In-state defensive lineman a top Purdue priority
Coming off a recruiting cycle in which it signed the state's top two prospects, Purdue will look to take just as big a bite out of the state's 2020 class.
One clear target: Deontae Craig.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound defensive lineman from Culver Academy visited Purdue in December for its bulk junior-visit event.
"They want me to come help continue their rebuild," Craig said. "Coach Brohm is doing a great job already and doing a good job keeping some top in-state recruits home. That's been their message — they want me to come in and make an impact right away."
It was his second visit in a matter of weeks after he previously visited for the Boilermakers' win over Iowa.
"The crowd had a lot of great energy, and they beat a really good Iowa team," Craig said. "I was definitely really impressed, and I got to see Rondale play in person, which was pretty cool, too."
Purdue's made its interest in Craig pretty clear. Craig said that assistant coach Kevin Wolthausen has been through his school at least four times and that he's been speaking with Jeff Brohm on a regular basis for months.
"Purdue's definitely one of my favorites," he said. "I definitely like what they have going on down there. It's felt like there's been a coach up to see me like every other day."
It's been drawn to Craig largely due to his athleticism, thanks in part to basketball, where he plays for Culver alongside Purdue basketball target Trey Galloway.
"I feel like I have good footwork," Craig said. "I feel like basketball helps me a lot, whether it's getting off a block or chasing somebody down. I feel like I have better footwork than a lot of other defensive linemen and I feel like I do a pretty good job using my hands, and that's one thing that sets me apart."
Purdue, Indiana, Tennessee, Michigan State, Cincinnati and Northwestern are among those who've already offered, while Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame have been among those picking up interest.
Craig has also drawn some smaller-school basketball recruiting interest, and says he does still have to decide which sport to concentrate on moving forward.
"I really don't think about it too much yet," he said. "I just try to enjoy both of them as much as I can and improve at both of them as much as I can while I can."
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