One could argue Purdue's projected starting linebacking corps was the least worrisome piece about its defense entering this spring.
But after that?
Like most of the team, there's little proven depth, and so officially adding Western Kentucky graduate transfer T.J. McCollum to the program on Monday is a big deal. For a couple reasons.
First off should be clear that I haven't seen McCollum play a single snap. But, still, production speaks for itself oftentimes, and his 191 tackles in only two seasons (and not even full seasons) with the Hilltoppers say a lot. Purdue co-DC Nick Holt, who was McCollum's position coach and also the DC at WKU, talks about how he wants to put players in the best spots to make plays and how he'll seize opportunities for players with explosive/playmaking ability. So, clearly, McCollum was a player Holt featured in his defense. The 15.5 TFLs are a nice indicator, too, considering only three of those came on sacks.
So McCollum not only understands what Holt wants to get done on defense, but he's had success doing it in Holt's system. Sure, things could change with Anthony Poindexter's influence on Purdue's defense, but I think most of what Poindexter brings will be a boost to the back-half of the defense. Holt's specialty is the front seven, Jeff Brohm has said, and Holt is going to do all he can to get playmakers to make, well, plays.
What will that look like in the current configuration of Purdue's depth chart, considering McCollum will be available to participate in spring practices?
The new coaches certainly will give blank-slate opportunities to guys, but it's pretty clear that Markus Bailey has legit talent and Ja'Whaun Bentley has ability to be very good. Danny Ezechukwu, at this point, seems to be the odd-man out, largely because he's not quite risen to his potential, whether that be as a run-stopper or, less likely, a coverage guy. Ezechukwu was a defensive end to start his Purdue career and he's seemed to be better standing up at the line as a linebacker and as a situational pass rusher.
I really like Bentley as a "true" middle linebacker, a guy who attacks and is playing downhill and blows up the run game. I really like Bailey as a rangy outside 'backer who can play the middle third in Tampa 2 or chase down guys to the sidelines.
With McCollum, who plays on the outside, it'd seem ideal to allow Ezechukwu to be a situational pass rusher, whether as an outside linebacker — which makes more sense, IMO, considering the lack of overall depth at linebacker — and McCollum to be part of the starting group with Bailey and Bentley.
We'll see how it plays out soon. Spring ball starts Feb. 27.
But after that?
Like most of the team, there's little proven depth, and so officially adding Western Kentucky graduate transfer T.J. McCollum to the program on Monday is a big deal. For a couple reasons.
First off should be clear that I haven't seen McCollum play a single snap. But, still, production speaks for itself oftentimes, and his 191 tackles in only two seasons (and not even full seasons) with the Hilltoppers say a lot. Purdue co-DC Nick Holt, who was McCollum's position coach and also the DC at WKU, talks about how he wants to put players in the best spots to make plays and how he'll seize opportunities for players with explosive/playmaking ability. So, clearly, McCollum was a player Holt featured in his defense. The 15.5 TFLs are a nice indicator, too, considering only three of those came on sacks.
So McCollum not only understands what Holt wants to get done on defense, but he's had success doing it in Holt's system. Sure, things could change with Anthony Poindexter's influence on Purdue's defense, but I think most of what Poindexter brings will be a boost to the back-half of the defense. Holt's specialty is the front seven, Jeff Brohm has said, and Holt is going to do all he can to get playmakers to make, well, plays.
What will that look like in the current configuration of Purdue's depth chart, considering McCollum will be available to participate in spring practices?
The new coaches certainly will give blank-slate opportunities to guys, but it's pretty clear that Markus Bailey has legit talent and Ja'Whaun Bentley has ability to be very good. Danny Ezechukwu, at this point, seems to be the odd-man out, largely because he's not quite risen to his potential, whether that be as a run-stopper or, less likely, a coverage guy. Ezechukwu was a defensive end to start his Purdue career and he's seemed to be better standing up at the line as a linebacker and as a situational pass rusher.
I really like Bentley as a "true" middle linebacker, a guy who attacks and is playing downhill and blows up the run game. I really like Bailey as a rangy outside 'backer who can play the middle third in Tampa 2 or chase down guys to the sidelines.
With McCollum, who plays on the outside, it'd seem ideal to allow Ezechukwu to be a situational pass rusher, whether as an outside linebacker — which makes more sense, IMO, considering the lack of overall depth at linebacker — and McCollum to be part of the starting group with Bailey and Bentley.
We'll see how it plays out soon. Spring ball starts Feb. 27.
