12/14/2016 football Edit

Purdue adds mid-year junior college transfer at defensive end

Brian Neubert • BoilerUpload

GoldandBlack.com staff

Purdue has signed junior college defensive end Kai Higgins of Chaffey C.C. in California as its second mid-year JUCO transfer.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder from Pomona, Calif., was just offered by Purdue Wednesday. He is a full qualifier expected to have four years to use three seasons of eligibility.

He was a full qualifier out of high school and was planning to return to Chaffey for the second semester, until today's events changed his course dramatically.

"This morning really got the ball rolling," Higgins said. "The head coach (Jeff Brohm) called me and offered me in the morning and gave me the day to decide, since it's signing day. I'm extremely blessed and fortunate to be able to play in the Big Ten. I'm really excited and happy about this opportunity. I'm glad it all worked out at the end of the day.

"I wasn't even planning to sign today. That's the crazy part about it. I woke up thinking I wouldn't sign. I was planning to come back (to Chaffey) for another semester to see what kinds of offers I could get. I was waiting for a Power 5 conference school to offer me. I woke up this morning and there was one on my doorstep. I'm really thankful for this opportunity."

Higgins held offers from Southern Miss, Massachusetts and New Mexico State, among others. He played mostly offensive line in high school and didn't earn much notice as a defensive player until junior college, he said.

Higgins was recruited to Purdue in hopes he can impact its collective pass-rush.

"They like my natural physical ability to pass-rush and to get around the edge," Higgins said, "and really just my tenacity to get after the quarterback."

Higgins joins offensive lineman Ethan Smart and defensive back T.J. Jallow as Purdue's mid-year JUCO additions.

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