Purdue Boilermakers 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Purdue was on track to do some special things last season on offense, but lost both QBs to season ending injuries. Jeff Brohm did something very right in his first season in West Lafayette, and he made Purdue football relevant and exciting again. By winning 7 games and beating Arizona in the Foster Farms Bowl, he exceeded all expectations, and Purdue should be ready to make the next step in 2018.
Breakdown Offense: Brohm runs the offense with his brother Brian, and the situation that they have is nothing short of enthralling in 2018. Both David Blough and Elijah Sindelar return from injuries, and there is reason to be excited about both of them, as we may very well see another 2 QB rotation based on situational need. Sindelar is the pocket passer with power and arm strength that are rare commodity in the college game. He passed for 2099 yards with 18 TDs and 7 INTs last fall. He needs to improve on the TD:INT ratio this fall, and his accuracy needs a boost, as he completed just 56.8% of his passes. Blough went from being a turnover machine, to finding some accuracy and added smart decision making to his resume, as he passed for 1103 yards and 9 TDs to 4 INTs. He completed 65% of his passes last fall.
Purdue does not really push the run as much as they should in this offense, as the Boilermakers ranked just 82nd in rushing offense at 151.5 yards per game. Markell Jones is the likely starter, but expect DJ Knox, Richie Worship, and Tario Fuller to all see some carries as well. This unit could use to find a breakout star this season.
The receivers were not as good as they could be last fall, and finding some lightning in this group is necessary for Purdue to elevate once again in 2018. Rondale Moore was a Texas commit, but Brohm pulled the speedster away, and he should see some significant action this season. Jackson Anthrop returns as the only returning starter this season. He caught 47 passes as a freshman last season, but averaged under 10 yards per catch. Isaac Zico and Terry Wright are also expected to start, but they combined for a total of 35 receptions last season. Jared Sparks adds some depth, as does Jarrett Burgess and Beneiah Franklin.
Cole Herdman is the returning TE this fall, and caught 20 passes last season. Brycen Hopkins should see several reps as the backup as well. Darius Pittman is the 3rd TE.
The line returns 4 starters this season in Grant Hermanns (LT), Shane Evans (LG), Kirk Barron (C), and Matt McCann (RT). Michael Mendez, a junior, is penciled in as the new starter at RG. There is plenty of experience to go around with this unit.
Breakdown Defense: The Boilers return just 4 starters on defense from a unit that ranked 52nd in total defense last fall, and 24th in scoring defense.
DT Lorenzo Neal is the lone returning starter on the line. He totaled 5.5 TFLs as a sophomore last fall, and is now the leader of the defensive front line. Giovanni Reviera will likely start at DE as a freshman, while Kai Huggins starts as a junior opposite him. Anthony Watts is the other starter inside. None of the new starters as much as recorded a single TFL last season.
Markus Bailey is the lone returning starter at LB. He finished 2nd on the team with 89 tackles last season, and added 11 TFLs, and led the team with 7 sacks. Tobias Larry and Derrick Barnes are the other projected starters joining him.
Both Safety spots are filled with the return of Jacob Thieneman (SS) and Navon Mosley (FS). Mosley totaled 3 PBUs and 65 tackles last fall, and Thieneman totaled 80 tackles and 2 PBUs.
Both CBs need to be replaced, with Dedrick Mackey and Kenneth Major penciled in as starters there as we head to fall camp.
Breakdown Special Teams: Spencer Evans was solid at PK last fall, as he hit 8/11 FG attempts on the year, and will have the job all to himself after sharing it last season.
Joe Schopper is a total utility Punter, as he pins balls inside the 20s, and converted on 4 fake punts last fall. He averaged 40.45 yards per punt on the season.
Knox is back on KR duty, but should get pushed in camp, as he was below average last fall. The Boilermakers should also be seeking a new PR man in camp as well.
Final Analysis: Purdue took a huge step in the right direction by hiring Brohm, and he exceeded all expectations last fall. The defense is a real concern for the Boilers this season, but with an improved receiver corps, and experience at QB and on the line, expect bigger things for Purdue moving forward, as they should be in a position to start to be able to outscore people on a weekly basis until the defense is able to gel. If all things come together this fall, Purdue could push for as high as second in the Big 10 West, although I can see them settling in at 3rd or 4th.
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