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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 4 29 Overview: The 2018 Class end. He committed to Purdue last summer not knowing whether he'd play tight end or defensive end. He'll start out on defense, but the option may be on the table for him. More on the defensive linemen on Pages 44-45. Secondary: Purdue's defensive staff puts a premium on height and length in the defensive backfield, in part in hopes of better filling in the gaps in its zone coverag- es, but also because sometimes those longer arms can give coaches a bit more peace of mind when calling an aggressive game at the line of scrimmage, as Purdue cer- tainly did in Year 1 under Brohm and defensive play-call- er Nick Holt. That said, this signing class is transformational. Cory Trice (6-3) at safety and Byron Perkins (6-2) at corner are two of the tallest, longest players at their posi- tions that Purdue has signed in modern years. "When you get guys with prototypical body length, it helps make their job easier," Brohm said, "because of the ability to recover if you get beat or to have the size and strength to have the range to make plays, that's al- COMMIT WILL GREYSHIRT Long-standing Purdue Class of 2018 commitment Willie Lane did not sign with the Boilermakers in ei- ther December or February, but will instead greyshirt, he said. That means the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder from Winter Haven, Fla., will remain in remain in Flor- ida for the fall semester, working to im- prove his academic standing. Should he do so, he would sign with Purdue mid-year and enroll in January, effectively as a member of the 2019 class, though his eligibility clock wouldn't begin running until the fall. Essentially, then, Lane becomes the program's second 2019 commitment, joining West Lafayette High School blue-chip defensive lineman George Karlaftis. Lane cannot sign a binding letter-of-in- tent until December but said he has signed a non-binding declaration-of-com- mitment document. Purdue brought Lane in for an official visit just prior to the early signing date in December, along with the majority of the program's other commitments. — Brian Neubert Brian Neubert Elijah Ball is one of three recruits from in-state, and one of five in the secondary.