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Ben Furtney - Sr.
South Elgin, IL (St. Charles North)
6', 235 pounds
Fullback
2024 Projection: Starter at Fullback
Furtney is a fun story. He came to Purdue as a walk-on in 2020 and was primarily a linebacker. He redshirted that year, but found a home on special teams for 11 games in 2021. That year he ended up returning one kickoff for six yards. He stayed on Special teams in 2022 and started lining up as Purdue's primary fullback on offense. Agaisnt Maryland he caught a key 20 yard pass out of the backfield in the fourth quarter on 3rd and 2 that kept Purdue's go ahead drive going. He only played in 8 games that year due to injury, but he returned in 2023 to play in all 12 games, amassing four special teams tackles.
Going into this season Furtney will likely continue to be a special teams ace while occasionally lining up at fullback when needed.