Some observations from inside the Mollenkopf Center after Spring Practice No. 8.
1. Many of the usual players were out: LB Cornel Jones (foot), QB Nick Sipe (back), DT Anthony Watts (foot), LB Jaylan Alexander (ankle) and C Viktor Beach (back). LB Markus Bailey (hip), S Brennan Thieneman (leg), DT Lo Neal (knee) and RB Richie Worship (knee) are out all spring. Jeff Brohm said Watts will undergo surgery on a foot. Brohm didn't seem worried. Speaking of Brennan Thieneman, brother Jacob was on hand watching practice.
2. There were some new players out: CB Jordan Rucker and DE Willie Lane. Lane will have surgery on a toe; Rucker has a shoulder issue. Also, DT Jack Sullivan remained out today; Brohm says he is battling mono. RB Tario Fuller was absent. Brohm said Fuller returned home to Georgia after the death of a friend. OT Matt McCann left practice early with what looked like a hand injury. He showered and left before practice was over.
3. Big George Karlaftis also sat out today's practice. The DE lifted weights and later watched the goings-on. Karlaftis took a shot to the upperbody on Wednesday, sustaining a hit from RB Alfred Armour. Karlaftis is being held out as a precaution. He looks great. Karlaftis arrived on campus weighing 275 pounds but is now 265. Two of this West Lafayette High School coaches were on hand to watch practice, and they marveled at how he has changed his body so quickly.
4. Attention "Breaking Bad" fans: I spoke with giant OT Grant Hermanns after practice. I knew he was from Albuquerque, N.M., so I asked if he was a fan of "Breaking Bad," as the show is set in Hermanns' home town. Hermanns told me his high school (Rio Rancho) was the one used in the series as the school where Walter White taught chemistry.
Walter White, Introduction to Chemistry.
5. Some big-time recruits watched practice today. G Gus Hartwig of Zionsville, Ind., was on hand with his father. The 6-5, 290-pound Hartwig is the No. 4 player in Indiana, according to rivals. LB Bangally Kamara of Akron (East), Ohio, watched. The 6-2, 195-pound Kamara is the No. 34 player in Ohio, per rivals. DE A.J. Beatty, 6-5, 235, looked imposing. He is from Pittsburgh (Central Catholic) and rated the No. 7 player in Pennsylvania. The father (a Purdue grad) of CB Max Lenzy from Tigard High in suburban Portland, Ore., was on hand. The 5-10, 170-pound Lenzy is the No. 4 player in Oregon. Max's brother, Braden, is a WR at Notre Dame. RB Marion Lukes of Charlestown, Ind., also was on hand. He is a 5-10, 180-pound speedster.
A.J. Beatty
6. RB Evan Anderson was expected back today, but was absent again. He has been at his Georgia home after a family member passed away. Jeff Brohm thought he was being picked up at the airport on Friday afternoon.
7. We have another contender for "big hit of the spring." This time, freshman S Jalen Graham did the honors, laying into WR Jackson Anthrop. The players went nuts after the colossal clash. It was impressive.
8. For the first time this spring, "Leo" Derrick Barnes took part in an entire practice in full pads. Have to say: He looks good.
9. The cornerbacks were wearing a patch over an eye during an individual drill, while also wearing mittens. It's all an effort to sharpen the vision and hands of the corners. It's the first time this spring the corners wore eye patches.
10. Bad snaps continue to be an issue this spring. No doubt, the center spot is worrisome. Watch my video on the homepage of offensive line coach Dale Williams to hear his comments on the center spot--and o-line in general. Speaking of Williams, he had many staff members of Bryan (Ohio) High on hand to watch practice.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading!!
P.S.: In case you were wondering: Jeff Brohm won't be at the Purdue-Villanova game on Saturday night.
1. Many of the usual players were out: LB Cornel Jones (foot), QB Nick Sipe (back), DT Anthony Watts (foot), LB Jaylan Alexander (ankle) and C Viktor Beach (back). LB Markus Bailey (hip), S Brennan Thieneman (leg), DT Lo Neal (knee) and RB Richie Worship (knee) are out all spring. Jeff Brohm said Watts will undergo surgery on a foot. Brohm didn't seem worried. Speaking of Brennan Thieneman, brother Jacob was on hand watching practice.
2. There were some new players out: CB Jordan Rucker and DE Willie Lane. Lane will have surgery on a toe; Rucker has a shoulder issue. Also, DT Jack Sullivan remained out today; Brohm says he is battling mono. RB Tario Fuller was absent. Brohm said Fuller returned home to Georgia after the death of a friend. OT Matt McCann left practice early with what looked like a hand injury. He showered and left before practice was over.
3. Big George Karlaftis also sat out today's practice. The DE lifted weights and later watched the goings-on. Karlaftis took a shot to the upperbody on Wednesday, sustaining a hit from RB Alfred Armour. Karlaftis is being held out as a precaution. He looks great. Karlaftis arrived on campus weighing 275 pounds but is now 265. Two of this West Lafayette High School coaches were on hand to watch practice, and they marveled at how he has changed his body so quickly.
4. Attention "Breaking Bad" fans: I spoke with giant OT Grant Hermanns after practice. I knew he was from Albuquerque, N.M., so I asked if he was a fan of "Breaking Bad," as the show is set in Hermanns' home town. Hermanns told me his high school (Rio Rancho) was the one used in the series as the school where Walter White taught chemistry.
Walter White, Introduction to Chemistry.
5. Some big-time recruits watched practice today. G Gus Hartwig of Zionsville, Ind., was on hand with his father. The 6-5, 290-pound Hartwig is the No. 4 player in Indiana, according to rivals. LB Bangally Kamara of Akron (East), Ohio, watched. The 6-2, 195-pound Kamara is the No. 34 player in Ohio, per rivals. DE A.J. Beatty, 6-5, 235, looked imposing. He is from Pittsburgh (Central Catholic) and rated the No. 7 player in Pennsylvania. The father (a Purdue grad) of CB Max Lenzy from Tigard High in suburban Portland, Ore., was on hand. The 5-10, 170-pound Lenzy is the No. 4 player in Oregon. Max's brother, Braden, is a WR at Notre Dame. RB Marion Lukes of Charlestown, Ind., also was on hand. He is a 5-10, 180-pound speedster.
A.J. Beatty
6. RB Evan Anderson was expected back today, but was absent again. He has been at his Georgia home after a family member passed away. Jeff Brohm thought he was being picked up at the airport on Friday afternoon.
7. We have another contender for "big hit of the spring." This time, freshman S Jalen Graham did the honors, laying into WR Jackson Anthrop. The players went nuts after the colossal clash. It was impressive.
8. For the first time this spring, "Leo" Derrick Barnes took part in an entire practice in full pads. Have to say: He looks good.
9. The cornerbacks were wearing a patch over an eye during an individual drill, while also wearing mittens. It's all an effort to sharpen the vision and hands of the corners. It's the first time this spring the corners wore eye patches.
10. Bad snaps continue to be an issue this spring. No doubt, the center spot is worrisome. Watch my video on the homepage of offensive line coach Dale Williams to hear his comments on the center spot--and o-line in general. Speaking of Williams, he had many staff members of Bryan (Ohio) High on hand to watch practice.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading!!
P.S.: In case you were wondering: Jeff Brohm won't be at the Purdue-Villanova game on Saturday night.
