Hammer and Rails officially back in the swing of football and out of the summer slump. We’ve been publishing scattered content over the summer to keep our blog managers happy, but now it’s time to hit the gas.
I’m not going to lie, the vibes this season are weird. Granted, social media isn’t an accurate representation of the real world, but chronically online Purdue fans don’t seem excited about the season, or if they are, it’s with nervous energy. I haven’t seen that much on this site, but I get it.
Last season was tough, and Purdue also lost two of its top five players (Burks and Scourton) to Portal. Throw in a mind-numbingly idiotic schedule, and in 2024 the future media picked Purdue last in the Big10.
It is not the actual ringing support of the program.
I have seen more than one visible Purdue “fan” online who is ready to write off this season and start playing basketball as soon as possible. This is definitely something you can do too, but you’re missing out on one hell of an experiment, which brings me to this article.
TALENT
This is the most ON PAPER (notice how I wrote that) I’ve seen at Purdue. If you look at the blue chip ratio that has dominated college football recruiting for the past 20 years, this is by far the best Purdue team, ON PAPER.
Last season, Purdue barely fielded a starting lineup, and then when the inevitable injuries hit, things got even more talented. Let’s just say I’m going to Clemson vs Louisville in October and I’m rooting hard against the coach responsible for leaving the Boilermakers in the middle of the G5 list (If you look at my articles from the last few years isn’t this a new complaint, I actually complained about Brohm’s lack of leadership when he was at Purdue.
You don’t believe me?
Top 5 recruits and transfers led by Jeff Brohm
Per 247/Sports Composite
- George Karlaftis – 5* – (.9705)
- David Bell – 4* – (.9495)
- Brady Allen – 4* – (.9306)
- Maliq Carr – 4* – (9278)
- Nic Scourton – 4* – (.9191)
Top 5 recruits and transfers led by Ryan Walters
- Hudson Card -4*- (.9721)
- Nyland Green – 4*- (.9682)
- Tarrion Grant – 4*- (.9612)
- Koy Beasley – 4* – (.9419)
- Joey Tanona – 4* – (.9377)
I know, I know, Jeff Brohm didn’t have the entire portal at his disposal, and he’s done pretty well in Louisville. He also walked into the jokes of the athletic department, and it took him a while to get the train going. All fair points, but I’ll also give him credit for two guys who barely played at Purdue (and one guy he keeps recruiting at Louisville). I’d be shocked if that was the case with Walters. The only big question mark in terms of playing time is Tanona, but it sounds like he might be ready to roll sooner than expected after gaining weight back over the summer.
Granted, “talent” is not a panacea, and outside of Card and Green, that “talent” has yet to see a single piece of playing time in college football. It is possible that someone from the list above is a bust. It’s even possible that Card ends up being a “bust” when comparing his career to his high school ranking, but like Coach Walters, I’m totally on board with “Give me the talent and I’ll figure out the rest.”
But wait, there’s more (depth)
Not only is the talent better at the top of the roster, but the talent is scattered throughout the 2-Deeps. Last season the Boilermakers barely went 1 deep in several spots. This season, Purdue has a competent depth chart in addition to a few areas of concern where the team needs to stay healthy.
Offensively, the Boilermakers are set everywhere but for depth at running back and possibly quarterback. Card and Mockobee need to stay healthy, but that can be said for most teams’ QB1s and RB1s. The offensive line, after practically going 4 deep last year, has 8 or possibly 9 functional options this season. Purdue has gone from having no offensive tackle to almost having a surplus.
The same goes for the wide receiver. Purdue’s “two short and a slow dude” receiving group last season got a huge upgrade. Losing Burks hurt because he is a solid slot receiver, but I would trade him for a Purdue wide receiver without question. Now the Boilermakers have big guys, fast guys and fast guys. The big guys, in particular, must be a relief to offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, who loves throwing the ball out to physical receivers. He couldn’t do that last season because that receiver blew out his knee 2 weeks into the season and there was no one else on the team that could fill that role.
In addition to a completely revamped receiver group, the tight end position should be loaded with Max Klare returning from injury, George Burhenn fully fit and 4* freshman Tayvion Galloway looking for playing time.
On defense, the nose tackle is stacked with two returnees from last season and two 2023 recruits coming into the net after a redshirt year. Purdue could go 4 noses deep after two seasons of sweating.
There is talent at defensive end, but not as much proven depth. Still, I see at least 5 guys on the list that I wouldn’t stress about playing. Athletically, the starters should be a serious improvement after last season’s consistent but still underwhelming group. In fact, I have M’Ba as the Boilermakers’ MVP of the season. If Joe Strickland is ready to roll after two years of work to get the size of a defensive end, what looks like a possible spot of the week on the roster could be a strength. I’ll have to see it on the field before I believe it, but talent shouldn’t be an issue.
Center back can be a problem. If the defense falls apart because of injury, it will be because Jenkins gets hurt. Yanni as a serviceable middle linebacker in Purdue’s base defense gives the Boilermakers some depth. You have two that someone else steps up to give depth, but I don’t know who that player is yet. I like the talent of Jenkins and Karlaftis better this year, but the depth still needs work. For Caregivers, middle linebacker is where you should focus your energy on defense.
Outside linebacker took a big hit in Scourton’s win over A&M’s payroll, but Purdue isn’t without options on the edge. Like the rest of the defense, there are abilities available, and significantly more versatile, with a good mix of speed, strength and balanced types to choose from. I don’t think you’re going to get Nic Scourton’s numbers from any one player, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the position group as a whole makes the difference.
Finally, the secondary is basically brand new. I harped on Brohm’s cornerback recruiting for years, and last season it caught on with the Boilermakers in a big way. Purdue’s new staff essentially started from scratch in the corner and started late. When Marquis Wilson got hurt, it was basically Markevious Brown and whoever was healthy at cornerback, and Brown followed around the other team’s best receiver. Not only has Purdue improved the talent significantly this season, but they also have a significantly better depth chart after throwing a few guys from last year into the fire. It’s a fact to say that this is Purdue’s best “on paper” corners since the start of the “recruiting era.” Of course, this means nothing if the talent doesn’t translate to the field, but I’ll take unproven talent over proven mediocre talent any day of the week (and twice on Saturday).
Safety is an interesting position in this defense. We know Thieneman is set to play deep safety, but there are some options at strong safety as well. Veteran Antonio Stevens was a big win for Purdue in terms of recruiting, but his career was derailed by a nagging knee injury at the end of his freshman season. He returned to the field last season and played well when called upon. He has the prototype for the entire position at 6’2”, 220. I like Joseph Jefferson and Anthony Brown as assets, but I love the talent in the freshman class. Purdue killed it in recruiting last season, and the safety was the best overall. It will be fun to see if any of the young Bucks can fight their way onto the field this season.
Don’t forget the special teams!
Outside of offensive line and cornerback recruiting, kicker recruiting was generally a weak spot in Brohm’s administration. Walter walked a lot of nothing in terms of talent and depth at place kicker and then the ability he was injured. It’s hard to win close games when you can’t kick the ball, and Purdue couldn’t kick the ball. Join Spencer Porath, one of the most storied kickers in program history. He still needs to win the job, but again, he’s a huge talent, especially when you consider the depth.
Punting was also average last season, and to fix that, the staff hit the bullpen and got Aussie Kelan Crimmins from Mississippi State. Punting shouldn’t be a problem for the 6’3, 215-pound Crimmins, who looks like he could also play safety or wide receiver in a pinch.
Don’t believe the negative hype.
Purdue is better at almost every position this season, either in terms of starters or depth. The media’s problem with Purdue is the brutal schedule and untested talent. At the same time, I doubt the media has done much work looking at Purdue’s revamped roster. They saw the schedule, they saw the complete roster turnover and thought “Purdue has cheeks.”
What they miss is Purdue won 4 games with the worst talent in the Big10 last season and probably should have won 6 games. Purdue enters this season with the Big10’s mid-level talent, and unlike last season, they don’t have any glaring holes on the depth chart. Even positions that can be problematic, such as center back, have improved from last season.
As for the schedule, yes, it’s tough and very stupid, but not impossible. Purdue lost a couple of games deep last season (Northwestern comes to mind) and it’s not that big of a problem. The schedule is tight, but there is a clear path to 6 wins, and if you stare hard enough, 8 is not out of the question.
The fact, dear readers, is that no one knows what this Purdue team will look like because this is a completely different team in terms of talent. I think they will exceed their low expectations and finish the season in good standing. I’m not sure many people share my optimism, but I suggest you tune in and watch. If nothing else, this is a season where Purdue will put unprecedented (Purdue) talent on the field to try to combat an unprecedented schedule.
If nothing else, I think you’ll enjoy yourself.
#Purdue #Football #Reasons #Optimism #Talent