• On the Yanni Karlaftis front, he was moved from LEO to LB early last week. I believe Karlaftis wanted to stay at LEO. It’s the position he asked to be moved to after arriving on campus as a LB in the Class of 2021. He just feels most comfortable playing up front instead of in space. And big bro George could offer some help, too, though he was a DE and not a LEO.
The thought was once Karlaftis could get his weight up to the 250-range, he could be good Big Ten LEO or weakside DE. He is listed at 6-3, 235 on the roster. Not saying Yanni is T.J. Watt, but that is the spot Watt played at a similar weight at Wisconsin.
Purdue does have needs at LB. There isn’t a lot of speed and athletic ability at the spot. Yanni could help, though he isn’t a top-end athlete with speed. Still, he would upgrade the spot. Yanni will be a WILL, which is where O.C. Brothers starts. Semisi Fakasiieiki and Clyde Washington also play the spot. Hard to see Yanni playing LB in 2022 as he transitions. Lots to learn.
• The situation in the secondary is worrisome.
Soon will find out the extent of the injuries to CBs Cory Trice and Jamari Brown. Also will check on status of DB Chris Jefferson.
Things got so bad on Saturday at Wisconsin that Purdue was using redshirt junior walk-on Camdyn Childers at CB. He is listed as a WR on the roster, but I believe he transitioned to the secondary a while ago. Childers looked a bit overwhelmed, which is understandable. Purdue also used redshirt freshman Jah’von Grigsby at CB on Saturday. He’s listed as a safety on the roster, but I know he has been trained at CB, too.
Redshirt freshman CB Brandon Calloway must be hurt, as he would have a logical choice to enter the game. I didn’t even see him Saturday.
• Purdue has no good alternatives to Cam Allen at deep safety. We all see the same thing.
• This offense could use WR Broc Thompson, obviously. No, he isn’t a blazer. But Thompson knows how to get open and is a savvy, proven vet who would take pressure off Charlie Jones, who is often forced passes, it seems. Perhaps we will see Thompson vs. Iowa. Thompson knee is coming along, no swelling. The hope is he can practice next week after this off week.
• Tyrone Tracy just hasn’t evolved into a weapon for Purdue that I or many people envisioned. He looked good in the spring and in camp. The staff says he practices well, is a good kid. Tracy just is not a receiver … he’s a running back. But with Devin Mockobee emerging, Tracy’s chance for carries is almost nil. Tracy has only six carries for 47 yards. He can catch passes out of the backfield but is not a downfield threat. He has 24 grabs for 188 yards. Tracy played only 15 snaps on Saturday … fewer than Andrew Sowinski (21).
• I was as shocked as anyone with AOC’s struggles on Saturday, especially with how he had played vs. Nebraska. I know Wisco is more talented, which is part of it. Good scheme/coaching, too. I guess I thought we were beyond AOC looking like that. But, it happens ...
• Still amazed at the d-line depth: 12 played last week. Only one played over 30 snaps (Branson Deen 38).
• Is LEO Kydran Jenkins OK? He was helped off the field in the first half and never returned. I saw him warming up with the team at halftime. Looked ready. But, he obviously was kept out as a precaution. I am told he's one of thoughest players on the team. My guess: KJ wanted to get back in but was held out. The hope is he'll be ready for Iowa. We shall see.
The thought was once Karlaftis could get his weight up to the 250-range, he could be good Big Ten LEO or weakside DE. He is listed at 6-3, 235 on the roster. Not saying Yanni is T.J. Watt, but that is the spot Watt played at a similar weight at Wisconsin.
Purdue does have needs at LB. There isn’t a lot of speed and athletic ability at the spot. Yanni could help, though he isn’t a top-end athlete with speed. Still, he would upgrade the spot. Yanni will be a WILL, which is where O.C. Brothers starts. Semisi Fakasiieiki and Clyde Washington also play the spot. Hard to see Yanni playing LB in 2022 as he transitions. Lots to learn.
• The situation in the secondary is worrisome.
Soon will find out the extent of the injuries to CBs Cory Trice and Jamari Brown. Also will check on status of DB Chris Jefferson.
Things got so bad on Saturday at Wisconsin that Purdue was using redshirt junior walk-on Camdyn Childers at CB. He is listed as a WR on the roster, but I believe he transitioned to the secondary a while ago. Childers looked a bit overwhelmed, which is understandable. Purdue also used redshirt freshman Jah’von Grigsby at CB on Saturday. He’s listed as a safety on the roster, but I know he has been trained at CB, too.
Redshirt freshman CB Brandon Calloway must be hurt, as he would have a logical choice to enter the game. I didn’t even see him Saturday.
• Purdue has no good alternatives to Cam Allen at deep safety. We all see the same thing.
• This offense could use WR Broc Thompson, obviously. No, he isn’t a blazer. But Thompson knows how to get open and is a savvy, proven vet who would take pressure off Charlie Jones, who is often forced passes, it seems. Perhaps we will see Thompson vs. Iowa. Thompson knee is coming along, no swelling. The hope is he can practice next week after this off week.
• Tyrone Tracy just hasn’t evolved into a weapon for Purdue that I or many people envisioned. He looked good in the spring and in camp. The staff says he practices well, is a good kid. Tracy just is not a receiver … he’s a running back. But with Devin Mockobee emerging, Tracy’s chance for carries is almost nil. Tracy has only six carries for 47 yards. He can catch passes out of the backfield but is not a downfield threat. He has 24 grabs for 188 yards. Tracy played only 15 snaps on Saturday … fewer than Andrew Sowinski (21).
• I was as shocked as anyone with AOC’s struggles on Saturday, especially with how he had played vs. Nebraska. I know Wisco is more talented, which is part of it. Good scheme/coaching, too. I guess I thought we were beyond AOC looking like that. But, it happens ...
• Still amazed at the d-line depth: 12 played last week. Only one played over 30 snaps (Branson Deen 38).
• Is LEO Kydran Jenkins OK? He was helped off the field in the first half and never returned. I saw him warming up with the team at halftime. Looked ready. But, he obviously was kept out as a precaution. I am told he's one of thoughest players on the team. My guess: KJ wanted to get back in but was held out. The hope is he'll be ready for Iowa. We shall see.
