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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 27, ISSUE 5 40 ing. But there's still work to be done for both to develop into players Brohm and Purdue can count on consistently. … Of all the linemen who got their first real opportunity this spring in prominent roles — and that was basically all of them with three starters graduating and Matt McCann injured — redshirt freshman Grant Hermanns may have impressed the most. Hermanns seems to have the want-to and work ethic the team needs in its developing young play- ers — he'll obviously still need to get stronger, bigger and more flexible this offseason — and that willingness (and high volume of reps at No. 1 left tackle) allowed him to get better over the 15 practices. Don't know if Hermanns is ready quite yet to be a full-time starting left tackle in the Big Ten — that'd be quite a feat for a second-year player — but, exiting the spring, it looks as though he will get every opportunity to work into that role. Not sure there's been a more hands-on assistant coach in the pro- gram of late than Chris Barclay in terms of demonstrating drills. And Barclay, Wake Forest's all-time leading rusher, looked pretty good doing it, flashing agility, speed and even a little bit of pop over the course of the spring. He was specific in his instruction, too, explaining each new drill and its purpose. With each player's reps in individual drills, Barclay was chirping critiques or offering praise. It might have been specifics about to use their hands as "weapons" and then showing them three ways to do it or having them go through an off-the-ground ladder drill to work on their balance and getting their knees up and legs churning. Barclay seemed to find the right balance, too, of demanding much while being constructive. When a player made a mistake, Barclay didn't just flip out — though he certainly was adamant and vocal — he would tell a player why he was upset. He tried to cultivate a room with a standard of greatness, toughness and willingness to fight. That approach seemed to fit right in with a select group of players already in the room — and, he hopes, it will rub off on others. — Stacy Clardie In Focus