Go ahead. Flip through Purdue’s game day press release previewing this Saturday’s season opener vs. Ball State. You’ll find facts, figures and tidbits like … Devin Mockobee is 1,169 rushing yards from becoming Purdue’s all-time leader, Danny Hope is the last Purdue coach to debut with a win and the Boilermakers’ lead the nation with […]
Go ahead. Flip through Purdue’s game day press release previewing this Saturday’s season opener vs. Ball State.
You’ll find facts, figures and tidbits like … Devin Mockobee is 1,169 rushing yards from becoming Purdue’s all-time leader, Danny Hope is the last Purdue coach to debut with a win and the Boilermakers’ lead the nation with 54 transfers.
But one thing you won’t find: A depth chart.
What in the name of Jack Mollenkopf is going on?
“I don’t have the ones set yet,” said Barry Odom . “I mean, we know who right now is going to play, but if I gave you one, it would not be accurate, and I’m not going to do that.”
Not accurate? That hasn’t stopped some coaches I know from still putting out a depth chart. (Not naming names. Sorry.)
“So, we’ve got a really good idea,” continued Odom when asked on Monday about the absence of a depth chart. “I don’t know if we’re going to start 11 personnel, 14 personnel, 20 personnel, whatever we’re starting in. So, if I could say these are going to be our starters, that wouldn’t be true.”
Is not putting out an initial depth chart a big deal? Not really. But the absence of one kinda makes it a (sorta) big deal.
“I don’t know what personnel grouping we’re going to start on defense, or even who are with the ones right now,” said Odom. “We need a really good week of preparation before we’ve decided exactly what that looks like.
“On Thursday, as a staff, we sit down, we go through a checklist, and we’ll talk about rep count on what we think each guy is going to get. And then on Friday, we’ll have another meeting, and then Saturday morning, we’ll have a staff meeting at the hotel, and at that time, we’re going to know kind of who’s running out there doing the first snap.”
So, we wait for the noon ET kickoff on Saturday.
Yes, the staff may contemplating some personnel decisions. But I still have to think the coaches have a very good idea after over 20 practices and two scrimmages who is first-team and second-team by now.
Odom may not be ready to issue a two-deep for the Ball State game. But, I am. You’re welcome.
GoldandBlack.com projected offense two-deep depth chart
| First-team | Second-team |
| Pos. Name, Class | Name, Class |
| WR Michael Jackson, Sr. | Corey Smith, So. |
| WR Nitro Tuggle, So. | E.J. Horton, Sr. |
| WR Arhmad Branch, So. | Jesse Watson, So. |
| TE Christian Moore, Sr. | Rico Walker, Jr. |
| LT Joey Tanona, Jr. | Jude McCoskey, Jr. |
| LG Jalen “Chop” St. John, Sr. | Hank Purvis, So. |
| C Bradyn Joiner, So. | Giordano Vaccaro, Sr. |
| RG Ethan Trent , So. | Mason Vicari, So. |
| RT Bakyne Coly, Sr. | Marques Easley, RFr. |
| QB Ryan Browne, So. | Malachi Singleton, So. |
| RB Devin Mockobee, Sr. | Antonio Harris, So. |
NOTES: Ryan Browne has been crowned QB1. C’mon. Was there ever really a question? … Get on board the Mock Train as Devin Mockobee looks to author a happy ending to a fairytale career. Looking for a hidden gem? I give you RB Antonio Harris. … The line is a legit two-deep. Good, because Barry “Hard, Smart, Tough” Odom wants to punch defenses in the nose with the run game. Bradyn Joiner looks like the winner of an intense battle to snap. T Joey Tanona plays like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. … Pssssttt: Rico Walker has emerged as a legit option at tight end. Will George Burhenn play Saturday? (I’m shrugging my shoulders). … Let’s see if WR Michael Jackson is all that and a bag of chips. Who is the No. 2 option? Arhmad Branch? Boiler Nation wants it to be Nitro Tuggle. Don’t sleep on Corey Smith. Not having De’Nylon Morrissette isn’t good.
GoldandBlack.com projected defense two-deep depth chart
| First-team | Second-team |
| Pos. Name, Class | Name, Class |
| E CJ Madden, Jr. | CJ Nunnally, Sr. |
| T Chops Harkless, So. | Demeco Kennedy, So. |
| T TJ Lindsey, RFr. | Jamarius Dinkins, Sr. |
| E Trey Smith, So. | Breeon Ishmail, So. |
| LB Mani Powell, Sr. | Alex Sanford, Jr. |
| LB Charles Correa, So. | Sanders Ellis, So. |
| CB Tony Grimes, Sr. | Hudauri Hines, So. |
| CB Ryan Turner, Jr. | Chalil Cummings, RFr. |
| S An’Darius Coffey, Sr. | Stu Smith, Jr. |
| S Tahj Ra-El, Sr. | Richard Toney, Sr. |
| S Myles Slusher, Sr. | Crew Wakley, Sr. |
NOTES: The No. 1 line has been steady from Day One of camp. CJ Madden is torqued and poised to star. Everyone is raving about mammoth Chops Harkless, a monolith on the interior. Watch him eat blocks and collapse the pocket. Depth? It looks solid. … Huge upgrades at linebacker. Mani Powell is the bellwether of the defense, a warrior. Say “Aloha” to native Hawaiian Charles Correra, who seeks and destroys. Sanders Ellis is just scratching the surface. … CB Tony Grimes is an NFL talent in a secondary loaded with AARP veterans. This gang has been there and done that. The safety triumvirate of An’Darius Coffey, Tahj Ra-El and Myles Slusher? Oh, it’s legit.
GoldandBlack.com projected special teams two-deep depth chart
| First-team | Second-team |
| Pos. Name, Class | Name, Class |
| K Spencer Porath, So. | Seth Turner, So. |
| P Jack McCallister, Sr. | Sam Dubwig, RFr. |
| LS Luke Raab, RFr. | Justin Schmidt, Fr. |
NOTES: Now’s the time for K Spencer Porath. Fingers are crossed. In case of emergency, break the glass and insert UConn transfer Seth Turner. He can bang it. … P Jack McCallister was a transfer portal gift. Watch him shine, and boom the ball. … The return game? Stay tuned. A buzz is building around Michael Jackson and Antonio Harris. … Purdue’s secret weapon? James Shibest. The folksy special teams coach is a master craftsman when it comes to blocking kicks, returns and such.
Category: General Sports
