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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5 42 smaller class). We have to be very, very sure about who we offer and sure of the players we already have on our roster and in knowing how many we need to take at each po- sition." Coaches always know their num- bers better than a printed roster may show, but said roster shows the Boilermakers with just 12 se- niors on scholarship and the ros- ter, as is, pushing its 85-man limit. Coach Darrell Hazell, though, said Purdue is two under that lim- it, then adds that two "marquee" recruits could still be added to next year's team. Either way, Purdue's numbers will be small for 2016, atypically small, actually. It's not all that often that re- cruiting classes don't wind up in the vicinity of 20 players, but a lot would have to happen between now and February, it would appear, for that to happen, putting the onus for Purdue on getting every single scholarship right and getting the best possible read on those play- ers already in the program to be sure each scholarship is allotted accordingly. Because of the smaller pool of spots, Purdue's issued significant- ly fewer early scholarship offers than normal, Parker said. Last year, Hazell admitted some sentiment that Purdue didn't nec- essarily want as many early com- mitments as it wound up with, wary of filling too many spots before needs could really reveal themselves during the season. Now, Purdue will obviously have to be judicious with every spot it fills. "We haven't put out anything to guys we wouldn't want," Parker said of scholarship offers. That may sound counter-intui- tive — why would a coaching staff offer a player it doesn't want? — but there is a game component to recruiting in certain situations. Purdue may not play the game as much as others with its offers, but with the numbers involved in football, it's inevitable sometimes that not every offer is one that can be accepted. Suffice to say, most every offer Purdue's made to this point, bar- ring certain circumstances like academic matters, is a "committa- ble" offer. Not only does Purdue have a small class on tap, but it has very important needs to attack with those limited scholarships. For one thing, the Boilermakers need a kicker, with placekicker Paul Griggs and fellow specialist NAMES TO WATCH A few prospects Purdue is heavily recruiting for what will be a small 2016 signing class. Player Position Hometown/School Josh Hayes CB Indianapolis/Pike It might be a matter of when, not if, the Indy DB commits to the Boilermakers. Ben Knutson OL Mishawaka, Ind./Penn The massive lineman has several Big Ten offers, but has visited Purdue repeatedly and seems to favor it early in the process. Drew Schoeberl TE Columbus, Ind.//North Purdue could soon turn to the in-state prospect with an offer, in which case it would immediately become his favorite with a possible early decision to come, he said. Ben Skrowonek WR/TE Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead The big receiver has lots of options, with more to come, but Purdue seems to be a legitimate consid- eration. Hayden Johnson DE Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge Purdue is the biggest offer to date for the versatile lineman, who can also play tight end, and that has it as one of his early leaders, with an early decision possible. Boe Wilson OL Lee's Summit, Mo./West Purdue seems to want a center in its 2016 class and Wilson was offered as such, suggesting maybe he's its No. 1 choice. Trishton Jackson ATH West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield Probably a wide receiver target, Jackson is a former teammate of 2015 signee Eddy Wilson. Sean Mahone CB West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West The secondary is a priority for Purdue and Mahone looks like a prime target at corner. — Brian Neubert