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52 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED ANTHONY WATTS The first of Purdue's robust group of defensive line commitments, the Houston native believes he can bring some versatility to the Boilermaker defensive line. Purdue recruited him, though, to play defensive tackle. "They like my size and my quickness," Watts said, "and the way I can move for my body weight, plus my energy and my motor." Listed at 6-4 and 290 pounds, Watts thinks he might be able to play on the outside as a defensive end for the Boilermakers as well, but he will start his career playing tackle. He recorded 16 sacks as a senior at Yates High School. "I get off the ball real quick," he said. "It's some- thing I realized I was good at, so I kept working on it to make it better." Watts chose Purdue in December over offers from California, Colorado State and several others. JACK WEGHER Needing speed for its offense, Pur- due took an early commitment from Wegher, a South Dakota native who attended powerhouse IMG Academy in Bra- denton, Fla. A high school running back, We- gher was recruited as a wide receiver. But we'll see. He was listed as an "athlete" on signing day and is likely to straddle the receiver and running back posi- tions, as simply a player Purdue looks to involve in a variety of ways in hopes of leveraging his speed. Wegher has run in the vicinity of 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, doing so as a well-built 5-11, 200-pounder. "You'll see him run the ball and catch the ball out of the backfield," Smith said. "He has great hips, great vision. We add a home-run threat that we need in the offense, who can take it to the house from any point on the football field. He can make people miss in the open field and usually it's a touchdown. We like seeing that." Wegher enrolled at Purdue mid-year, so he's on campus already and will be available to participate in spring practices and other offseason workouts. During the spring, his positional outlook will be- gin to be determined. "I'm keeping an open mind," he said. j RUN. WALK. IMPACT. CURE. A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CHALLENGE 5K THAT SUPPORTS PURDUE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH. PURDUEFED.COM