MORE: Spring Football Central

With spring football in the books, it's time to turn the page and focus on the upcoming season.

Many key players missed spring ball due to injury. By the time training camp opens, they all should be back on offense. Knowing that, here is our best guess as to how the offense could look coming out of spring drills.

• LINE -- The starting five could be solid. After that? The unit lacks depth, which is an annual concern. ... Returning starters C Gus Hartwig and LG Spencer Holstege are anchors inside. ... T Eric Miller, a third returning starter who missed spring recovering from shoulder surgery, should flip from right to left tackle. ... The right side of the line needs to develop. Cam Craig is the fourth-most veteran lineman, able to play guard or tackle. But back issues can keep him out of the lineup. ... The staff likes Marcus Mbow, who can play guard or tackle, and Mahmane Moussa, a tackle. One or both could start ... It was hoped Florida International transfer Sione Finau would win the right guard spot, but he missed almost all of spring ball with a back issue ... Purdue will welcome Kent State transfer Daniel Johnson this summer. At the least, he'll provide solid depth at tackle. ... Another transfer could be added.

• RECEIVERS -- Will Milton Wright be academically eligible? He missed the spring focusing on the books. Fingers are crossed ... If Wright isn't playing this fall, who will be the No. 1 target? It could be Iowa transfer Tyrone Tracy, who flashed playmaking ability this spring. Tracy also was used as a ballcarrier. He could be the most dynamic weapon on the offense ... Broc Thompson may be poised for a breakout after earning MVP honors in the Music City Bowl when Wright was ineligible and David Bell opted out. Thompson missed the spring after having surgery on both knees ... Mershawn Rice (foot) and Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen (knee) are big targets who each missed the spring ... T.J. Sheffield (ankle) also missed the spring. He flashed at times in 2021. ... Keep an eye on Deion Burks, a diminutive speedster in the slot ... Is this the year Collin Sullivan forges a role? ... Preston Terrell drips with promise. Ditto Zion Steptoe. But they may be challenged to get on the field in a crowded receiver house.

• TIGHT ENDS -- You'd be hard-pressed to find a better tandem than Payne Durham and Garrett Miller. Each was used judiciously this spring, given the chance to heal up. ... Durham could be the top tight end in the Big Ten. He lacks speed but catches everything. ... Miller is a more intriguing prospect. He's a better blocker and faster, too ... Paul Piferi has remade himself from a quarterback, becoming a 6-5, 240-pound tight end. He's legit ... Can Drew Biber find a role?

• RUNNING BACKS -- King Doerue is a solid option who led the team in rushing in 2019 and 2021 ... All eyes are on Sampson James. The Indiana transfer had to sit out 2021 but practiced with the team and showed promise in the spring game. Is he a difference-maker? ... Dylan Downing was asked to slim down, and has. He will be ready to go after missing the spring (shoulder). ... Tracy will be deployed in the backfield perhaps 6-8 times a game with the hope he injects dynamic ability. ... Coaches continue to shop the portal for help. Could a starting-caliber back be landed?

• QUARTERBACKS -- For the first time since 2019 when Elijah Sindelar was the unquestioned starter, Purdue has a clear-cut No. 1: Aidan O'Connell. He continues to author a Cinderella story, emerging last year as a cool, accurate passer who helped lead the program to nine wins. How good can he be? ... Austin Burton and Michael Alaimo will battle to be O'Connell's caddy. Purdue may have a package of plays for Burton, using his athletic skills from time to time in certain down-and-distance situations ... Brady Allen is waiting in the wings as the quarterback of the future. One of the most touted signal-callers in recent program history, Allen enrolled early and got his feet wet. He may be special--at least that's the hope.

Membership Info: Sign up for GoldandBlack.com now | Why join? | Questions?

Follow GoldandBlack.com: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

More: Gold and Black Illustrated/Gold and Black Express | Subscribe to our podcast

Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2022. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.