This is the first in a series laying out Purdue's off-season agenda following the conclusion of the 2018 season.

More: David Bell to Purdue | Karlaftis' path to football stardom

Odds ($): Which freshmen will play?

A year ago around this time, Purdue knew it was going to have to get Rondale Moore ready quickly, knowing he'd be an impact player from Day 1.

Now, it might be that same sort of deal, only more of them.

Defensive end George Karlaftis obviously has to earn it, but he's set up to start as a true freshman, and will benefit in that sense from early enrollment. In addition to Karlaftis, there's not an incoming freshman defensive lineman that can be ruled out for early playing time at this point.

David Bell and Milton Wright lead a group of incoming wide receivers that could turn Purdue's depth chart on its side, and tight ends Kyle Bilodeau and Garrett Miller will both have opportunities to earn snaps for a coaching staff that covets the ability to play multiple tight ends.

There's not a position on defense that can't be affected by freshmen — safeties Jalen Graham and Marvin Grant come to mind, but corners Cameron Allen and Nyles Beverly just as much — and this might be the rare year where Purdue has to play a freshman offensive lineman. Brohm mentioned Kyle Jornigan in that context on signing day.

Running backs King Doerue and Da'Joun Hewitt step into a wide-open mix, too.

As much as Purdue's 2018 was affected for the better by a freshman, 2019 may have to be impacted by many of them.

Is it outside the realm of possibility Purdue could see double-digit freshmen not just playing, but playing next season?

It might not be.

Remember, Purdue has vacancies at punter and snapper, too.

Extending the topic to debuting players, the redshirt freshman class will have opportunities beginning this spring, too, particularly at the line of scrimmage, where Will Bramel, Jimmy McKenna and Eric Miller will all get immediate cracks at the two-deep on a wide-open offensive line, and a slew of true sophomore and redshirt freshman defensive linemen get chances to carve niches for themselves.

Karlaftis and Bell are the two headliners of Purdue's recruiting class, being top-100-ranked players nationally who have added name cachet because they're in-state players.

They're also the two freshmen with the best chances, at least on paper, to help the Boilermakers immediately.

Karlaftis projects for Purdue's true defensive end position, vacated by season-long starter Giovanni Reviere, who moved to defensive tackle for the bowl game and will remain there. Senior Kai Higgins returns too at that D-end position, but Purdue seems intent to give Karlaftis every chance starting this spring to push for that role. But even if he's not the starter, the freshman figures to see meaningful snaps from Day 1.

Bell, too, will push to start. Purdue recruited him with that sort of impact in mind.

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