Brohm still waiting on word about two key members of football team
More: Spring primer
The careers of Martesse Patterson and Brandon Roberts may not be over at Purdue.
New Purdue coach Jeff Brohm said he'd be willing to welcome back former starting left tackle Patterson and former starting defensive back Roberts — if he's allowed. But, for now, the decision seems largely out of Brohm's hands.
Patterson hasn't been with the team since he was arrested on a felony battery charge in September. Tippecanoe County court records show that has yet to be settled. Roberts has been suspended since mid-October.
Both players still are listed on the roster, but neither currently is with the program, Brohm said Tuesday.
Brohm said he's met with Patterson.
"I don’t know all the facts. That would be the starting point," Brohm said. "If he got cleared and we looked at it and we felt good about it, we would like him back and we would like Brandon Roberts back, if they were cleared and if we felt that it was a good situation."
Brohm said, as far as he knows, both players are attending school.
From a football perspective, both players would be important to the 2017 roster.
Patterson likely would be the most talented returning player at a pivotal position — left tackle — on a position group that has major questions. Purdue lost three long-time starters, Jason King, Jordan Roos and Cameron Cermin, from that unit last season, and there are no obvious replacements. When Purdue starts spring ball on Feb. 27, other than Kirk Barron at center, it's hard to project just who will be where. Patterson has started only five games in his career, but he'd likely be a contender for a starting spot in the fall despite missing most of the season, the spring and, potentially, summer workouts, if it comes to that.
Roberts' versatility in the secondary is key, especially for a unit that doesn't have much returning experience. None of the options have started for more than one season: Cornerback Da'Wan Hunte and Navon Mosley are back after starting most of 2016, but it was only their first seasons as starters.
Membership Information: Sign up for GoldandBlack.com now | Why join? | Questions?
Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2017. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.