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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 92 almost as if his dad was there on the day. Mom, siblings and a cousin who also attended were able to experience the day first-hand, though. It was the first time either of Ezechukwu's sisters had been to Purdue. "It was really cool for them to come here and see me walk across the stage," Ezechukwu said. "Afterward, we went home and cooked and ate a big meal and all fell asleep in my apartment, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I was so happy to see them. I enjoyed the experience of walking across the stage and turn- ing the tassel. I wouldn't trade it for the world." He hopes to experience it again. Ezechukwu is in the Technology Leadership and Innovation program through the college of technolo- gy, Purdue Polytechnic Institute, and his focus is in- dustrial engineering and project management. It's a two-year program, and Ezechukwu could see himself using the graduate degree to serve as a consultant for cost efficiency for large-scale areas like a university or facility, essentially similar to facilities management. Ezechukwu knows he'll put the degree to good use, but he's actually kind of hoping he doesn't graduate in 2019. Exploring the NFL is Option No. 1. But even his football experience at Purdue hasn't been without change. Ezechukwu came to the Boilermakers as a defensive end but was told during his recruitment he'd play line- backer. Even that, however, hasn't been a constant. He's bounced between being a stand-up outside linebacker — called a "rush end" in one system and something else now — and an inside linebacker. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, he was practicing early as an outside linebacker. Later that season, he was moved inside after an injury. By his sophomore year, he was a full-time, 12-game starter at inside linebacker. But last season, a new coordinator and new scheme meant Ezechukwu often was the odd-man out for linebacker snaps in a system that typically played only two at a time. In his final season in 2017, Ezechukwu had to navigate another change, being moved back to more of a hybrid, pass-rusher, outside position. At every turn, Ezechukwu embraced the new spot as his own, latched onto each new coordinator — he's had three of them in the last three years — and, sim- ply grinded to deliver the best version of a player he could be. He's seized his final season, despite the new role. At new coordinator and play caller Nick Holt's "Leo" position, Ezechukwu has multiple responsibil- ities, whether it's rushing the passer, dropping into coverage or holding the edge in run defense. In the season opener against Louisville at the new position, Ezechukwu said he made too many mistakes, whether it be in coverage or in responsibilities. Holt told Eze- chukwu after the game, "You have got to play better." "That was the honest-to-goodness truth," Ezechuk- wu said. "It rubbed me, and he saw that it rubbed me. I think he liked that out of me, that I really wanted to get back out there and prove that I could be that guy for us and help our team win. I appreciate the added motivation. But I think I've stepped in and handled it as well as I could with my abilities." So, again, Ezechukwu had to adjust. And be better. He has been, since that first game. His totals through six games were among the team's best: His 4.0 tackles for loss, including 2.0 sacks, led the team, as did his three fumble recoveries. The lat- ter was tied for the most in FBS. He also had an inter- ception. And after six games, Purdue had nearly half as many victories (three) as Ezechukwu registered in his first four seasons. "Ultimately, that's the coolest thing, just to be competitive and really be in the games and winning games," Ezechukwu said. "I feel like we have a lot more wins to come this season. But it is really cool. … It does feel good to go out there and play hard and be in these games and to contribute is a plus on top of that, but it feels good. I want to keep it up." Through all the changes, many of them not directly beneficial, Ezechukwu never complained. It's not in his nature, as Arielle Mabon quickly learned. She was a witness to the most drastic change in Ezechukwu's life during his time at Purdue: Mabon gave birth to Tariq on Nov. 30, 2016, forever altering the lives of both first-time parents. The due date actually wasn't until mid-December,