Purdue coach Jeff Brohm didn’t hesitate when asked the question: Are looking to add talent via the grad transfer market?
“Yes we are,” said Brohm at a recent John Purdue Club event in DeMotte, Ind.
When asked if he’d be in the market for a grad transfer quarterback, Brohm responded:
“O-line is the No. 1 position we would look for. But any position we are open to.”
Is scholarship availability an issue?
“We have wiggle room,” said Brohm, who added five grad transfers his first year, one in 2018 and one so far for 2019. “Let’s put it that way.”
There has been speculation that Michigan grad transfer signal-caller Brandon Peters could be a target for Purdue after he entered the transfer portal in recent weeks. The 6-5, 230-pound Peters grew up in the Indianapolis suburbs and was recruited by Purdue coming out of Avon High School. Peters is a classic pro-style quarterback who seemingly would fit Brohm's offensive scheme. Want more? Sister Brooke played volleyball at Purdue. So, it’s easy to connect the dots between Purdue and Peters, a four-star recruit who arrived in Ann Arbor in 2016 and has two years of eligibility.
But it’s debatable if Purdue would have interest in Peters, the 2015 Indiana Mr. Football who got buried on the Michigan depth chart after making four career starts and playing in 11 games.
The Boilermakers already have a full depth chart at quarterback, with fifth-year senior Elijah Sindelar the unquestioned No. 1 option in 2019. Behind him is touted redshirt freshman Jack Plummer, a player Brohm often raves about who looks like the future at the position.
There also are sophomores Nick Sipe and Aidan O’Connell. Sipe missed most of the spring with a back issue. O'Connell is a walk-on whom Brohm likes and would feel comfortable playing. And don't forget about true freshman Paul Piferi, who took part in spring drills.
On top of all that, Sindelar could be back in 2020 after he was granted a sixth season of eligibility this spring. And Purdue is still actively recruiting a quarterback for the 2020 recruiting class.
Bottom line: There is no easy path to the No. 1 QB job in West Lafayette for a grad transfer, players who typically want to play ... right now.
As Brohm mentioned earlier, Purdue’s offensive line is a bigger priority. Brohm has turned to the grad transfer market three times to add o-line help while in West Lafayette--more than any other position. And he could do it again.
The 2019 offensive line is a work-in-progress and one of the top worries on the team. The tackle spots look solid, with junior Grant Hermanns on the left side and senior Matt McCann on the right side. But the interior? It’s a concern.
Sophomore Viktor Beach is supposed to be the heir to Kirk Barron at center, but Beach missed most of the spring recovering from a back injury suffered over the winter while lifting weights. Beach made it back before the end of spring ball, but he still has a lot to prove. Behind him is sophomore Sam Garvin, a walk-on.
The guard slots also are being reworked with Shane Evans and Dennis Edwards gone. Perhaps McCann would be a better fit at guard, where he has played before. But for now, he remains on the edge at tackle. The Boilermakers closed spring ball with redshirt freshman Jimmy McKenna at left guard and sophomore Mark Stickford at right guard running with the first team. Senior Alex Criddle (left) and sophomore DJ Washington (right) were on the second team. Criddle was a defensive lineman last season.
Further exasperating things up front: depth is young. The roster has just two senior offensive linemen, and one of those is Criddle.
“I think it’s important we evaluate our offensive line,” said Brohm in the spring. “Grant Hermanns and Matt McCann have experience, we feel we have a solid group right there. The other three (on the interior), we have to figure out who they are gonna be.”
Stay tuned.
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