Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, August 21, 2017
There is lots of work to do for new Purdue coach Jeff Brohm, who inherits a program that won nine games the last four years. To say the roster is ?talent poor? is a vast understatement. But Brohm is plugging holes as fast as he can.
Here are five things I?ll be watching at Purdue practice on Monday.
1. How does the offensive line look? This unit was in dire straits when Jeff Brohm arrived. He has done his best to fortify the group with grad transfers. Will it work? I am eager to see Rhode Island grad transfer Dave Steinmetz and Northern Illinois grad transfer Shane Evans.
2. Is the secondary OK? This is another area that had fallen into disrepair under the former regime. The staff has added as much talent as it can in hopes of patching holes. Wake Forest grad transfer Josh Okonye needs to impact, along with JC safety T.J. Jallow. How do they look?
3. How does the d-line look? I like the potential of tackles Gelen Robinson and Eddy Wilson. But how are the ends? Pass rushers are needed. Austin Larkin is a key guy. And I wanna see freaky Rob Simmons.
4. Are the receivers OK? This unit is the ultimate work-in-progress. Who will catch passes? Senior Gregory Phillips needs to be a leader. Notre Dame grad transfer Corey Holmes is one to watch, along with JCs Isaac Zico and Terry Wright. Redshirt freshman Jackson Anthrop is productive. True freshman Keyron Catlett is turning heads. Who will be the primary pass-catchers? I also wanna seen the TE tandem of Cole Herdman and Brycen Hopkins. It could be very good.
5. How is QB David Blough? He sustained a shoulder injury last week. The Boilers need their veteran QB to be healthy to give this offense some much-needed leadership and skill from the most vital position. Could Elijah Sindelar be the man? The offense hasn't looked the best so far in camp. Progress is needed.