Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/674053
GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED OLUME 26, ISSUE 5 65 "There's a lot of guys out there, talking to a lot of guys and weighing where we are, but also keeping in mind the 2017 guys," Painter said of his program's spring recruiting outlook. "It's hard because if you ideally get who you want (later) you have to make sure you've planned for it. "But you also can't predict who you're going to get. You might feel good about things and sometimes that's a good sign and sometimes that's the kiss of death." Purdue has to hope its feelings toward its core group of 2017 targets is indeed the former instead of the latter, because as of the end of April, it looked like a prime player for several very highly thought-of players. Though there will be others emerging — any time a staff has numbers to offer in recruiting and high-end targets in mind, it must cast a wide net — Purdue's long-established targets are all high-value ones. Here is a quick look at the Boilermakers' lon- gest-standing priorities who would seem like rea- sonable possibilities. They're listed alphabetically. Nojel Eastern: The 6-foot-5 guard from Evanston, Ill., is back at full strength after breaking his ankle last spring. Rivals.com's No. 55-ranked player nationally's recruitment hasn't missed a beat, though. Purdue and Michigan State have been two of his longest-standing suitors and Ohio State has just jumped in with an offer. Eastern has been to Purdue numerous times, in- cluding an unofficial visit during the season and a trip last August for an elite camp that he couldn't even participate in because of the injury. He just wanted to visit. Eastern is a versatile slashing guard who can probably play three positions, point guard very much included, and defend three positions, too. Jaren Jackson Jr.: The 6-10 forward from Park Tudor in Indianapolis has grown into a national recruit, but talks often about Purdue being his first offer and the first big school to prioritize him and how that will matter to him. Purdue will hope so, but he's now swimming in offers, from Michigan State, to Xavier, to Maryland, to Georgetown, where his father, Jaren Jackson Sr., starred prior to an extended NBA career. Jackson is tall, long and athletic, an explosive shot-blocker and very good scorer for his size facing the basket, whether it be driving to the rim or shoot- ing threes. He can play either the 4 or as an undersized but athletic 5 at the next level and may very well wind up as a 3 long-term. Xavier Tillman: A stark contrast to the taller, longer, more athletic big men Purdue is recruiting, Tillman is an ox. The post player from Grand Rapids is a thick, physical, hard-charging undersized 5 man Brian Neubert Nojel Eastern has visited Purdue several times and may be zeroed in on the Boilermakers and Michigan State in his recruitment.