MORE: Co-DC Anthony Poindexter's safeties will call the defense for Purdue
Slowly but surly, Jack Plummer is battling back.
It has been a slow—and often tedious—process rehabbing from a broken right ankle suffered vs. Nebraska in Purdue’s ninth game last season.
“It sucks,” said Plummer of his rehab. “It sucks. Something I wish nobody goes through. It’s tough. You really wanna be out there playing. We love football. Having to sit there, as good as our training room is, you don’t really wanna sit in there. But I spent a lot, a lot of hours in there, doing rehab, icing it, getting strength back, trying to get range of motion back. So, it’s been a process.”
And the process is almost complete. The 6-5, 220-pound sophomore from Gilbert, Ariz., is on the field this spring going through drills. And, he’s looking pretty good as he battles with junior Aidan O’Connell for the starting job.
Still, the Purdue staff is being cautious with Plummer, having him avoid 11-on-11 activity for fear of aggravating the injury in heavy traffic and in potentially dangerous situations.
"I would say he is very similar to how David Blough was a couple of springs ago coming off the same type of ankle injury," said Purdue co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brian Brohm. "He's not really getting into the team periods. We don’t wanna risk anyone falling on that leg. He’s getting a lot of work and he’s looking good out there.”
Fans will remember the gruesome injury Blough suffered in 2017 vs. Illinois in Ross-Ade Stadium as a junior. It was a slow road back, as Blough missed the remaining four games that season. He was eased back the following spring and went on to enjoy a banner final season in 2018 in West Lafayette. Blough has since gone on to earn a roster spot as an undrafted player with the Detroit Lions, starting the final five games in 2019. He still found time to reach out to Plummer after he was injured.
"Yes, I talk to David,” said Plummer. “I think he may have texted me right after. He saw it. Pretty similar spot on the field, going the same direction, running the ball, pretty similar injuries. Pretty freaky, actually.
“We had a pretty similar injury. And he did the same thing as me. The first couple practices of spring ball was no contact but then he worked his way into full live. That’s what I’m planning on doing.”
Will Plummer eventually be more involved in full team situations later this spring?
“I’m feeling pretty good. I’m out here running around, doing a whole bunch of stuff," said Plummer after practice on Friday. "Just not doing the team stuff. They want precaution. They don’t want guys rolling up on me. So I am doing everything but when there is live there are live defensive bodies around.”
Plummer wants to build off what was a promising 2019 season. He started the third game of 2019 vs. TCU when Elijah Sindelar was out with a concussion. Plummer then became the full-time starter in the fifth game of the season after Sindelar suffered a season-ending shoulder injury vs Minnesota.
Story continues below video
Plummer showed talent. He has a strong arm and the ability to extend plays with his feet. In fact, it was Plummer’s running ability that played a role in his injury, as he was hurt at the end of a scramble.
“I think I was getting into a little bit of a groove (when I took over),” said Plummer. “It started off pretty shaky with a couple of freak plays the defense made. But after that, I was clicking, I was running the ball really well. I was throwing it. I made a good run too, about a 14-yard gain but it didn’t end in my favor.”
Plummer made six starts in 2019, hitting 59.8 percent of his passes (144-of-241) for 1,603 yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran 62 times for 56 yards before getting hurt and watching O’Connell start the final three games of last season.
“Jack is a very mature kid,” said O’Connell. “Obviously younger than me, but he’s a mature kid. Talk about being around students of the game, one of the smartest kids I’ve ever been around talking Xs and Os. He’s taught me a lot in that way. I love him to death. Just a very smart kid, very bright kid. We are in a lot of the same classes, too. It’s been a cool journey for me and him.”
And the competition is friendly.
“Me and Aidan are really good friends,” said Plummer. “That goes for every quarterback who has gone through our room. It's a really special room to be in because at the same time we all are competing, we all are really good friends. It’s funny, when you compete with people, it makes both of you better.”
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. 2020. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.
