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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4 67 Trying to stay on the path, trying to keep in mind your end goal, rather than what you had to go through on a day-to-day basis, just real- izing that, 'All right, you have to go through the hard path before you get to your goals.' That was all a part of it." Larkin says it was different in San Fran- cisco, where he felt welcomed — the coach knew his name during their first conversa- tion, he pointed out — was taught, and ulti- mately had a chance to play. "It was a very disappointing time for him at Notre Dame," Blake said. "As a walk-on, you keep waiting to get your shot, waiting to get your shot. He was smart enough to realize it was probably not coming, the coaches look pretty entrenched here and not moving on, and once they kind of get an opinion of you, it gets tough to get out of that box. So, really it was the last opportunity to leave and come to City College, and our history of moving guys on — bounce-backs, D-II transfers that end up in Power Five schools — is unmatched all across America. Nobody does what we do, especially with transfer guys. It was perfect for him and he really wanted to play at a Di- vision I level and not just stand on a sideline and practice. It was a perfect place for him to come and he brought that desire and work ethic every day." Larkin says he was rejuvenated and his play at City College earned him the opportu- nity he wanted, a chance to play at a Division I program. He had offers from Fresno State, Colorado State and UTEP in the fall, and was getting interest from Oregon State, but when Purdue said it wanted him, that was the one. "It was a surreal experience," Larkin said. "When I first got the offer from Purdue, I almost broke down, because that was one of the best moments of my life. I was pretty sure I got watery-eyed. ... That was some- thing that had never happened to me before. "It was a sigh of relief, then immense happiness, because I felt it was taking the next step toward real- ly accomplishing my goal." Blake thinks Larkin will succeed at Purdue, be- cause he's a player with a lot to prove at a school with a lot to prove. "I think it fits very well there, for what is going on there (with) the rebuilding process," Blake said. "One of the ways to get out of that hole is to work your way out, and he'll work every day. He'll give you an honest work day every day, whether it's the weight room, conditioning, practice. He's going to do the job." j From The City Purdue has taken three transfers previously from City College of San Francisco, with No 4 being defensive end Austin Larkin. Roberto McBean WR • 2006-08 Played only sparingly during his three seasons at Purdue, the first spent redshirting. Ruben Ibarra LB • 2012-13 Played significantly as a reserve late in 2013 before deciding to transfer. David Hedelin OT • 2014-15 Two-year starter at left tackle for the Boilermakers. Austin Larkin DE • 2016- Potential pass-rushing end, an area Purdue needs to up its production.