GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED OLUME 26, ISSUE 5 31
which is what they were used to. So
that group had to learn how to slow
down, and it's also challenged many
of them in terms of their coverage
abilities.
Danny Ezechukwu, for one, said
one of his weaknesses was playing
in space. This defense has forced
him to address that quickly — and
with the very-real scenario that only
one or two linebackers will be on the
field at one time, picking up the new
defense was incredibly important
this spring.
"Either you're going to show up
and do it or next man up," Ezechuk-
wu said.
At least Purdue has a bevy of
options in the linebacker room if
someone doesn't "show up." Up
front? Not so much.
Though Hazell said he "loves"
projected starters Jake Replogle,
Evan Panfil and Eddy Wilson, there
isn't much proven depth. Newcom-
er Austin Larkin appears to have
supplanted Gelen Robinson at one
starting end spot, but, other than
Robinson, the second-team line is
anyone's guess.
At points during the spring, walk-
ons were with the No. 2 unit on the
interior. Only potential end backups
Antoine Miles and Shayne Henley
have any real game experience.
"You need (to find) some serious
depth on the inside. Some bodies,"
Hazell said after the spring.
TIME RUNNING OUT
One reason for Purdue's lack of
