DE Joe Strickland will be out a couple weeks with mono.
Let’s do a Deep Dive after practice No. 8.
1. Light workout today, as players sported jerseys and shorts … no helmets. There is a closed scrimmage on Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium. It's about to get serious.
2. True freshman DE Joe Strickland hasn’t participated the last two days as he deals with mono. The four-star prospect figures to be out for two weeks.
3. Fellow d-lineman Branson Deen also wasn’t part of the action, as expected. He’s dealing with a slight strain in his left leg suffered on Thursday and is expected to be out a few days. Nothing serious.
Like Deen, Jalen Graham also was on the sideline—as expected—as the dynamic linebacker deals with a slight hamstring strain suffered on Tuesday. I doubt either takes part in the scrimmage.
4. Damarjhe Lewis has a broken left ankle. He's out for the season. No chance for return this fall. This is a big loss, as Lewis backed up at NT and three-tech. Lewis was considered to be the fifth starter, if you will, on the d-line. The backup spots at both positions are fluid. It most likely will be a combination of a couple of guys at each position to fill the backup roles.
5. Checked out the punt team, which was lined up thusly:
Deion Burks, Chris Jefferson, Clyde Washington, Semisi Fakasiieiki. Nick Zecchino, Dylan Downing, Cam Allen. The three protectors in front of punter Jack Ansell: Khordae Sydnor, Jack Sullivan and Payne Durham.
6. The kickoff team looked like this:
Clyde Washington, O.C. Brothers, Jacob Wahlberg, Ryan Brandt, Semisi Fakasiieiki, Dylan Downing, Chris Jefferson, Bryce Hampton, Alex Marshall and Deion Burks with Chris Van Eekeren kicking.
7. Thought it was illuminating when o-line coach Dale Williams said redshirt freshman G Marcus Mbow can be as good as any lineman Purdue has had of late. Lots to like about Mbow, who’s probably the most athletic blocker on the roster. And, he has an air of confidence, too. He knows he belongs.
8. Big OT Daniel Johnson was part of the action after dealing with an ankle sprain. Good thing, as the Kent State transfer is a key part of the o-line depth. S Antonio Stevens continues to deal with a hamstring issue.
9. Hearing good things about true frosh OL Malachi Preciado. He has been by far the best of the four frosh OLs (Vince Carpenter, Andre' Oben, Cross Watson are the others). The 6-2, 300-pound Louisiana native is athletic and an aggressive blocker who loves football. The hope is he develops into a Kirk Barron-style center.
10. Purdue added a walk-on OL this week: Drew Woodruff. He’s a 6-3, 275-pound product of Louisville, Ky. from Trinity High, Jeff Brohm’s alma mater. Woodruff wears No. 67 and projects as a center/guard.
11. CB Cory Trice still has a brace on his left knee. He still was active today.
12. OT Eric Miller is one of the more affable players. And you can see why he’s a popular teammate. Word is, Miller likes to bake. And we know he can dance, as others attest the 6-7, 305-pounder looked good on the dance floor at Aidan O’Connell’s wedding last month. Miller may even bring some baked good—cookies are his thing—to the O’Connell’s place when the line comes for dinner.
13. No red jerseys for WRs Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen and Preston Terrell. Will be interesting to see if they are full participants in the Saturday scrimmage. Also saw WRs Mershawn Rice and Broc Thompson today. Thompson is expected to suit up and play on Saturday.
14. More special teams observations: Hands team. These guys all worked on recovering onside kicks today: Deion Burks, Chris Jefferson, Andrew Sowinski, Tyrone Tracy, Cory Trice, Payne Durham, T.J. Sheffield, King Doerue, Bryce Hampton, Charlie Jones, Reese Taylor, Michael Alaimo.
15. C Gus Hartwig has a glorious beard. I hope he keeps it all season. Hartwig's beard would make "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan proud.
Open practices are finished, which is a bummer.
Thanks for reading!
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