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PRESENTS RECRUITING NEWS AND NOTES Recruits Weigh In BY GOLD AND BLACK STAFF In the immediate aftermath of Danny Hope, the Boilermakers lost one of their most prized recruits in the 2013 class. The others, however, largely the dismissal of Purdue coach said they remained Boilermaker verbals, although for some the strength of those commitments might be wavering. Following is a look at Purdue's 2013 commitments and where ridge was the decommitment. Shortridge, who has offers they stand as of Sunday. R Defensive tackle Kyle Short- from Nebraska, Wisconsin, Ten- nessee, West Virginia, Wake For- est, Mississippi State, Minnesota, Purdue and many others, says Hope was a big part of why he had committed. "I really like Coach Hope, said. "And now I've heard that they let him go. I think I'm going to have to explore other options and keep my eye on Purdue because I don't know who the head coach will be. I might need to be careful, play it " he safe and open back up to see what other schools I like the most. If that's Purdue at the end, then I might chose them. But I don't know who the head coach is going to be so I can't really stay com- mitted. I'll need to open back up and see. the Boilermakers' commitment, doing so after a mid- season visit to Purdue. He's the third 2013 verbal Shortridge had been latest " Purdue has lost in the last month, joining line prospect Parker Co- thren and D-end Randy Gregory. R Quarterback recruit Danny that we understand that you're committed and (your standing) won't change, "It said basically Kyle Shortridge Etling, Purdue's most high-profile verbal commitment, said Sunday that he wanted to take some time to talk to his family before making a public statement. A day later, his father indicated that Etling was still committed to Purdue. R Dwayne Johnson got an email from Purdue Sunday, telling him that the administration had fired Hope. still committed, but perhaps not as strongly as he once was. "It depends on who is going to be the new coach," Johnson said. "That will affect where I go. Right now, I'm still committed and that wouldn't change until I do find out something. sive line commitment from Houston, says he's Then, again, I might start talking to some other people. "I do still like the program. " October, has offers from Colorado, Kansas, SMU, UTEP and Washington State, among others. He says he has kept in contact with other schools. But he doesn't know how much he'll increase his conversations. Johnson, who committed in Monday afternoon. "We'll keep you updated on what we decide to do about the new coach." Johnson, an offen- " Johnson relayed Hope's firing. He was surprised to hear of "I understand in the middle of the season we were in a down- ward spiral, was) Coach Hope, he used to work with the offensive line, so he was a big reason. I like the school, the education, the program." Johnson's eager to see who back up and are bowl-eligible. "(My) No. 1 (reason to commit " he said, "but we came sistently," he said. the new coach will be. "I'm checking for updates con- sive tackle commitment, says he is still committed, but he's planning R Ra'Zahn Howard, a defen- to visit Connecticut. R Linebacker Johnny Thomp- Buy Subaru and keep Indiana driving. www.fortwaynesubaru.com Fort Wayne Subaru 5000 Illinois Road Fort Wayne, IN 47905 260-432-4567 www.bobrohrmansubaru.com Bob Rohrman Subaru 1600 South Creasy Lane Lafayette, IN 47905 765-449-8100 GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 23, EXPRESS 13 • 29