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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED OLUME 26, ISSUE 5 45 ply side-stepping the pressure — instead of bailing — to get the ball away cleanly. That's a big deal. … Kirk Barron may have had the biggest shoes to fill, replacing four-year starter and two-time captain Robert Kugler, but, by many accounts, he rose to the occasion. Barron can boast being one of the team's strongest players — he had a 685 one-time squat — and his short stature lends to naturally low leverage so he can use that power against interior D-linemen. He'll need to prove he can make the right calls, though, identifying defenses and communicating across the front and with quarterbacks who still are developing in shifting protections. … Purdue hopes its lack of depth on the line this spring ultimately helps in the long run — it allowed Matt McCann and Bearooz Yacoobi to get significant snaps with the first team they likely otherwise wouldn't have had. And Purdue likely will rely on at least one of those players to spell guys in the fall, especially if Martesse Patterson doesn't get in better condition this offseason and Cameron Cermin is slow to shake the rust from shoulder surgery. … No other way to say it: D.J. Knox's knee injury was a significant blow. Markell Jones clearly is a top-shelf running back — he was as good this spring as he was during his first season, showcas- ing that trademark trucking-defenders ability as well as quickness — but can his body hold up in a season's worth of 30-carry games with the physical style he plays? Jones and Knox were the only backs with game experience who'd shown they could not only carry the ball but also consistently catch and pass protect. David Yancey had a good spring, showing some explosion at points, and big-bodied redshirt freshman Richie Worship provides a different look for the offense as more of an H-back. They'll have to get better this offseason because they'll be factors in the fall. ... Considering there were only three tight ends, Purdue didn't show many formations that had more than one on the field and that likely will be the case in the fall. But Malone can feel comfortable doing so because backup Brycen Hopkins made strides in terms of understanding his assignments and learning how to use his NFL- type frame. He certainly showed enough improve- ment to spell starter Cole Herdman even in sin- gle-tight end sets. But Herdman clearly is the best of the bunch with versatility to detach and make plays as a receiver as well as staying on the line to block.