WR MILTON WRIGHT WAS AT MONDAY'S PRACTICE.
Spring practice No. 4 is in the books. Let’s take a Deep Dive!
1. George Karlaftis was prowling the sidelines, fresh off his NFL Combine workout. Projected to be a first-round draft choice, Karlaftis will take part in Purdue’s Pro Day on March 29. Until then, he will workout at Purdue. After practice, Karlaftis lingered on the field with younger brother Yanni, showing him some pointers now that Yanni is playing along the line at LEO.
2. WR Tyrone Tracy continues to excel. He was at it again on Monday, making some nice catches—one a sliding effort. He also showed some speed and moves as a ballcarrier. Tracy got his share of work in the backfield with Sampson James missing practice again. The Indiana transfer has taken part in just one of Purdue’s four practices thus far. Dylan Downing is out this spring after shoulder surgery. King Doerue grinds on. Purdue could really use transfer help at RB.
3. At times during team drills, Purdue had a d-line that featured three true freshmen and a redshirt freshman: E Joe Strickland, NT Mo Omonode, DT J.P. Deeter, LEO Yanni Karlaftis. Four very promising players.
4. Speaking of Strickland, his father Vern played college hoops at Auburn (1983-86). His teammate: Charles Barkley. Joe Strickland says the two stay in touch and Joe has met Barkley. More Strickland: He is rooming with Brady Allen. Strickland says he has a magnet on their fridge that features him sacking Allen in the 2021 state title game. With Stirckland's mother Amy being a Purdue grad and his dad an Auburn man, the NCAA tourney should be super-charged in the Strickland house.
5. We saw Purdue run some option last year. And, the offense ran it a couple times today with Aidan O’Connell and Michael Alaimo each taking a turn executing the option.
6. A player who has caught my eye a few times this spring: DL Sulaiman Kpaka. The redshirt junior has had a difficult time staying healthy in his Purdue career. He has looked good this spring, showing a burst off the ball and making plays. He is an end by trade who also could see some time inside. Poised for a 2022 breakout? Maybe.
7. LEO Scotty Humpich shows some explosion off the edge in one-on-one pass-rush drills. On one rep, he blew by a would-be blocker. A scrum/skirmish broke out at one juncture of the drills. Speaking of players who are difficult to block: true frosh Mo Omonode has been just that. The West Lafayette High product is relentless, time and again beating his man. DL boss Mark Hagen has Omonode at NT and thinks he can add another 10-15 pounds to his 6-0/285-pound frame and not lose a step.
There are some good options at LEO, with Yanni Karlaftis and Khordae Sydnor at the spot along with Humpich. Keep an eye on Sydnor, a player the staff likes. He probably is the No. 1 LEO right now with Kydran Jenkins out this spring (biceps).
8. Guess who was at practice? WR Milton Wright, who wasn't in full gear. He is devoting most of his time this spring to academics, as he works to become eligible. Had not seen Wright at any of Purdue's first three practices. Fingers are crossed for Wright, but he has a lot of work to do, I am told.
9. D-line coach Mark Hagen would like to be three-deep at each spot on the line. And, he may get there with some quality options for a unit with better depth than last year.
Fall projections:
E: Sullivan, Anderson, Kpaka, Strickland
NT: Johnson, Washington, Boyd/Omonode
T: Deen, Lewis, Hudgins
LEO: Jenkins, Sydnor, Humpich, Karlaftis
10. The LB unit has potential. Here is how they should lineup in the fall:
WLB O.C. Brothers/Clyde Washington
MLB Kieren Douglas/Semisi Fakasiieiki/Jacob Wahlberg
SLB Jalen Graham/Ben Kreul
LB is one position that has most of its key personnel this spring. Fakasiieiki was at practice today but not suited up. TE Garrett Miller also wasn’t suited up for the second practice in a row. FIU transfer G Sione Finau has yet to practice. CB Reese Taylor was back at it after missing Friday.
11. Cam Allen made one of the best plays of the day when he picked off an Aidan O’Connell pass. Joe Anderson also caused a stir with a batted pass. This is a big spring for the former South Carolina Gamecock, who is getting lots of reps with Jack Sullivan at only Friday practices due to a class conflict. QB Austin Burton also had a nice long bomb to Zion Steptoe.
THANKS for reading!!
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