GBI Magazine

Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 27, Digital 3

Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.

Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/766803

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 46 of 87

GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 27, ISSUE 3 47 Brohm inherited about 14 commitments from Hazell's staff, though that number's been a moving target. Shortly after Brohm was hired, a few players — DB Mitch West, offensive lineman Jylton Tusha and defen- sive end Tijaun Mason — re-opened their recruitments, as often happens after coaching changes, often not en- tirely by the prospects' choosing. While Purdue was without a coach, running back com- mitment Antwuan Branch switched to North Carolina and cornerback recruit Marcus Jones re-opened his recruitment. Jones says he's still on high on Pur- due, as does Mason, but it remains to be seen how much of a presence the new staff — and more of a staff should be in place around the New Year — holds with those players. For Brohm, the transactions of his first few weeks on the job have given him something of a reset on the 2017 cycle, with the mid-year signing date being an immediate deadline to be dealt with, but the dead period (Dec. 12-Jan. 11) now affords him a chance to assess the landscape, gauge more pressing needs and establish targets, on top of getting his staff in place. Purdue's needs are fairly obvious, but also to be affected by whatever fluidity remains to unfold among in- herited commitments. One thing is clear: Purdue needs wide receivers badly. Hamilton is already signed, and carried-over commit- ment C.J. Hayes is one of the class' headliners, and a play- er Brohm knows well. Hayes lives in Bowling Green, Ky., and has been around the Western Kentucky program and was recruited heavily by it. Brohm also inherits commitments from tall and rangy Brevin Harris and small and speedy Laperion Perry if they stick. But with Purdue's top four receivers leaving and few known commodities returning, it's a position where Pur- due needs immediate help and will likely look to the ju- nior colleges for some. Purdue will also hit the secondary hard, with two tar- gets being Cincinnati four-star athlete Jarell White, who could be on the verge of committing, and junior college safety Mykelti Williams, a former four-star recruit who signed with Notre Dame out of Warren Central in India- napolis. j TUNE IN TO KEEP UP Gold and Black Radio GoldAndBlack.com "This year, we will probably sign a few more J.C. guys than usual, but as we get rolling here we would like to taper that back a little bit and just use it to address urgent needs." — Jeff Brohm

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of GBI Magazine - Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 27, Digital 3