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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 27, ISSUE 5 44 Kicker J.D. Dellinger 85 6-2, 190, So. Punter Joe Schopper 31 6-0, 199, Jr. Kick Return Jackson Anthrop 33 5-11, 191, R-Fr. Markell Jones 8 5-11, 205, Jr. Punt Return Jackson Anthrop 33 5-11, 191, R-Fr. End 1. Antoine Miles 11 6-3, 266, Sr. (5) 2. Mike Zeigler 54 6-4, 256, Jr. Although he almost assuredly will be a backup in the fall, it was nearly impossible to disregard Rob Simmons. The former J.C. transfer might be the Boilermakers' best athlete; he certainly appears to be so, with a 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame that left former Purdue coordinator Jim Chaney — the Georgia OC was in town to watch a couple Jeff Brohm practices — to marvel at Simmons' potential. But that's the word. Simmons has played very little football, only a year of high school, then at his JUCO. And he's had only 15 practices at linebacker, after he redshirted as a D-end last season. But Simmons could find a niche as a pass-rusher, because he can so quickly get to a quarterback and only having to handle one assignment limits his responsibilities. Nose Tackle 1. Eddy Wilson 18 6-4, 304, Jr. 2. Alex Criddle 66 6-4, 307, So. 44 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED Quarterback 1. David Blough 11 6-1, 200, Jr. 2. Elijah Sindelar 2 6-4, 226, So. Wide Receiver 1. Gregory Phillips 10 6-0, 200, Sr. 2. Terrance Landers 13 6-4, 203, So. Tight End 1. Cole Herdman 88 6-4, 245, Jr. 2. Brycen Hopkins 89 6-5, 245, So. Left Tackle 1. Grant Hermanns 78 6-7, 293, R-Fr. 2. Tanner Hawthorne 52 6-6, 275, R-Fr. Left Guard 1. Mike Mendez 55 6-4, 294, So. 2. Peyton Truitt 68 6-5, 289, So. Center 1. Kirk Barron 53 6-2, 305, Jr. 2. Bryce Brown 51 6-1, 268, R-Fr. A year ago, Eric Swingler was making a move on the offensive line, going from infrequently noticed walk-on to potential starter. But then, he tore his ACL, putting him on the sideline for all but one series during the 2016 season. But he's back now, and picking up right where he left off, sliding in at right tackle for every significant first-team repetition. A versatile lineman, Swingler has practiced at center, guard and tackle during his career, but said it was good to be able to focus on one spot during the spring. And his results were good. Now, the question becomes whether he stays as RT, with Matt McCann, last season's starter, returning from ankle surgery. Maybe Swingler does, maybe not. But either way, he's likely got a spot as a starter. Defense Cornerback 1. Tim Cason 24 5-11, 195, Jr. 2. Kamal Hardy 8 6-0, 185, Sr. Strong Safety 1. T.J. Jallow 5 6-2, 198, Jr. None* 2. Wes Cook 35 5-10, 191, Sr. Middle Linebacker 1. Ja'Whaun Bentley 35 6-2, 250, Sr. 2. Garrett Hudson 16 6-3, 245, Sr. (5) Strongside Linebacker 1. Danny Ezechukwu 36 6-2, 242, Sr. (5) 2. Rob Simmons 48 6-6, 230, Jr. Offense