Spring practice No. 3 is in the books. Let’s take a Deep Dive!
1. The squad was padded-up on Friday. And the offensive and defensive linemen squared off in some pass rush-pass block combat. The highlight: A clash between OT Marcus Mbow and LEO Scotty Humpich. Mbow got the better of Humpich, pushing him to the ground. On the next rep, Humpich clubbed past Mbow. A nice exchange.
Some other notable battles:
Sulaiman Kpaka had a nice bull rush over Nalin Fox and Zach Richards
Spencer Holstege handled Branson Deen
Gus Hartwig got the best of Damarjhe Lewis
Mahamane Moussa topped Joe Anderson
Jared Bycznski won vs. Greg Hudgins
Mo Omonode whipped Josh Kaltenberger
Good stuff.
2. DE Jack Sullivan practiced for the first time, as a class conflict will make him frequently inactive this spring. He just has the stride of a confident veteran. No doubt, Sullivan is one of the most underrated players on the squad. He could be a real factor in 2022.
3. Aidan O’Connell has many great qualities, including uncanny accuracy and pocket presence. But he’s not a great athlete. He has worked to become more limber doing an athletic improvement program with Bobby Stroupe of Athletic Performance Enhancement Center. By being more flexible, it’s hoped O’Connell will be a bit more nimble. Jeff Brohm always wants O’Connell to tuck-and-run when he can. O’Connell may be more suited to do that in 2022. ... speaking of O'Connell, he plans to get married in late July to Purdue volleyball player Jael Johnson.
4. It will be interesting to watch the LEO and end spots sort out. Line coach Mark Hagen has some nice options at each position. With George Karlaftis gone, the No. 1 end projects to be Jack Sullivant. Joe Anderson is the likely backup with four-star freshman Joe Strickland making a push.
The No. 1 LEO in the fall likely will be Kydran Jenkins, who started there in 2021. Murray State transfer Scotty Humpich already is flashing at the spot and Khordae Sydnor is another option along with Yanni Karlaftis. Incoming freshman Nic Caraway is an X-factor. He earned a fourth star from Rivals after excelling in a postseason all-star game. Caraway also could land at end if not LEO.
5. Some new players missed Friday’s workout. CB Brandon Calloway had a boot on. CB Reese Taylor wasn’t suited up. Didn’t see TE Garrett Miller or RB Sampson James.
6. Another practice, another nice effort by Iowa WR transfer Tyrone Tracy. Brian Brohm said what we all knew: Tracy will be used like Jackson Anthrop was last year, a Swiss Army knife weapon. But, if it was up to me, I’d make Tracy a full-time RB. I think Purdue has enough talent at WR to make the position strong, while Tracy’s skills could really enhance a running back room that needs some juice.
7. Good to see former Boiler Derrick Barnes at practice. He is coming off a nice rookie season at Detroit. Former Boiler director of player development Sean Pugh also was in attendance. Pugh is the Lions’ co-director of player engagement in the Player Wellness department.
DERRICK BARNES WAS BACK TO WATCH FRIDAY'S PRACTICE.
8. In case you are wondering who the top five centers are: 1. Gus Hartwig; 2. Josh Kaltenberger; 3. Spencer Holstege; 4. Jared Bycznski; 5. Aaron Roberts. Sometimes, Kaltenberger and Holstege flip No. 2-3.
9. FWIW ... When Purdue was working on punts, the staff had King Doerue, Zion Steptoe and Andrew Sowinski fielding kicks.
10. What type of arm talent does Brady Allen have? Co-OC/QB coach Brian Brohm said the only Purdue QB he has worked with who has a stronger arm was Elijah Sindelar.
Speaking of Allen, he has shown roomate Joe Strickland his state title ring. Of course, Allen led Gibson Southern over Strickland's Brebeuf Jesuit High squad in the 2021 3A title game. BTW: Allen plans to attend his high school prom, which is the same day as Purdue's spring game on April 9.
THANKS for reading!
1. The squad was padded-up on Friday. And the offensive and defensive linemen squared off in some pass rush-pass block combat. The highlight: A clash between OT Marcus Mbow and LEO Scotty Humpich. Mbow got the better of Humpich, pushing him to the ground. On the next rep, Humpich clubbed past Mbow. A nice exchange.
Some other notable battles:
Sulaiman Kpaka had a nice bull rush over Nalin Fox and Zach Richards
Spencer Holstege handled Branson Deen
Gus Hartwig got the best of Damarjhe Lewis
Mahamane Moussa topped Joe Anderson
Jared Bycznski won vs. Greg Hudgins
Mo Omonode whipped Josh Kaltenberger
Good stuff.
2. DE Jack Sullivan practiced for the first time, as a class conflict will make him frequently inactive this spring. He just has the stride of a confident veteran. No doubt, Sullivan is one of the most underrated players on the squad. He could be a real factor in 2022.
3. Aidan O’Connell has many great qualities, including uncanny accuracy and pocket presence. But he’s not a great athlete. He has worked to become more limber doing an athletic improvement program with Bobby Stroupe of Athletic Performance Enhancement Center. By being more flexible, it’s hoped O’Connell will be a bit more nimble. Jeff Brohm always wants O’Connell to tuck-and-run when he can. O’Connell may be more suited to do that in 2022. ... speaking of O'Connell, he plans to get married in late July to Purdue volleyball player Jael Johnson.
4. It will be interesting to watch the LEO and end spots sort out. Line coach Mark Hagen has some nice options at each position. With George Karlaftis gone, the No. 1 end projects to be Jack Sullivant. Joe Anderson is the likely backup with four-star freshman Joe Strickland making a push.
The No. 1 LEO in the fall likely will be Kydran Jenkins, who started there in 2021. Murray State transfer Scotty Humpich already is flashing at the spot and Khordae Sydnor is another option along with Yanni Karlaftis. Incoming freshman Nic Caraway is an X-factor. He earned a fourth star from Rivals after excelling in a postseason all-star game. Caraway also could land at end if not LEO.
5. Some new players missed Friday’s workout. CB Brandon Calloway had a boot on. CB Reese Taylor wasn’t suited up. Didn’t see TE Garrett Miller or RB Sampson James.
6. Another practice, another nice effort by Iowa WR transfer Tyrone Tracy. Brian Brohm said what we all knew: Tracy will be used like Jackson Anthrop was last year, a Swiss Army knife weapon. But, if it was up to me, I’d make Tracy a full-time RB. I think Purdue has enough talent at WR to make the position strong, while Tracy’s skills could really enhance a running back room that needs some juice.
7. Good to see former Boiler Derrick Barnes at practice. He is coming off a nice rookie season at Detroit. Former Boiler director of player development Sean Pugh also was in attendance. Pugh is the Lions’ co-director of player engagement in the Player Wellness department.
DERRICK BARNES WAS BACK TO WATCH FRIDAY'S PRACTICE.
8. In case you are wondering who the top five centers are: 1. Gus Hartwig; 2. Josh Kaltenberger; 3. Spencer Holstege; 4. Jared Bycznski; 5. Aaron Roberts. Sometimes, Kaltenberger and Holstege flip No. 2-3.
9. FWIW ... When Purdue was working on punts, the staff had King Doerue, Zion Steptoe and Andrew Sowinski fielding kicks.
10. What type of arm talent does Brady Allen have? Co-OC/QB coach Brian Brohm said the only Purdue QB he has worked with who has a stronger arm was Elijah Sindelar.
Speaking of Allen, he has shown roomate Joe Strickland his state title ring. Of course, Allen led Gibson Southern over Strickland's Brebeuf Jesuit High squad in the 2021 3A title game. BTW: Allen plans to attend his high school prom, which is the same day as Purdue's spring game on April 9.
THANKS for reading!
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