Who will be the camp standout(s)?
What incoming freshmen will look good enough to contribute this year?
What upperclassmen will take a big step forward?
McKenna, Alexander, Johnson, and Moore are the newcomers I'll be the most curious about (not including the early enrollees). That is who I think is most likely to contribute early, but I think any of the incoming Dline/WR/Oline have a chance to see time early based on if they can show they are ready. Especially with the new redshirt rule.
Kirk, Blough/Sindelar, and Bailey are the obvious leaders. There leadership is going to go a long way this season. I don't think it will be an issue with them taking over the reigns. I think the season goes as they go.
As for upperclassmen, I expect the WKU transfer Dennis Edwards to have the biggest newcomer impact. He is one of the better Olinemen in the nation and will step right in at a position of need. I expect some freshmen to play out of need, but Edwards will start right away and should be one of the better players in the Big.
WR/Dline are the positions that will dictate how high Purdue can go this year. If Moore can step in with an immediate impact, giving a reliable threat at the WR position, that will help. The WR core should be better this year, but that really hinges on Moore.
Dline has the most questions. WR got the most reliable weapons from last year back with lots of new talent coming in. Dline essentially hits the rest button. Higgins and Neal is probably the only given at this point. The rest will probably be rotation. Marks and Johnson may play significant time as true freshmen. Normally, that is less than ideal, but they both have good size. It doesn't help us this year, but the '19 class has really focused on the Dline, and will being in some elite players in that area. Holt will have to be creative to get to the QB and luckily, he has two really good players at LB with some DBs that can get after the QB as well. The big thing for this Dline is don't get pushed around. With a good set of DBs, hopefully they can buy some more time for the line to get to the QBs.
Committees: right now it looks like it will be RB/QB/DL by committee. Who will stand out in those positions.
Improvements: this staff is so good, look for a few players to improve significantly. If those players are on the offensive/defensive line, Purdue could really surprise some folks.
What is the most important thing about camp?
Staying healthy is first and foremost. Purdue does not yet have the depth to deal with major injuries. Staying healthy is almost always the most important thing in camp. Can't take an L before the season even starts. The second most is getting everybody (especially the newcomers) up to speed and back into playing condition. Also, this will be the second year for Purdue in this offense, look for coach to open up the playbook a little.
It feels like 3 years since the Bowl win and we are still a few weeks away from actual games. This will help a little, but I can't wait for that first game!!
What incoming freshmen will look good enough to contribute this year?
What upperclassmen will take a big step forward?
McKenna, Alexander, Johnson, and Moore are the newcomers I'll be the most curious about (not including the early enrollees). That is who I think is most likely to contribute early, but I think any of the incoming Dline/WR/Oline have a chance to see time early based on if they can show they are ready. Especially with the new redshirt rule.
Kirk, Blough/Sindelar, and Bailey are the obvious leaders. There leadership is going to go a long way this season. I don't think it will be an issue with them taking over the reigns. I think the season goes as they go.
As for upperclassmen, I expect the WKU transfer Dennis Edwards to have the biggest newcomer impact. He is one of the better Olinemen in the nation and will step right in at a position of need. I expect some freshmen to play out of need, but Edwards will start right away and should be one of the better players in the Big.
WR/Dline are the positions that will dictate how high Purdue can go this year. If Moore can step in with an immediate impact, giving a reliable threat at the WR position, that will help. The WR core should be better this year, but that really hinges on Moore.
Dline has the most questions. WR got the most reliable weapons from last year back with lots of new talent coming in. Dline essentially hits the rest button. Higgins and Neal is probably the only given at this point. The rest will probably be rotation. Marks and Johnson may play significant time as true freshmen. Normally, that is less than ideal, but they both have good size. It doesn't help us this year, but the '19 class has really focused on the Dline, and will being in some elite players in that area. Holt will have to be creative to get to the QB and luckily, he has two really good players at LB with some DBs that can get after the QB as well. The big thing for this Dline is don't get pushed around. With a good set of DBs, hopefully they can buy some more time for the line to get to the QBs.
Committees: right now it looks like it will be RB/QB/DL by committee. Who will stand out in those positions.
Improvements: this staff is so good, look for a few players to improve significantly. If those players are on the offensive/defensive line, Purdue could really surprise some folks.
What is the most important thing about camp?
Staying healthy is first and foremost. Purdue does not yet have the depth to deal with major injuries. Staying healthy is almost always the most important thing in camp. Can't take an L before the season even starts. The second most is getting everybody (especially the newcomers) up to speed and back into playing condition. Also, this will be the second year for Purdue in this offense, look for coach to open up the playbook a little.
It feels like 3 years since the Bowl win and we are still a few weeks away from actual games. This will help a little, but I can't wait for that first game!!
