Let's take a Deep Dive into Tuesday's practice ...
• As I mentioned earlier, Semisi Fakasiieiki was at practice today with a boot up to his knee on his right left. Not sure yet on time of recovery. Nice moment when a group of players surrounded Fakasiieiki--who was on a little scooter--and wished him well.
• Without Fakasiieiki, the No. 1 LB unit was Jalen Graham at SAM; Kieren Douglas at MIKE; OC Brothers at WILL. And, remember, Jaylan Alexander will be a first-teamer when the season kicks off. He could start at MLB, where he has been cross-trained. He traditionally is a WILL. From how I understand the LB roles, the MIKE and WILL are pretty similar, closer to the line. The SAM plays more in space and is less likely to be able to shift to MIKE or WILL. Yanni Karlaftis is behind Graham at SAM. Other possibilities at MIKE: Clyde Washington, Khali Saunders, Jacob Wahlberg and Ben Kreul.
• Co-OC/WR coach JaMarcus Shephard said after practice his WRs are graded on myriad items in practices, things like targets, catches, drops, missed assignments, fumbles ... one if "softs." What are "softs?" Basically when a player gets tackled too easy, is hesitant on a block, etc. You don't want a lot of "softs." Another mantra in the WR room: "EBE." That means "Every Body Eats. When one guys succeeds, they all succeed.
• Mentioned Marcus Mbow before and I will again. The 6-5, 305-pound true freshman OT from Milwaukee showed a lot this summer before he hurt his ankle. Mbow should be back in about a week. Gotta feeling this kid is gonna be good. No. 63. Check him out.
• With Western Kentucky transfer Tyler Witt out nursing an ankle, sophomore Cam Craig has been running with the No. 1 o-line at right guard. Craig will be valuable this season at guard or tackle.
• Fifth-year senior DJ Washington was working with the offense today. He had been with the d-line at tackle. Washington may have to play both lines as a backup. He started one game at guard in 2020. Given the depth concerns on the o-line, it would seem to make sense to have Washington primarily at guard, as depth at d-tackle is solid. Stay tuned.
• Yes, redshirt freshman Jared Bycznski is the center on the No. 2 o-line in practices. But the real No. 2 center is sophomore Spencer Holstege. He would shift over from left guard to snap if something happens to No. 1 center Gus Hartwig with sophomore Cam Craig taking over Holstege’s guard slot.
• Keep hearing about WRs David Bell and Milton Wright being moved around to keep defenses off balance. The staff wants to make it difficult on defenses. Bell and Wright will flip sides, be on the outside, in the slot. Who knows where? Should be fun. Purdue has to maximize the talents of these future pros.
• Findlay University transfer free safety Chris Jefferson has been a great surprise. At 5-11, 190, he looks a bit small out on the field. But he can move, and he’s savvy. I expect Jefferson to make a big impact … maybe a very big impact in 2021.
• Purdue has talked of deploying wideouts in the backfield. And we saw some of it today on quick-pitches. That was a wrinkle Jeff Brohm talked about in the offseason. Players like WRs TJ Sheffield and Jackson Anthrop will be used from time-to-time as change-of-pace options running the ball in various ways to add “juice” to the ground game. It's a good idea.
• Former QB Paul Piferi looks the role of a tight end. The guy has re-made his body, listed at 6-5, 240. No doubt, the sophomore looks the part. He made a nice catch and TD run at one point today. Gotta be happy for him. But it is a crowded tight end room with Payne Durham, Garrett Miller, Kyle Bilodeau, Jack Cravaack, Ben Beuchel and Drew Biber. In all, Purdue has seven tight ends (six on scholarship). And one is committed in the Class of 2022.
Thanks for reading!
• As I mentioned earlier, Semisi Fakasiieiki was at practice today with a boot up to his knee on his right left. Not sure yet on time of recovery. Nice moment when a group of players surrounded Fakasiieiki--who was on a little scooter--and wished him well.
• Without Fakasiieiki, the No. 1 LB unit was Jalen Graham at SAM; Kieren Douglas at MIKE; OC Brothers at WILL. And, remember, Jaylan Alexander will be a first-teamer when the season kicks off. He could start at MLB, where he has been cross-trained. He traditionally is a WILL. From how I understand the LB roles, the MIKE and WILL are pretty similar, closer to the line. The SAM plays more in space and is less likely to be able to shift to MIKE or WILL. Yanni Karlaftis is behind Graham at SAM. Other possibilities at MIKE: Clyde Washington, Khali Saunders, Jacob Wahlberg and Ben Kreul.
• Co-OC/WR coach JaMarcus Shephard said after practice his WRs are graded on myriad items in practices, things like targets, catches, drops, missed assignments, fumbles ... one if "softs." What are "softs?" Basically when a player gets tackled too easy, is hesitant on a block, etc. You don't want a lot of "softs." Another mantra in the WR room: "EBE." That means "Every Body Eats. When one guys succeeds, they all succeed.
• Mentioned Marcus Mbow before and I will again. The 6-5, 305-pound true freshman OT from Milwaukee showed a lot this summer before he hurt his ankle. Mbow should be back in about a week. Gotta feeling this kid is gonna be good. No. 63. Check him out.
• With Western Kentucky transfer Tyler Witt out nursing an ankle, sophomore Cam Craig has been running with the No. 1 o-line at right guard. Craig will be valuable this season at guard or tackle.
• Fifth-year senior DJ Washington was working with the offense today. He had been with the d-line at tackle. Washington may have to play both lines as a backup. He started one game at guard in 2020. Given the depth concerns on the o-line, it would seem to make sense to have Washington primarily at guard, as depth at d-tackle is solid. Stay tuned.
• Yes, redshirt freshman Jared Bycznski is the center on the No. 2 o-line in practices. But the real No. 2 center is sophomore Spencer Holstege. He would shift over from left guard to snap if something happens to No. 1 center Gus Hartwig with sophomore Cam Craig taking over Holstege’s guard slot.
• Keep hearing about WRs David Bell and Milton Wright being moved around to keep defenses off balance. The staff wants to make it difficult on defenses. Bell and Wright will flip sides, be on the outside, in the slot. Who knows where? Should be fun. Purdue has to maximize the talents of these future pros.
• Findlay University transfer free safety Chris Jefferson has been a great surprise. At 5-11, 190, he looks a bit small out on the field. But he can move, and he’s savvy. I expect Jefferson to make a big impact … maybe a very big impact in 2021.
• Purdue has talked of deploying wideouts in the backfield. And we saw some of it today on quick-pitches. That was a wrinkle Jeff Brohm talked about in the offseason. Players like WRs TJ Sheffield and Jackson Anthrop will be used from time-to-time as change-of-pace options running the ball in various ways to add “juice” to the ground game. It's a good idea.
• Former QB Paul Piferi looks the role of a tight end. The guy has re-made his body, listed at 6-5, 240. No doubt, the sophomore looks the part. He made a nice catch and TD run at one point today. Gotta be happy for him. But it is a crowded tight end room with Payne Durham, Garrett Miller, Kyle Bilodeau, Jack Cravaack, Ben Beuchel and Drew Biber. In all, Purdue has seven tight ends (six on scholarship). And one is committed in the Class of 2022.
Thanks for reading!
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