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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 27, Digital 3

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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 27, ISSUE 3 49 BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com P urdue didn't have a new- comer have a breakout sea- son like it did a year ago with Markell Jones, but the lack of overall team depth required the Boilermakers to send eight first- year players and four transfers to the field in 2016. And some played significant roles. Rookie safety-turned-nickel Navon Mosley started 10 games, transfers Austin Lar- kin and C.J. Parker had five starts apiece at defensive end and safety, respectively, first-year player Lorenzo Neal had four starts after injuries arose on the in- terior defensive line and rookie running back Brian Lankford-Johnson started once in the place of injured Jones. It was good groundwork for a group of young players who likely will figure into the mix in 2017 in a pro- gram that is short on experience. Here's a closer look at how Purdue's true freshmen — and newcomers — fared in 2016. RUNNING BACK Entering his rookie season, Lankford-Johnson fig- ured he'd have to make his mark on special teams as a kickoff returner. That's where he'd "make money," he said during training camp. By the end of it, he'd shown promise in more than just that role. When given the chance in the backfield, Lankford-John- son was efficient — and productive — in a limited role. Unofficially, he played 153 offensive snaps and had 59 touches. On those touches, he averaged 6.5 yards per carry and 8.2 yards per catch. He scored two touchdowns. In his only start, filling in for Jones at Illinois, Lank- ford-Johnson ripped off a 127-yard rushing game, showcasing glimpses of being a dynamic runner, not just a guy with top-shelf speed but also one who could make eye-popping cuts and hit holes. "I wanted to show everyone that I can actually play at this level," Lankford-Johnson said of his approach going into the Illinois game. He did that earlier, though. In his first college game, Lankford-Johnson busted a 48-yard touchdown run. And then he hardly played over the next three games until getting that surprise start for Jones against Illinois. Before leaving that game with a shoulder injury, Lankford-Johnson aver- aged 7.1 yards per carry. After that seemingly breakout game, Lankford-Johnson largely went back to his previous role — as a sparingly The Freshmen Finding Roles Several starters emerge from newcomers Tom Campbell Running back Brian Lankford-Johnson proved to be a playmaker, averaging more than seven yards per touch this season.

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