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44 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED As a senior, he recorded six inter- ceptions, eight breakups and 34 tack- les. On offense, he caught eight passes for nearly 200 yards, including a touch- down. Hayes said he's waiting on a qualify- ing test score. "I think I got it this last time I took it," he said. GRANT HERMANNS As a high school freshman, the new Purdue offensive tackle recruit stood no taller than 5-9 and weighed less than 150 pounds. By the end of his sophomore year, he was way bigger but still hadn't played the position he's now headed to the Big Ten to play. It's been an interesting turn of events for the New Mexico native, now standing 6-7, 265 pounds (and, he hopes, growing). Hermanns has completely transformed physically through the course of his high school career. When he moved from defensive end to offensive tackle af- ter his sophomore season, he brought defensive line- man-type speed and quickness to offense. "(Purdue liked that) I have quick feet and can get to the second level quickly and I finish plays, finish blocks," Hermanns said. "I think almost every high- light I have on my tape is me taking guys straight to the ground. I think the thing I need to work on is maybe gaining a little more weight and adjusting to the game (in college) because it's a lot faster." Hermanns talks of playing with an edge because of the "chip on my shoulder" he claims to carry around. "I was kind of a late bloomer and was always told about what I can't do, can't go on to play college foot- ball, can't grow to be as big as I am," he said. "I think I've always just had that chip on my shoulder, that target on my back, and it makes me want to push harder and finish every play." Hermanns, also a state contender-level heavy- weight wrestler, was formerly committed to Iowa State prior to its coaching change. He chose Purdue late in the process over offers from New Mexico, Ne- vada, Hawaii and others. For more on Hermanns, see Pages 42-43. TERRANCE LANDERS One of the most physically tal- ented players in this class, if not the most talented, Landers was one of Purdue's top wide receiv- er targets from Day 1, though some academic questions barred his recruitment from being all that cut-and-dried. But it worked out for Purdue in the end, as Landers committed around the turn of the calendar, giving the Boilermakers a potential impact recruit. The 6-4, 185-pound Rivals.com three-star prospect from Dunbar High School in Dayton is an interesting blend of size and speed — he's run 4.5 flat — not to mention the athleticism, length and body control that Tom Campbell Jack Wegher is one of three mid-year enrollees.