The 3-2-1: Talking scrimmage, injuries, No. 2 QB and more

Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s time for the 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.

Three things learned

1 – Ryan Walters happy with scrimmage

The second-year Purdue boss was pleased with the first scrimmage, which took place on Saturday. The big takeaway: No injuries.

“I liked what I saw,” he said. “We kind of accomplished what we wanted to accomplish. Obviously, held out some guys that we already know what we’re going to get from them. Then wanted to give some controlled reps to some guys that we think will be the guys for us that we count on from a production standpoint this fall, and get them out, and then sort of let the rest of the roster show what they can do and prove whether they need to be or not be on the travel roster.

“So, stayed healthy coming out of that, and that was a main key, obviously, dealt with a little bit of banged up guys, and so to be able to give our stalwart guys a chance to have two days of rest I think was beneficial in the long term.”

When will Purdue scrimmage again? It may not.

“I got to adapt and adjust to the roster,” he said. “If we need it, we will. If we don’t, I won’t. I’m not doing things just because that’s the way I’ve seen it done since I’ve been in this profession.

“College football, and the landscape, is completely different. And I think that’s one of the advantages of having a younger staff. We can adapt with the times. And whatever we need, we’re going to do.”

2 – Keep an eye on the field-goal kicking

The others aspects of special teams were solid in 2023. But the field-goal kicking struggled mightily, ranking last in the nation after connecting on just 8-of-17 attempts (47 percent).

And, it sounds like the results in the scrimmage were mixed.

“It’s still early,” said Walters. “We just got a true freshman, and all those guys are competing, and so got good work. There’s probably a kick or two that they would like to have back, but they made them for the most part. Still ways to go.”

Spencer Porath and Ben Freehill are battling. No doubt, if the Boilermakers are gonna reach their goals, they are gonna need to make a few big kicks along the way.

Fingers are crossed. It looks like Porath’s job to lose.

3 – Good health for a few positions

While the injury bug has hit many positions, a few units have been injury-free (or close to it) throughout camp so far.

The backfield has been good to go, with no dings to the running backs and quarterbacks. The inside linebackers have been good to go, too, with only Winston Berglund missing time. The rush ends have been in good shape, save for CJ Madden missing a few days.

Every other position has had at least two players miss practice this month.

Two questions

1 – Any injury concerns?

Purdue has had its share in camp thus far. Ryan Walters revealed on Monday that two key players will miss the opener: WR CJ Smith (hamstring) and CB Nyland Green (foot). The Georgia transfers are expected back for the second game: Notre Dame. Smith’s hamstring injury is scary. Those tend to linger, especially for speedsters like Smith.

The position hurting the most: WR. Smith, Jayden Dixon-Veal and Kam Brown are out. In fact, Brown–a UCLA transfer–has yet to practice.

The o-line also has been hit of late, with Corey Stewart , Joey Tanona , Rod Green (out for year), Jaekwon Bouldin missing of late. Joshua Sales has been banged up at times. And the tight end room has seen the top two options– Max Klare and George Burhenn –out at times, even together.

“If we had a game today, a lot of those guys would be playing,” said Walters. “But we don’t have a game today. So, I want to make sure that they’re fresh and ready to go August 31.”

2 – Why did Kydran Jenkins move from rush end to ILB?

Jenkins ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten in sacks (7.5) and TFLs (15.5) last year working off the edge. So, why move spots?

“I knew this would be the best opportunity for me to get to the next level and when coach told me that he wanted to take me to inside linebacker, I was like, I’m all for it,” said Jenkins. “I know I can play it. I played it in high school. Let’s do it.”

Still, look for Jenkins to line up off the edge often in 2024. In fact, you should see him all over the defense.

“I think the thing with KJ is he is so instinctual as a player,” said rush ends coach Joe Dineen . “He makes the easy play, but he also makes the play that he shouldn’t have made. We’ll go up and watch film after practice, and he’ll be somewhere that he you wouldn’t think he’s going to make the play, and then by the end of it, he’s making a tackle for a two-yard gain. He does things on film that are pretty fun to watch. And he’s kind of like an eraser back there, which I tell my guys: If we can do our job, consistently, that guy’s gonna run sideline to sideline and eliminate mistakes.”

One bold statement: Marcos Davila will be No. 2 QB

Yes, he’s not fleet of foot (he weighs 244!) like competitor Ryan Browne . But Marcos Davila has good arm talent and great upside. Why not hasten his development if he’s the second-most talented signal-caller on the roster? Walters isn’t ready to call the race.

“Still got three weeks before you play that first game,” said Walters. “I think Ryan Browne has made a lot of strides, and I think Marcos is starting to overcome that freshman learning curve a little bit. So, we haven’t named a backup yet, and so when we do, you guys will know.”

Always have to be thinking of tomorrow, too. What will Purdue do at QB in 2025 after Hudson Card leaves? Davila will be in the mix, while Browne presumably will be back, too. Sawyer Anderson will enter the fray.

Would Purdue try to add a portal signal-caller with one year of eligibility to allow Davila and Anderson more time to mature/develop?

The post The 3-2-1: Talking scrimmage, injuries, No. 2 QB and more appeared first on On3 .