Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/790203
GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 27, ISSUE 4 26 at Chaffey." Higgins, who also held offers from Southern Miss, Massachusetts and New Mexico State, comes to Purdue with three years of eligibility and the option to redshirt if Boilermaker coaches want to exercise it. "They like my natural physical ability to pass-rush and to get around the edge," Higgins said, "and really just my tenacity to get after the quarterback." JALEN JACKSON OL • 6-2, 260 • Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern) Given the nature of its offense, Purdue will trade size on its offen- sive line for mobility and athleti- cism. It was happy to in the case of Jackson, who switched to Purdue from Western Kentucky shortly after Brohm's hiring and subse- quently signed early and enrolled in January. Jackson's measurables don't come straight from cen- tral casting for a Big Ten lineman, but that's OK with Purdue's staff. "He's not as tall, but he's athletic and he can run and he can get out and use his athleticism to make blocks downfield, move his feet quickly," Brohm said. "A lot of times, if you have good feet and can move like that, it's beneficial." The Georgian can snap, too, Brohm said, making him a potential consideration at center. But it's Jackson's athleticism that mattered most to Purdue. "It helps me get to the second level pretty fast and helps with my pass-blocking," Jackson said. "I'm pretty proficient at that. If you put a defensive end over me, I might be just as fast or faster, so speed-rushing doesn't always work. And I can get to the second level faster than the receiver and that helps me with screens." For more on Jackson, see Pages 32-33. T.J. JALLOW DB • 6-2, 205 • Olive Branch, Miss. (East Mississippi C.C.) If there's a player with the best chance to make an impact right away at Purdue — aside from the wide receivers — it might be Jal- low, a physically developed and gifted projected safety who was targeted by Brohm practically the moment he got the job. The former Louisville commit- ment comes to Purdue from East Mississippi Commu- nity College, "Last Chance U," as fans might know it. There, the Rivals.com three-star prospect made 43 tack- les and broke up seven passes as a sophomore. Starting this spring, Jallow will get his first opportu- nity to impact the secondary, where Purdue could stand to upgrade at safety, for one thing. "He's a strong young man and has played quite a bit," Brohm said. "I think he'll step in immediately and be vying for that spot." For more on Jallow, see Pages 30-31. CORNEL JONES LB • 6-2, 230 • Miami, Fla. (Miami Central) Purdue targeted the middle line- backer from talent-rich Miami Central High School to play be- tween the tackles, appreciating his physical nature and zeal in defend- ing the run. But there was more to it than that. Holt, who guided Brohm's de- fense at Western Kentucky, has said he expects Purdue to lean on its linebackers as pass-rushers as much as anyone on defense. "Coach Holt told me I remind him a little of Clay Mat- thews," said Jones, of Holt, who was an assistant for Pete Carroll at USC when Matthews was a Trojan. "He said he sees it in how I run sideline to sideline and run through people." And rushes the passer.