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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED OLUME 26, ISSUE 5 50 Da'Wan Hunte entered the spring as the Boilermakers' most experienced cornerback, but even that wasn't much. He played 141 snaps (unofficially) last season, about 700 fewer than Anthony Brown and Frankie Williams. It left a lot of questions about whether he was talented enough to step into a bigger role. He answered those in 15 spring practices, becoming a consistent cover man. He frequently matched up against DeAngelo Yancey, who is five inches and 30 pounds bigger, but won his share of battles. Purdue needs other starters to emerge — another cornerback and a nickel — but Hunte is secure. Wide Receiver 1. DeAngelo Yancey 7 6-2, 216, Sr. 48 rec., 700 yards, 5 TDs* 2. Bilal Marshall 3 6-2, 201, Sr. (5) Tight End 1. Cole Herdman 88 6-4, 238, So. 18 rec., 139 yards, 2 TDs* 2. Brycen Hopkins 89 6-5, 251, R-Fr. Left Tackle 1. Martesse Patterson 74 6-3, 340, So. 2. Bearooz Yacoobi 50 6-5, 297, So. Left Guard 1. Jason King 72 6-3, 310, Sr. (5) 2. Michael Mendez 55 6-4, 302, R-Fr. Center 1. Kirk Barron 53 6-3, 295, So. 2. Peyton Truitt 68 6-5, 295, R-Fr. Offense End 1. Evan Panfil 95 6-5, 268, Sr. 30 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 FF* 2. Shayne Henley 47 6-3, 250, Sr. Nose Tackle 1. Eddy Wilson 18 6-4, 306, So. 10 tackles, 1 PBU* 2. Keiwan Jones 50 6-2, 282, So. Purdue needs a pass rush — no shocker there — but perhaps the Boilermakers can finally get that from their front. If they do, it'll likely be on the backs of Evan Panfil and Jake Replogle. Panfil, in particular, seems to have really taken to the new coaching approach of Randy Melvin, who is heavy on teaching, with high expectations and high demands. It's helped Panfil develop as a rusher, relying more on his speed to the edge rather than only his power. Panfil didn't always get to the QB in the spring, but he often affected him, and that can be just as effective. Cornerback 1. Da'Wan Hunte 2 5-9, 188, Jr. 18 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FF* 2. Myles Norwood 6 6-0, 174, Jr. — Kyle Charters Although it's taken some time, all the pieces might finally be coming together for DeAngelo Yancey. He's always had the size and talent but started to get himself mentally right before last season. Then, he got a taste of success, but only a taste. He could be even better than his 700 yards and five touchdowns. Assuming Purdue's passing game is more consistent — and it looked so in the spring (offensive line issues aside) — he could be poised for a huge year. He's focused, making big plays and small, and leading. Everything everyone has always wanted. The Boilermakers will go into the fall with Martesse Patterson as their No. 1 blind-side tackle, but the sophomore is far from a finished product. Although Darrell Hazell likes Patterson's talent — and says he might have enough to one day play in the NFL — Patterson is very raw. In the jersey scrimmage on the second weekend of April, he struggled with speed to the outside, allowing pressure to get to the quarterback. Perhaps conditioning played a part; Patterson needs to get down to the 330-pound range from the 350-plus he played at in the spring. Defense Tom Campbell