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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5 35 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5 35 E ven with the tweaks to the tempo of the offense, junior quarterback Austin Appleby was in com- mand from Day 1 of spring ball, direct- ing players to the correct spots, clearly signaling shifts and play calls. His ca- dence can be a significant weapon — once the rest of the offensive players learn not to jump — and will buy Purdue bursts of five yards in the fall. He should be the unquestioned starter heading into fall. … Clearly, there's a lack of speed in the backfield. But if backs can make up for that in physicality by breaking tackles and imposing their will inside the tackles, which they showed signs of this spring, perhaps Purdue can live with that exchange. Still a question, though, whether this small stable of backs can handle the punishment that'll be deliv- ered. D.J. Knox, generously listed at 5-foot-7, got clocked by Ja'Whaun Bentley this spring and it knocked him out for a week. … DeAngelo Yancey appears to have woken up. The offense desperately needed that to happen. As a freshman, he showed flashes of in- credible potential before dropping off so far last season, he got benched. But a renewed commitment to train- ing, getting in the playbook and working to earn a role — not as- suming it'd be handed to him, as he did last season — has signaled a significant change. He wasn't only sure-handed this spring, he went up and caught balls with authority. That's a must at the X spot. … After being a weakness last season, the receiving corps looked after the spring like it can deliver with quality depth. Gregory Phillips and Bilal Marshall emerged as ball-snatchers who can be physical blockers down- field, too, and Cameron Posey is as reliable and effective a route-runner the team has. And that's not even adding currently rehabbing Danny Anthrop to the mix. … Robert Kugler is the perfect model of a captain. Not only does he lead by example — rarely miss- ing a practice rep and doing each one the way coaches ask — but he's also a fiery leader who isn't afraid to demand accountability from teammates. He's the most important player on the offense. Scouting The Offense Analysis — Stacy Clardie