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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED OLUME 26, ISSUE 5 11 Which football position group needs to develop most this summer? Kyle Charters Let's assume that Ra'Zahn Howard doesn't come back to Purdue — he's suspended, having missed the spring, with little reason to think he can do enough to return — then the Boilermakers have a major situation on the interior of the defensive line. With senior defensive tackle Jake Replogle, Purdue feels great, as it should; he's the real deal. And sophomore nose Eddy Wilson has some promise, certainly in his athleticism, although physically he could stand to make gains (and this summer will be good for that). But then after those two projected starters? Well ... umm ... Purdue needs development. It's hard to play a whole season with only two interior defensive linemen (although Purdue virtually did so with Brandon Villarreal and Brent Grover in 2005). Maybe Keiwan Jones can have a big summer. The sophomore is coming back from an ACL and moved his way up to No. 2 nose late in the spring. But, he's no finished product. Perhaps he — or someone — can get closer this summer. Stacy Clardie Really could pick any position on defense if we're defining "development" as an increased knowledge of assignments and techniques. Players seem to have a ways to go to execute Ross Els' new defense in the fashion he'd like. But in terms of physical development, which is kind of what the summer is about, I'm going with the offensive line. There are good pieces there, no doubt, with Jason King and Jordan Roos. But there are so many young players who are important ingredients and must get stronger and better-conditioned. Martesse Patterson needs to lose 20 pounds this offseason — he can't be what Darrell Hazell envisions until he does. Cameron Cermin needs to add back strength he's lost recovering from shoulder surgeries — Purdue desperately needs him at right tackle in the fall. Second-year players Matt McCann, Bearooz Yacoobi and Michael Mendez need to become more flexible, quicker and stronger — they may be counted on for depth in 2016. Boiler Index