Payne Durham sported a fresh buzz cut. It's one way to help beat the heat.
The first training camp practice is in the books. Let’s take a Deep Dive!
1. No surprise to see the No. 1 o-line was LT Eric Miller, LG Spencer Holstege, C Gus Hartwig, RG Marcus Mbow and RT Cam Craig. Kent State transfer Daniel Johnson also saw some reps with the first-team. He looks like a Big Ten tackle. Tall, rangy. The No. 2 line: RT Mahamane Moussa, RG Jared Bycznski; C Josh Kaltenberger; LG Sione Finau; LT Johnson. Holstege is the No. 2 center in actuality.
2. The d-line is swimming in options. The LEOs today were Kydran Jenkins, Yanni Karlaftis, Scotty Humpich, Nic Caraway and Jayden Scruggs. The DEs were Jack Sullivan, Khordae Sydnor, Joe Anderson and Joe Strickland. The DTs were Branson Deen, Lawrence Johnson, Damarjhe Lewis, DJ Washington, Greg Hudgins, J.P. Deeter, Prince James Boyd, Cole Brevard, Sulaiman Kpaka and Tristan Cox. Didn’t see Mo Omonode. Purdue hopes to have him back in a few days.
3. Cole Brevard looks like a full-grown man. And Nic Caraway’s body shimmers. He looked good in individual drills. So quick and powerful. Keep an eye on those two.
4. TE Payne Durham sported a buzz cut, which was a contrast to the flowing locks he sported at Big Ten media days in Indianapolis last week. It’s no doubt a nod to comfort and cool in the August heat. Eric Miller, Gus Hartwig and Jared Bycznski also were spotted with buzz cuts.
5. CB Jamari Brown, CB Cory Trice, S Sanoussi Kane and CB Tee Denson all spent practice mostly rehabbing away from the team. And CB Brandon Calloway appeared to get dinged. That left Purdue with thin ranks at CBs, which caused backup QB Kyle Adams to be used as a CB in 11-on-11 team work late in practice.
6. From first glance, Central Michigan RB Kobe Lewis looks good. Yes, the players were just in helmets and shorts, but Bryant has a burst and showed cutting ability. His body is chiseled, too. The pecking order at RB was King Lewis, Dylan Downing, Lewis and Devin Mockobee. Yes, Tyrone Tracy got some work at RB.
7. During punt return work, Purdue had Charlie Jones, Reese Taylor, Zion Steptoe and Brandon Calloway taking turns.
8. Looking for a wideout who flashed today? Look no further than Collin Sullivan.
A look at a Guardian cap Purdue players are wearing in practice.
9. Linemen are adorning Guardian caps on their helmets, which has been a growing trend at all levels of football nationwide. But, they’re new to Purdue. Guardian caps are padded shells placed on top of a helmet. It is an initiative to try to protect players’ heads.
“Well, we've thought about that for a couple years now,” said Jeff Brohm. “And I think you'll see more and more college teams going into that for safety reasons. You now see the NFL has adopted that throughout the league for safety reasons. So, we're gonna look at it through camp on our offensive and defensive line, linebackers, running backs and tight ends. Anything that can help safety-wise take off some hits, possibly help with limiting concussions. So, we want to make sure we see if this can help us.”
10. The No. 1 front seven: LEO Scotty Humpich; T Branson Deen; NT Damarjhe Lewis; E Jack Sullivan; LBs: Jalen Graham; Kieren Douglas; Semisi Fakasiieiki
11. QB pecking order: Aidan O’Connell; Austin Burton; Michael Alaimo; Brady Allen; Kyle Adams
11. Deion Burks is now wearing No. 4.
12. Strange to see no Anthrops on the field. It’s the first time since 2011 there has been no Anthrop playing football for Purdue. Danny played from 2012-15, and Jackson from 2016-2021.
Thanks for reading!
Last edited:
