AIDAN O'CONNELL IS LOOKING TO WIN THE QB JOB A SECOND SEASON IN A ROW.
Let’s take a Deep Dive into Saturday’s practice, the second of training camp …
• Each QB has his moments in the first two practices, as the battle to be the starter marches on. On Saturday, no one stood out between Jack Plummer, Aidan O’Connell, Austin Burton and Michael Alaimo. Maybe some separation will take place as camp advances. But this figures to be a close race. I still think there is a premium on throwing it well.
What is QB coach Brian Brohm looking for?
“There are a lot of things on the checklist. … We are always looking for the best decision-makers, the most accurate throwers, the toughest guys. And they gotta prove that every single day. We try to vigorously grade every single rep they take in practice. I am pretty open with what grade they are getting and telling them that. They know where they stand every single day. So they know it’s a close competition. … “
• First two o-line configurations remained the same as Friday.
First team, L-R: Greg Long, Spencer Holstege, Gus Hartwig, Tyler Witt, Eric Miller
Second team, L-R: Cam Craig, Jaelin Alstott-VanDeVanter, Jared Bycznski, Josh Kaltenberger, Dave Monnot
If you are really into it, the third-team tackles were Mahamane Moussa (left) and Gus German (right). Ben Kuhns is a guard, with Aaron Roberts at center.
Biggest surprise: Seeing true freshman Alstott-VanDeVanter on the second team at left guard. This is a guy who didn't play a lot of football before he got to Purdue.
• S Marvin Grant and CB Nyles Beverly weren’t in action after each got dinged in the opening practice on Friday. CB Jamari Brown also was out again with a hamstring issue suffered prior to the opening of camp. CB Anthony Romphf was back in action after leaving the field for a bit on Friday. With Grant out, Sanoussi Kane moved onto the No. 1 defense. The sophomore had a nice scoop-and-score late in practice.
• Speaking of making plays, S Cam Allen had a nice pick in simulated action. He always seems to be around the ball. This is a guy who primarily was a quarterback in high school.
• For the second practice in a row, senior LB Jaylan Alexander was on the second-team defense. This is a guy who started five of six games in 2020, was second on the team with 49 tackles and was honorable mention All-Big Ten. The No. 1 LB unit has been Jalen Graham, Semisi Fakasiieiki and OC Brothers. Alexander has been with Khali Saunders and Kieren Douglas.
• Late in Saturday’s practice, LEO DaMarcus Mitchell was helped off the field. He remained with the No. 2 defense on Saturday. Kydran Jenkins is the No. 1 LEO.
• Neil Callaway is a demonstrative assistant who coaches his guys hard. He was leading the charge of the o-line on this day. He is old-school. D-line coach Mark Hagen is another guy who works his players hard. Purdue looks to be in good hands in the trenches with these two.
• Can’t say this often enough, but super senior Semisi Fakasiieiki looks fantastic at Mike linebacker. Yes, he may not excel in coverage. But Fakasiieiki is a downhill player who can hit and plug a hole. I also am told he is one of the most respected leaders on the defense.
• Purdue has six quarterbacks. And it had six players snapping to each during warmups: Gus Hartwig, Spencer Holstege, Jared Bycznski, Josh Kaltenberger, Aaron Roberts and Mahamane Moussa.
• FBs Will Chapman and Zac Tuinei were working at LB on Saturday.
• Three true freshmen to watch on D: CB Brandon Calloway, LEO Tristan Cox and LB Yanni Karlaftis. Calloway is a surprise player.
Thanks for reading!
