Injuries have created plenty of opportunity for young linebackers

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You don’t need to tell Nick Holt. The Purdue defensive coordinator knows his unit has issues at linebacker. He knows the position he coaches must improve.

“Last year, we didn’t have any depth at linebacker,” he said. “We basically had (all our) guys go all year. Thank god they all stayed pretty healthy. Now, they all had to have surgery in the offseason. (Next year), We will be deeper and hopefully keep our guys rested.”

That’s the plan. But for now, as spring drills chug toward practice No. 3 on Friday, the linebackers are a work-in-progress.

In 2018, the unit was led by Markus Bailey, Cornel Jones and Derrick Barnes, who plays the hybrid linebacker/end “LEO” slot. But all three went under the knife after 2018, with Bailey undergoing hip surgery, Jones foot surgery and Barnes thumb surgery. Bailey and Jones won’t take part in any of spring ball, while Barnes says he will be back soon as he also battles back from a hamstring tweak.

“I haven’t been at practice much,” said Bailey, who is usually doing upper-body weight training then. “When I am (there), I feel like a GA. I played with (current GAs) T.J. (McCollum) and Garrett (Hudson)"

The absence of Bailey, Jones and Barnes has created ample opportunity for younger linebackers to show their stuff early on in spring practice.

“I am enjoying it,” said Holt. “These guys are all out there, they are hungry and enjoying it getting a lot of reps. We have some good young prospects out there. It’s a good opportunity for these guys. They are getting a lot of reps and only will get better. In the long run, it’s really gonna help us out.”

Bailey, who led the Boilers with 115 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2018, agrees.

“I would love to be out here doing spring ball, but it could be a positive to throw them into the fire during spring ball that they learn things they probably haven’t had to do. Now, they are the ones who have to make the calls. Come summer and fall camp, maybe we can all work more cohesively.”

Bailey is talking about guys like 6-1, 240-pound sophomore Jaylan Alexander and 6-2, 220-pound redshirt freshman Ja’Qurius Smith. Alexander was one of just three true freshmen to play extensively in 2018, along with wideout Rondale Moore and defensive tackle Jeff Marks. Alexander played in 11 games and made two starts, finishing with 23 tackles. He started the Music City Bowl and made a season-high eight stops.

“All the linebackers need to know all four spots,” said Holt, “so we can have multiple personnel stuff. It makes us better, and them, too.”

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To that point, Holt has two pet projects in redshirt freshmen Elijah Ball and Jack Cravaack. Ball (6-1, 210) is a safety by trade, while Cravaack (6-5, 245) is a defensive end. Each is being groomed also to be an outside linebacker.

“Elijah Ball is like our cover-down linebacker,” said Holt. “Kind of a nickel, hybrid ‘backer. He is physical enough to slug it out in there. He is 215, a strong young man. What I like about Elijah is he has good ball skills and good instincts. He isn't the biggest guy, but he’s a good, tough football player. He will be fine and he will hold up.”

As for Cravaack.

“He is big, 6-4, 250,” said Holt. “He was a good athlete in high school. He is exactly what we wanted. A good athlete, long. He was 215 when we recruited him, now look at him. He is 250 and his weight room number have really increased.”

Ball will be utilized when teams spread the field with multiple wideouts. He can work in space, cover and hit. Cravaack will be utilized when offenses are in two-back sets and wanna get physical.

“(Ball) is a ‘tweener,” said Bailey. “A big nickel … We have to find out where we can fit him. He is little more aggressive than you’d see in a nickel. He isn’t afraid to stick his face in there and be aggressive, but I don’t know if he is big enough to take on linemen as a ‘Sam’ backer. He has a chance to see the field.

“(Cravaack) is like a ‘tweener, too. He is in a ‘LEO’-type role and getting reps at ‘Sam.’ His strong suit has been on the line of scrimmage and pass rushing but needs to get better in coverage. Elijah is better in coverage but can’t be down on the line. Jack is opposite.”

Come fall camp, Purdue should have ample options at a linebacking unit that could morph into a strength. Stay tuned. For now, the ‘backers are in a bit of flux.

“We have a good linebacking core,” said Barnes. “We are getting better every day. Guys want to compete and work. We are improved and young. I think it will be a good season.”

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