say, 'He is capable of starting in the Big Ten, Week 1, of his freshman year,' " Freeman said. "I don't see many kids that are able to do that. I thought on film that he was pretty good; he had some natural ability and was physical. It is such a mental game as a freshman, and for a kid to get it this fast, it takes talent and a lot of passion to get to that level." Bentley was immediately one of the most physical- ly equipped linebackers Purdue's had in years, as an 18-year-old no less, a 250-plus-pound force whose big- gest adjustments came simply with know-how, whereas most young players at the position normally struggle with physical hurdles. "He has the ability to get better and really be a special play- er in the future," Freeman said. "He's a solid player right now but he has a lot of work to do until his ability can take him where it can take him." Bentley was forced into a leadership role of sorts right away, as well. When senior Sean Robinson was lost for the season to a knee injury at Illinois, Bentley moved from outside Tom Campbell Middle lineabacker Ja'Whaun Bentley was one of Purdue's best freshman in years, to the point he earned national recognition.