WEST LAFAYETTE – As Purdue is ready to start preseason practices Tuesday, listed here are a number of the key storylines concerning the Boilermakers as they embark on the 2022 season.
Defensive line depth
While there isn’t any George Karlaftis, there are many our bodies and possibly sufficient to go three deep at every place. No one participant will substitute the first-round draft decide of the Kansas City Chiefs, however a gaggle effort may present related manufacturing from the top place. Branson Deen and Lawrence Johnson will anchor the deal with spots and backups Damarjhe Lewis, and Prince Body noticed sufficient motion final season to present help. Jack Sullivan is customized to fill Karlaftis’ spot and the LEO place (hybrid DE/LB) will seemingly see a mix of Kydran Jenkins, Murray State switch Scott Humpich and Yanni Karlaftis when he is wholesome. Khordae Sydnor (finish) and freshman Mo Omonode (deal with) will likely be a part of the rotation.
“We do have depth. That’s the great factor. The dangerous factor – do we have now a George or DaMarcus Mitchell? I do not learn about that,” coach Jeff Brohm mentioned. “The 4 on the sector want to be actually good gamers and produce.”
Return recreation enhance
The addition of Iowa switch Charlie Jones makes the return recreation higher. Right? Jones, who can be a receiver, was the Big Ten’s Returner of the Year final season and his presence ought to enable the Boilermakers to lastly acquire some traction on particular groups. Purdue has been Fair Catch U beneath Brohm, and it is onerous to criticize the technique as a result of it is labored by avoiding turnovers and sustaining discipline place. But the Boilermakers want a spark on this space and if Jones delivers, it could possibly be the distinction between a very good season and a particular one.
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“We assume we’re bringing in a man that is confirmed himself at that place,” Brohm mentioned. “We need to try to assist him excel within the return recreation and work out methods to make the most of that expertise and be dynamic there.
“He undoubtedly needed to come and showcase extra receiving abilities and from what we have seen at this level, I believe he can do this and make performs for us on the within and outdoors.”
Time for tight ends
Purdue has two of the very best ones within the Big Ten with Payne Durham and Garrett Miller and the event of Paul Piferi supplies another choice. With Durham and Miller, the Boilermakers have expertise, play-making skills and loads of toughness. The duo, although, has been underutilized however for 2 good causes – David Bell and Rondale Moore. With no reputable NFL-caliber No. 1 receiver on the roster – one may emerge – this must be the 12 months the tight ends are highlighted extra. Brohm’s passing offense is confirmed at stretching the sector however constantly utilizing these beneath routes with the tight ends may create one other layer of concern for defensive coordinators.
Jalen Graham
The greatest participant on the protection has extra to showcase. The outdoors linebacker, who additionally performs security, nickel and will in all probability line up off the sting, brought on havoc final season and was a disruptive drive many of the season. His pick-six towards Nebraska is one pattern of his play-making abilities and he is at all times swarming to the ball. He can play towards power-run groups and likewise unfold offenses. Look for an additional massive season.
No QB drama
Aidan O’Connell is No. 1 on the depth chart. It’s the primary time since 2019 that Brohm has recognized the starter earlier than preseason practices. It’s one much less query to ask.
Who’s No. 2?
Speaking of quarterbacks, who does Brohm flip to if O’Connell is not accessible? Austin Burton is the logical selection since he has probably the most expertise and brings a working aspect, however Michael Alaimo and Brady Allen are making strides. Would Brohm use a number of quarterbacks related to what he did within the win at Iowa final season?
State of working recreation
It’s an annual query, no less than the final three seasons for the reason that Boilermakers have completed final in dashing yardage amongst Big Ten groups. But to be honest, the bottom recreation did present enhancements briefly yardage conditions and that is the place Purdue must be judged. King Doerue and Dylan Downing are joined by Kobe Lewis, a Central Michigan switch who did not play final season due to a knee harm however has promise. Don’t overlook about Iowa switch Tyrone Tracy, whose important place is receiver however will likely be an element within the run recreation.
“I assumed the final half of the season we bought higher within the run recreation and bought extra productive,” mentioned Brohm. “The objective just isn’t essentially to be a juggernaut at that however to be environment friendly after we want to. It will at all times be a piece in progress.”
And the No. 1 receiver is …
Plenty of choices proper now. It would not be a dialogue if Milton Wright wasn’t academically ineligible, however his absence has left a void. However, the Boilermakers proved they did not want Wright within the bowl recreation however a few of these performances want to carry over into the 2022 season. Broc Thompson had a monster bowl recreation however is recovering from rods being inserted in his shins. Tracy and Jones carry athletic capacity and a need to grow to be important targets within the passing recreation. Auburn switch Elijah Canion did not play within the spring however will get a possibility. Two to watch – Mershawn Rice and Abdur-Rahmeen Yaseen. Both have battled accidents however may play massive roles if wholesome.
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Impact of transfers
Purdue introduced in 11 and all are anticipated to problem for beginning spots or see enjoying time. The transfers performed a key position within the Boilermakers reaching 9 victories final season. A brand new group will likely be counted on once more.
“All the transfers we have taken must be enjoying for us,” Brohm mentioned.
Is Jack Ansell the No. 1 punter?
Yes, however competitors continues to loom. Ansell had an up-and-down freshman season, which wasn’t stunning for the reason that Australian native adjusted to life in a distinct nation and the expertise of enjoying Big Ten soccer.
“We want extra manufacturing from our punt crew,” Brohm mentioned. “He’s proven actually good promise; he has an enormous leg and consistency is the hurdle he has to overcome. We anticipate if Jack performs, he’ll be the starter however there’s going to be competitors and we’re not going to be scared to use a number of guys.”
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports activities for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and observe on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc