It has been a difficult week for Purdue recruiting this week, so why not have some positive vibes to end the week.
Here are Purdue mentions in the ESPN Top 50 True Freshman seasons of all time. No surprise here that there were no IU players on this list. Cannot post the entire article, because this is exclusive content.
That said, Bell was a no-brainer. Filling in for an injured Rondale Moore, he gained at least 100 yards in six of his last nine games and finished with 86 catches, 1,035 yards and 7 touchdowns.
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
1. Mike Williams, USC (2002)
2. Rondale Moore, Purdue (2018)
3. David Bell, Purdue (2019)
4. KD Cannon, Baylor (2014)
5. Marqise Lee, USC (2011)
6. Ronney Daniels, Auburn (1999)
7. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt (2002)
8. Sammy Watkins, Clemson (2011)
9. Tamarick Vanover, Florida State (1992)
10. Calvin Ridley, Alabama (2015)
DEFENSIVE LINE
1. Hugh Green, Pitt (1977)
2. Tommie Harris, Oklahoma (2001)
3. Ed Oliver, Houston (2016)
4. Simeon Rice, Illinois (1992)
5. Derek Barnett, Tennessee (2014)
6. Ross Browner, Notre Dame (1973)
7. William Perry, Clemson (1981)
8. George Karlaftis, Purdue (2019)
9. Roosevelt Nix, Kent State (2010)
10. Rodrique Wright, Texas (2002)
Here are Purdue mentions in the ESPN Top 50 True Freshman seasons of all time. No surprise here that there were no IU players on this list. Cannot post the entire article, because this is exclusive content.
48. WR David Bell, Purdue (2019)
You won't see many receivers on this list -- players at this position rarely made any sort of measurable first-year impact until the 2010s, while running backs were leaned on heavily from the moment the rule changed. (I chose 10 RBs and could have chosen about 25 more.)That said, Bell was a no-brainer. Filling in for an injured Rondale Moore, he gained at least 100 yards in six of his last nine games and finished with 86 catches, 1,035 yards and 7 touchdowns.
47. DE George Karlaftis, Purdue (2019)
Purdue's 2019 signing class featured six four-star prospects; two became all-timers. While Bell was finding his way in the Boilermakers' offense, Karlaftis was erupting for 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and an interception. He wasn't just a playmaker, though. His elite motor and pursuit abilities helped him finish the year third on the team in overall tackles as a 265-pound defensive end.WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
1. Mike Williams, USC (2002)
2. Rondale Moore, Purdue (2018)
3. David Bell, Purdue (2019)
4. KD Cannon, Baylor (2014)
5. Marqise Lee, USC (2011)
6. Ronney Daniels, Auburn (1999)
7. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt (2002)
8. Sammy Watkins, Clemson (2011)
9. Tamarick Vanover, Florida State (1992)
10. Calvin Ridley, Alabama (2015)
DEFENSIVE LINE
1. Hugh Green, Pitt (1977)
2. Tommie Harris, Oklahoma (2001)
3. Ed Oliver, Houston (2016)
4. Simeon Rice, Illinois (1992)
5. Derek Barnett, Tennessee (2014)
6. Ross Browner, Notre Dame (1973)
7. William Perry, Clemson (1981)
8. George Karlaftis, Purdue (2019)
9. Roosevelt Nix, Kent State (2010)
10. Rodrique Wright, Texas (2002)