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68 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATE VOLUME 26, ISSUE 3 So the Boilermakers could have two starting tackle positions open. Guard Martesse Patterson has played some tackle, so there's at least an experi- enced option, however limited that ex- perience may be. Fellow guard Jordan Roos has dabbled on the outside as well. Whether Purdue would be willing to move him out of the guard position where he's very well established right now, that remains to be seen. Point is, there are starting jobs up for grabs at offensive tackle. At worst, Pur- due could use some additional depth. Of the young players in the program currently, spring will be important in terms of them having a chance to prove themselves as viable considerations, too. Neal said he chose Purdue over an offer from San Diego State. KAMAL HARDY Maybe the most urgent need for im- mediate help lies at cornerback, where Purdue will go from a wealth of experi- ence to barely any. Da'Wan Hunte has played in games, mostly as a reserve, and 2015 freshman David Rose played minimally as a rook- ie. They join converted wide receiver Myles Norwood as those returning corners who've set foot on the field in some capacity or another. In addition to those players, Purdue has a few fresh- men coming out of redshirt in Evyn Cooper and Mike Little. But clearly, it's a wide-open field at corner and Hardy will have every op- portunity come spring to compete for a starting job right away. Hardy, who went to junior college in New York after playing for national power St. Thomas Aquinas in Flori- da, was previously committed to Iowa State. JACK WEGHER The freshman from IMG Academy in Flor- ida boasts legitimate speed and seems to have been recruited as an offensive ath- lete, someone Purdue hopes can be worked into different roles on offense, whether it be at wide receiver or out of the slot or backfield. He wasn't recruited to fill a position- al need as much as he was signed to address a big-picture need: Speed. With Danny Anthrop graduating, Purdue prioritized finding a player like him in this class. Wegher is known to boast compara- ble speed, and while slightly undersized from a height perspective, he is a more THE REST OF THE CLASS Those committed to Purdue to sign in February on top of the four recruits who have already signed on to enroll in January. Player Position Height Weight Hometown/School Luke Campbell OL 6-4 275 Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Thumbnail: An offensive line prospect who really impressed Purdue at its camp in the summer. He projects initially as a tackle it would seem, but guard could be an option, as well. Alex Criddle DT 6-4 310 Tulsa, Okla./Edison Thumbnail: A big, thick, powerful interior lineman recruited by Purdue to play in a nose tackle sort of role on defense. He was previously committed to Tulsa. J.D. Dellinger PK 6-2 170 Charlotte, N.C./Country Day Thumbnail: Purdue needs a placekicker for 2016, Dellinger being the prospect it decided late in the re- cruiting cycle to offer. It's hoped he can come in and handle placekicking and kickoff duties from Day 1, though it may try to round up some additional competition, as well. Benaiah Franklin WR 6-0 205 Marietta, Ga./Wheeler Thumbnail: A high school "athlete" type who might be able to fit into a number of position categories, he was recruited by Purdue with wide receiver in mind. He will bring size and athleticism to that position, it's hoped. Josh Hayes CB 5-11 175 Indianapolis/Pike Thumbnail: A cornerback with solid overall athleticism who can provide, it's hoped, a physical presence. He could conceivably give safety a try at some point if corner doesn't stick right away. Navon Mosley S 5-11 180 West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield Thumbnail: Purdue came into this recruiting cycle with a need at safety and Mosley was one of its first picks. He's been extremely productive all over the field for a very good high school team. Christopher Parker S 6-2 205 Menifee, Calif./Mt. San Jacinto J.C. Thumbnail: Purdue wants to upgrade physically at safety and improve its tackling. It hopes the linebacker-sized junior college DB can help in those areas. He'll enroll in this summer with two seasons of eligibility. Dylan Powell C 6-3 270 Hannibal, Mo./Hannibal Thumbnail: Purdue's designated center recruit for this class, a need with the long-term future of that position currently needing to be figured out. He was another of the Boilermaker staff's first targets at his position. Brandon Shuman CB 5-11 180 Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep Thumbnail: Purdue is probably going to have to fight to keep the DB committed and will want to because he was one of its A-list targets at a position where the Boilermakers need players. Anthony Watts DL 6-5 300 Houston, Texas/Yates Thumbnail: A big, quick, athletic defensive lineman who can probably fit in at a variety of spots on Purdue's D-line. He chose Purdue over Colorado State, Cal and others. Mary Beth Luxton Kicker J.D. Dellinger