It is Saturday morning and for the first time and a long time I have the house to myself. My kids are at the inlaws and my wife is at training. So I thought I would break down what I think about the current recruiting class and targets (I also put them in order of how I like them and think they will impact the team). Primarily, who I think will make an early impact. I didn't mention them all and the recruits that haven't committed yet are listed after the current commits. Feel free to comment on recruits that you like that I left out or how you would change the order. Enjoy!
(I would also like to point out that I feel the '18 class will have the most impact players out of any Purdue class over the last 6-8 years. Football is exciting again and I love it!)
1) Jimmy McKenna - OT 6'5 260. Regarded as one of the better if not the best linemen coming out of Ohio. He already has great size and should play early. This was one of the most exciting pickups because for Purdue to turn the corner, they need to win the battles up front. I love this pickup and I think he will be a star! He should be a starter by year 2.
2) Connor Parks - WDE - 6'5 230. He is the size to ply OLB or WDE depending on the scheme. An edge rusher with great speed and excellent tackling ability in the open field. He grabbed 15 sacks last year with some forced fumbles, safeties, and even a blocked kick. Purdue is losing a lot on defense and absolutely needs big bodies that can help right away. Probably could see time at linebacker early as the holes open up just because he is so good they will find a way to get him on the field.
3) Jordan Bonner - 6'2 185 - WR. He was having a very good season but he got hurt. I don't know the extent of it, but this kid can play. Great size, great hands, great route running, and decent speed. There is a lot to love about this pickup. Put Rondale Moore on the other side? Going to have a lot of points between the two of them.
4) Destin Coates - 5'10 190 - RB. This kid plays for one of the highest powered offenses in the country. His highlights are massive and his numbers are videogame like. The skill position on that team is incredible. I love everything I have seen on this kid. He will come in right away and have a chance. I don't expect him to redshirt, but stranger things have happened.
5) Evander Craft - 6'3 215 OLB JUCO. Arguably the most talented kid in the incoming class. There is a huge need at linebacker next year and he is expected to come in and start. He will likely have the biggest impact of all of the current recruits next year. I would have him much higher on the list, but he is a JUCO. He will have the most immediate impact, but I slid in some 4 year players ahead of him.
6) Jack Plummer - 6'5 212 - QB. I expect him to redshirt and wait in line. Can he beat out Sipe? I am not sure, but is listed as the 25th best QB in his class. Lots of size.
7) Branson Dean - DT - 6'3 260. Dean will likely redshirt. Rated #76 DT and 13th out of Indiana. He is a very good pickup because it's important to start landing the top kids out of Indiana. Decent measurables that will only get better.
8) Charles Allen - 6'4 300 - listed as a guard but can also play DT. You can't teach size and this kid has it. He won't wow with the numbers, but he has the potential to be a key cog for the offensive of defensive line.
9) Lawrence Johnson - 6'4 285 - another hogmolly for the defensive line. He has the added benefit of being an Indiana kid. He will make an impact, but it may be a few years down the line. He has the size to play early though.
10) Jaylan Alexander -6'00 239 - ILB. He has the benefit of also playing WR, so he had decent hands and speed for ILB. Recorded 73 tackles, 8 tfl, 5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 recovered fumbles. I am not sure he will play ILB, he may end up as a safety, but he will play.
11) Elijah Bell - 6'01 200 - CB/Safety. He plays for Ben Davis. That alone makes it worth taking a chance on him. Great speed and ability to make the big hit.
12) Jack Cravaak - 6'5 224 - TE. Big body that can block or catch. Under the radar as far as talent goes, but look at how much success Purdue has been having with their TEs. He should be able to contribute, but will likely redshirt.
13) Cory Trice - 6'2 163 - safety. The lowest rated recruit currently. I confess that I was disappointed at the offer until I saw the video. The kid looks like a font on the field. Excellent size and athleticism. This kid has boom or bust potential and I am betting on the boom!
Key Targets (would love to land at least two of this group)
1) (Obviously) Rondale Moore - 5'8 (and a half) 174. If you hadn't heard of him, his size would be concerning. Well, he also has the fastest 40 of all the incoming freshman. He is also the number one recruit out of Kentucky. He plays for trinity (CJBs dad coaches there and CJB played there). This kid is special. He would be a star immediately at Purdue and would be the most hyped recruit since Orton? Texas currently has him committed but they are filling up on top 100 WRs and that may work out for Purdue. I know Ohio State wants him, but I think (and so does 247) that if he decommits he winds up at Purdue.
2) Jarius Brents - listed at 5'10 178, but I think he is more like 6'00 185 ish). He is the only player that would have a chance at overshadowing Moore. He also has elite speed and is one of the best cornerbacks in the country. Offers from everybody and we made his top 10. An absolute difference maker. I don't think we have the pull to land him... but we made the top 10 of one of the best CBs in the '18 class. That is a tremendous sign.
3) Arak McDuffie - 6'5 241 - DE. He was overshadowed by Stephen Herron, but he has already had a four sack game this year. He went from unranked to top 700 and will likely continue to climb. Purdue is on him, but so is Louisville (his "dream" school. This would be a heck of a get. This kid has monster speed and athleticism. He is one of the few dominant defensive ends in the class and would immediately bolster the pass rush. Also from trinity so Purdue has a decent shot.
4) (Committed to Minnesota and is no longer available) Alex Reigelsperger - 6'5 250 although he is listed as 6'3 - DE. He was committed to Kentucky until he visited Purdue for the Minnesota game and promptly decomitted. He is visiting Minnesota today. This kid has great video. Excellent size and athleticism as a pass rusher. He gets off the line quick and seals the ends effectively. He is a top 500 kid (449 composite). Purdue needs pass rush and this kid can do it. He will put up impressive numbers st the next level and he has terrific drive. I really hope we land him, but currently Minnesota is considered the favorite. Lucky for Purdue, we beat them during his visit and his decommitment came on our visit. I imagine Purdue has a decent shot here. If he were to join the class he would be the highest rated player in the class.
5) Jeremy Banks - 6'2 215 - RB. There isn't much out there I would rather have over Coates, but this kid is really coming on strong. Out of Tennessee and he is drawing a lot of attention from some big school. He would be a very good tandem for Coates. An excellent 1-2 punch.
I also think Purdue looks to add 1-3 graduate transfers. Purdue will have needs at linebacker, defensive back, and could still use help on the offensive and defensive line.
(I would also like to point out that I feel the '18 class will have the most impact players out of any Purdue class over the last 6-8 years. Football is exciting again and I love it!)
1) Jimmy McKenna - OT 6'5 260. Regarded as one of the better if not the best linemen coming out of Ohio. He already has great size and should play early. This was one of the most exciting pickups because for Purdue to turn the corner, they need to win the battles up front. I love this pickup and I think he will be a star! He should be a starter by year 2.
2) Connor Parks - WDE - 6'5 230. He is the size to ply OLB or WDE depending on the scheme. An edge rusher with great speed and excellent tackling ability in the open field. He grabbed 15 sacks last year with some forced fumbles, safeties, and even a blocked kick. Purdue is losing a lot on defense and absolutely needs big bodies that can help right away. Probably could see time at linebacker early as the holes open up just because he is so good they will find a way to get him on the field.
3) Jordan Bonner - 6'2 185 - WR. He was having a very good season but he got hurt. I don't know the extent of it, but this kid can play. Great size, great hands, great route running, and decent speed. There is a lot to love about this pickup. Put Rondale Moore on the other side? Going to have a lot of points between the two of them.
4) Destin Coates - 5'10 190 - RB. This kid plays for one of the highest powered offenses in the country. His highlights are massive and his numbers are videogame like. The skill position on that team is incredible. I love everything I have seen on this kid. He will come in right away and have a chance. I don't expect him to redshirt, but stranger things have happened.
5) Evander Craft - 6'3 215 OLB JUCO. Arguably the most talented kid in the incoming class. There is a huge need at linebacker next year and he is expected to come in and start. He will likely have the biggest impact of all of the current recruits next year. I would have him much higher on the list, but he is a JUCO. He will have the most immediate impact, but I slid in some 4 year players ahead of him.
6) Jack Plummer - 6'5 212 - QB. I expect him to redshirt and wait in line. Can he beat out Sipe? I am not sure, but is listed as the 25th best QB in his class. Lots of size.
7) Branson Dean - DT - 6'3 260. Dean will likely redshirt. Rated #76 DT and 13th out of Indiana. He is a very good pickup because it's important to start landing the top kids out of Indiana. Decent measurables that will only get better.
8) Charles Allen - 6'4 300 - listed as a guard but can also play DT. You can't teach size and this kid has it. He won't wow with the numbers, but he has the potential to be a key cog for the offensive of defensive line.
9) Lawrence Johnson - 6'4 285 - another hogmolly for the defensive line. He has the added benefit of being an Indiana kid. He will make an impact, but it may be a few years down the line. He has the size to play early though.
10) Jaylan Alexander -6'00 239 - ILB. He has the benefit of also playing WR, so he had decent hands and speed for ILB. Recorded 73 tackles, 8 tfl, 5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 recovered fumbles. I am not sure he will play ILB, he may end up as a safety, but he will play.
11) Elijah Bell - 6'01 200 - CB/Safety. He plays for Ben Davis. That alone makes it worth taking a chance on him. Great speed and ability to make the big hit.
12) Jack Cravaak - 6'5 224 - TE. Big body that can block or catch. Under the radar as far as talent goes, but look at how much success Purdue has been having with their TEs. He should be able to contribute, but will likely redshirt.
13) Cory Trice - 6'2 163 - safety. The lowest rated recruit currently. I confess that I was disappointed at the offer until I saw the video. The kid looks like a font on the field. Excellent size and athleticism. This kid has boom or bust potential and I am betting on the boom!
Key Targets (would love to land at least two of this group)
1) (Obviously) Rondale Moore - 5'8 (and a half) 174. If you hadn't heard of him, his size would be concerning. Well, he also has the fastest 40 of all the incoming freshman. He is also the number one recruit out of Kentucky. He plays for trinity (CJBs dad coaches there and CJB played there). This kid is special. He would be a star immediately at Purdue and would be the most hyped recruit since Orton? Texas currently has him committed but they are filling up on top 100 WRs and that may work out for Purdue. I know Ohio State wants him, but I think (and so does 247) that if he decommits he winds up at Purdue.
2) Jarius Brents - listed at 5'10 178, but I think he is more like 6'00 185 ish). He is the only player that would have a chance at overshadowing Moore. He also has elite speed and is one of the best cornerbacks in the country. Offers from everybody and we made his top 10. An absolute difference maker. I don't think we have the pull to land him... but we made the top 10 of one of the best CBs in the '18 class. That is a tremendous sign.
3) Arak McDuffie - 6'5 241 - DE. He was overshadowed by Stephen Herron, but he has already had a four sack game this year. He went from unranked to top 700 and will likely continue to climb. Purdue is on him, but so is Louisville (his "dream" school. This would be a heck of a get. This kid has monster speed and athleticism. He is one of the few dominant defensive ends in the class and would immediately bolster the pass rush. Also from trinity so Purdue has a decent shot.
4) (Committed to Minnesota and is no longer available) Alex Reigelsperger - 6'5 250 although he is listed as 6'3 - DE. He was committed to Kentucky until he visited Purdue for the Minnesota game and promptly decomitted. He is visiting Minnesota today. This kid has great video. Excellent size and athleticism as a pass rusher. He gets off the line quick and seals the ends effectively. He is a top 500 kid (449 composite). Purdue needs pass rush and this kid can do it. He will put up impressive numbers st the next level and he has terrific drive. I really hope we land him, but currently Minnesota is considered the favorite. Lucky for Purdue, we beat them during his visit and his decommitment came on our visit. I imagine Purdue has a decent shot here. If he were to join the class he would be the highest rated player in the class.
5) Jeremy Banks - 6'2 215 - RB. There isn't much out there I would rather have over Coates, but this kid is really coming on strong. Out of Tennessee and he is drawing a lot of attention from some big school. He would be a very good tandem for Coates. An excellent 1-2 punch.
I also think Purdue looks to add 1-3 graduate transfers. Purdue will have needs at linebacker, defensive back, and could still use help on the offensive and defensive line.
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