Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/120607
f r o m e d i t o r b r i a n n e u b e r t the other big story In any other year, you'd already be sick of hearing about Purdue's quarterbacks. But the bigger-picture issue of the Boilermaker program's coaching transition has dwarfed what would otherwise have been the dominant storyline of the winter and spring thus far. Not that after the past few seasons any of us are upset to be talking about something other than quarterbacks. But for different reasons now, the most important position on the field is once again one of the biggest questions on the field, a question Purdue's using its April to try to answer. As we see it, there are three hats — err, helmets — in the ring. Senior Rob Henry, redshirt freshman Austin Appleby and freshman Danny Etling seem to be those contending to be next in line at this historically QB-driven school. If Saturday's scrimmage was any more than just a snapshot within a fluid situation, then Henry and Etling, a bit surprisingly, are 1 and 2, respectively. I say "surprisingly" with Etling because I'll personally admit to my fascination with Appleby, the big, strong-armed, cognitively advanced youngster who looks like he's been pulled straight out of central casting to be a starting quarterback. And Etling is vying for the keys to Purdue's offense practically before he's even gotten his learner's permit. He's a true freshman who's only been on campus since January. The highest-touted member of Darrell Hazell's first Boilermaker recruiting class seems to be keeping one step in front of the redshirt coaches would undoubtedly love to provide him from a long-range perspective. But the short term takes priority. His apparent place on the depth chart alone says the freshman's doing something right. Not just something; a lot of somethings. Bear in mind: It's hard to play quarterback at this level as a true freshman, part of the reason Purdue's not played such a player in a non-emergency situation in years. Quarterback in football and point guard in basketball have much in common; ask Matt Painter about the perils of inexperience at the latter. That brings us to Henry, who's Purdue's only experienced option at quarterback. Yes, it's a new system, so the value of experience in this case might be watered down some. But with Henry, it's different. He's started games before, practically losing body parts on the field for his team. He's won games for Purdue, that win at Northwestern his redshirt freshman season still resonating, with me at least. And he's earned the traction in the locker room with his unparalleled (on this team) ability to lead and inspire others. My impression, at least. Based on intangibles, this competition wouldn't be one. But harping on Henry's more unseen qualities are just part of it. Purdue's running a more prostyle sort of offense now, the sort of offense Henry in past years might have fit into as poorly as Shaq in one of those sedans he endorses. But based on the practices we've gotten to see — all but two of them, by the way — the fifthyear senior looks like he's made himself into a fit. After playing the role of Swiss Army Knife for the offense his past few seasons on the field, Henry looks like a legitimate passer now. Determined to be a quarterback even though he may be Purdue's best all-around athlete, Henry's put work in, looks like. By the looks of it, he's put himself in a great position. Things are trending toward Henry being your opening- 13 20 ril 13, Ap register online day starter at Cincinnati come August. But that's still months away and Purdue has other options Henry will still have to fend off. The most important thing for the Boilermakers is that they have good options. j Neubert can be contacted at BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com k n/wal 5K ru E THE C LLENG HA tm support cancer research at Purdue www.thepurduechallenge.com All proceeds beneet the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 28 • 4