64 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED
Running Back
1. D.J. Knox 27
5-7, 197, So.
2. Keyante Green 23
5-9, 219, So.
Right Tackle
1. Cameron Cermin 66
6-5, 301, Jr.
2. J.J. Prince 73
6-6, 297, Jr.
Purdue's major personnel question comes not
at one position, but at one area: The right half
of the line. The good news is the Boilermakers
aren't without experience, as Prince and
Cermin split time at right tackle last season
and Roos was the every-down right guard.
But the two tackles were out in the spring
recovering from shoulder surgeries, leaving
Purdue to experiment there. Roos left the
spring playing as much tackle as guard, but is
Jim Bridge willing to permanently move the
junior outside and allow Patterson, a skilled
but unproven player, to take over as a starter?
Or is Prince, who had two shoulder surgeries,
healthy enough to reclaim his starting spot?
Bunch of questions, few answers.
Knox left the spring as the No. 1 running back. He'll enter training camp No. 1. And there's little reason to
think he won't leave it as the top option. Why? He has the best mixture of Purdue's unproven backs, in that
he's shifty, with good (not great) speed, and packs a bit of punch despite his diminutive stature. He's not
going to be a game-breaker like Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert but can still make some open-field plays,
and Purdue wants that. Green's a good counter-punch, because he's a powerful between-the-tackles runner.
But the backfield isn't entirely set; perhaps a freshman, like Markell Jones, could work into the depth chart.
Wide Receiver
1. Gregory Phillips 13
6-0, 191, So.
2. Bilal Marshall 14
6-2, 195, Jr.
Tight End
1. Jordan Jurasevich 85
6-3, 250, Sr. (5)
2. Cole Herdman 88
6-4, 243, R-Fr.
Right Guard
1. Jordan Roos 70
6-4, 312, Jr.
2. Martesse Patterson 74
6-3, 345, R-Fr.
64 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED
— Kyle Charters
Offense
Quarterback
1. Austin Appleby 12
6-5, 229, Jr.
2. David Blough 11
6-1, 202, R-Fr.
Center
1. Robert Kugler 57
6-3, 294, Sr. (5)
2. Kirk Barron 53
6-1, 305, R-Fr.
In the offseason, Purdue brought in a couple J.C. transfers — Mahoungou
and Domonique Young — to try to build its depth at outside receiver. Also,
it hoped that bringing in new competition would wake up Yancey. At least
on the latter point, mission accomplished. The junior receiver enjoyed a
good spring, one in which he seemed to get back on track as the big-play
target that he appeared to be as a freshman, then wasn't as a sophomore.
Now, he'll need to stay tuned in, because Mahoungou, Young and Bilal
Marshall might be viable options.
Wide Receiver
1. Danny Anthrop 33
6-0, 191, Sr.
2. Cameron Posey 18
6-1, 183, Jr.
Wide Receiver
1. DeAngelo Yancey 7
6-2, 223, Jr.
2. Anthony Mahoungou 21
6-3, 207, So.
Left Tackle
1. David Hedelin 75
6-4, 298, Sr.
2. Bearooz Yacoobi 51
6-5, 297, R-Fr.
Left Guard
1. Jason King 72
6-3, 305, Jr.
2. Corey Clements 71
6-8, 420, Sr.
