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GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 20 • 7 BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com P erhaps no other three players would have been this good to get into Purdue's program early. In desperate need of some competitive, fiery, tough players who want to lead, freshmen Kirk Barron and David Blough certainly seem to fit those descriptions, and transfer Langston Newton will add some experience and good work ethic to the Boilermakers. "We're all the same. We all have that same attitude," Barron said, speaking generally of the en- tire recruiting class. "We weren't all heavily recruited, so we all have a chip on our shoulder, and I think we're all ready to work." Here's a quick look at the three players who started school in January and were present at Purdue's signing day press confer- ence last Wednesday. KirK Barron Though he'd seem to have one of the most unlikely chances for immediate playing time — stuck behind team MVP Robert Kugler at center — Barron still spouts his goals with bluster. Not only does he want to start but also to rise to All-America sta- tus in his first season at Purdue. For now, though, he knows he'll have to commence with competing in offseason work- outs with the rest of the interior linemen and make a push once spring practice begins March 6. "I think the best characteris- tic I'd bring would be an attitude toward the offensive line, just a mean streak," Barron said. Barron thinks he, and the rest of the group, can make an impres- sion early while displaying some key characteristics. "When you think about the game of football, you think about toughness and leadership be- cause you need to be tough to ob- viously play a physical game like it and with the leadership aspect, you need 11 guys pretty much working as one," Barron said. "I think this group brings that to this team and it'll show." Offensive line coach Jim Bridge saw some of that while watching Barron on film but was especially pleased to see his at- titude and fight in per- son, including work- ing with him twice at Purdue camps. "He's a dirt tough individual who can snap a football and re- ally get to the second level," Bridge said. "He will add a lot to the locker room." DaviD Blough It's not the arm strength that catches John Shoop's eye when he's recruiting quarter- backs. Most of the pros- pects at this level have to have that. What Purdue's quarterback coach and offensive coordinator wants is something uncommon. And he found it in Blough. "He's wired right," Shoop said. "A coach once told me, 'You want to have a motivated team? Get a bunch of motivated players.' I'm not sure we recruited a guy who's more motivated than him to be a great player. "I can't always define what it is in a leadership quality that sets someone apart, but you know Bringing fight, Desire Early enrollees ready to work Tom Campbell Freshmen David Blough and Kirk Barron joined transfer Langston Newton as mid-year enrollees in January, and all have been working in Purdue's offseason conditioning and weight-lifting program. f o o t b a l l r e c r u i t i n g f e a t u r e : m i d - y e a r e n r o l l e e s I've got service, yes I do ... P097275.2 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL Call me for your insurance needs and see how it feels to be on a #1 team. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® CALL ME TODAY. And I am ready to prove it. Trent B Johnson, Agent 249 E State Street West Lafayette, IN 47906 Bus: 765-743-9595 trentismyagent.com