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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4 41 J.D. DELLINGER With outgoing senior Paul Griggs leaving, Purdue needed a place- kicker in this class but didn't get its man until December, when Del- linger committed soon after land- ing an offer. "I think (Purdue liked) my consistency on field goals and my kickoff leg," he said. "I'm pretty consistent on reaching the middle of the end zone as is right now kicking off from the 35 and I'm looking to improve that. But I think they're looking for a higher percentage (in the end zone) on top of more points, more field goals. And I think my work ethic helped sell everything else about me to them." This past season at Charlotte Country Day, Del- linger made 7-of-13 field goals — his long was 48 — and put nearly all of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. At Purdue, he will likely need to be ready now. The Boilermakers need a kicker and don't seem to have any apparent internal options. "That's extremely exciting," Dellinger said. "I love pressure. I think I thrive off pressure. So I'm really looking forward to competing in camp for that job and trying to earn that job and helping contribute for the team next year." SEMISI FAKASIIEIKI Purdue had no intention of tak- ing a linebacker in this class, until Fakasiieiski's film came through its offices late in the process. The 6-2, 240-pounder from Compton Dominguez near Los Angeles had sent his film to Purdue for consideration as a defensive end or tight end recruit, but Purdue liked what it saw of him playing linebacker enough to change its plans and recruit him for his primary po- sition. "We put in Semisi's film and he had about three or four clips at defensive end and the rest were line- backer or tight end," linebackers coach Marcus Free- man said. "We thought about it as a staff and said, 'He's too good of a football player to turn down,' so we made room and are extremely excited that we got him." It remains to be seen whether Fakasiieiki will play inside or outside linebacker. "They said they think I have a lot of raw talent, coming from a small school that doesn't really have much," Fakasiieiki said. "They think I have the po- tential to skyrocket. "I'm hard-hitting and I don't give up on tracking down a play. I go full-speed the whole time." Fakasiieiki, who made 80 tackles and had a pair of interceptions as a senior, chose Purdue over of- fers from New Mexico, San Diego State, Hawaii and others. JAVONTE FERGUSON After the burner from Florida broke off from a commitment to Oregon State a few weeks be- fore signing day, Purdue jumped in, brought him in for a last-sec- ond official visit and signed him. Ferguson is small —5-7, 160 or so — but he's renowned for blistering speed, said to have run in the 4.3 range. Ferguson, of Oakleaf High School in Jacksonville, was recruited as a wide receiver but introduced on signing day as an "athlete," suggesting Purdue could use him in the backfield and/or return game as well. "What you need to know about Javonte, he's all about speed," said DeAndre Smith, the running backs coach who introduced the "athlete" recruits on sign- ing day. "... He's a junior Olympic track champion, runs about 10.4 in the 100 meters, about 22.1 in the 200 meters. He's a little guy, great in open space. He can return kicks and will help us on special teams. We can throw bubble screens to him and jet sweeps. He's a dynamic player. He brings speed that we want in the program. "We've got to get him in the weight room. I'm ex-