Purdue has a decorated 2019 class. And few new arrivals in that batch have a better resume than tight end Kyle Bilodeau, who played at Woodberry Forest (Va.), an all-boys prep boarding school with an enrollment of 400--100 per grade. He had 34 receptions for 455 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.

A four-star prospect, he played in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, in January with fellow Boilermaker signees George Karlaftis and David Bell. Bilodeau had a 58-yard TD catch in the game. He also took part in the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii along with Boilermaker Class of 2019 signee Milton Wright. Bilodeau had offers from the likes of Virginia Tech, Pitt, Temple, N.C. State, Buffalo, Ohio and some Ivy League schools, among others.

Bilodeau's mother works for a non-profit clinic in Richmond for people who are uninsured. His father works in technology. He has a brother who attends Furman. GoldandBlack.com caught up with Bilodeau (pronounced Bill-uh-DO) for an Entrance Interview. This is the first in a series that will look at Purdue's Class of 2019 signees.

GoldandBlack.com: Why Purdue?

Bilodeau: It had everything I wanted. I had a good idea of the type of school I wanted, one that was good in academics, a strong football program that uses the tight end a lot. I knew right off the bat Purdue was the place. I visited there once. And right after I visited, committed there because I knew it was the perfect place for me. I will start in atmospheric sciences, and they are a good school for that. The coaches all have a good vision and a good plan to develop me. They showed me film when I visited of what I was doing here and how that translates to what they are doing already. They showed me how I would fit in.

You could see the commitment to football through the facilities and fan support. The program is on the rise under Brohm. Knowing the program is in a good direction played a big role. I got along with the players and felt at home there. It’s a good college town. It checked every box for me. There was no reason for me to draw out my commitment.

I visited in June and then committed two days after I got back home. Just wanted to talk to my parents about it.

GoldandBlack.com: Did any schools try to flip you?

Bilodeau: Definitely. TCU, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, all the schools that use tight ends a lot. They all kinda came at me hard toward the end. I was never gonna flip my commitment. The only reason I would have flipped would have been if Coach Brohm had left. I would have looked at other options then. After I figured out he was gonna stay, I shut all of that down.

GoldandBlack.com: Did you think Jeff Brohm was gonna leave for Louisville?

Bilodeau: We talked on the phone about the situation and when I was up for my official visit, we had a good talk in his office about everything and he let me know where he was to reassure us that he was gonna stay. After that, I was good to go. I felt good about everything.

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GoldandBlack.com: How would you describe your style?

Bilodeau: The main part of my game now is receiving first. I have worked on my blocking the past few years and also getting stronger. That has paid off. I think I have blossomed into a good blocker. Definitely my athleticism, my ability to stretch the field, get down the field to make plays, good possession receiver are good. I am an explosive tight end. I can go in-line, I can split out, I can be in the backfield. Purdue uses its tight ends a lot of the same ways.

GoldandBlack.com: Who is your favorite tight end?

Bilodeau: I am a Patrots’ fan, so (Rob) Gronkowski probably would be my favorite. But his nagging injuries are kind of annoying. I think (Travis) Kelce is probably the best tight end now but Gronk is still my favorite. I try to model my game after him.

GoldandBlackcom: Will you play in 2019?

Bilodeau: That is the goal right now. They aren’t planning on redshirting me. It just depends on where my strength levels are at when I come in and how I grasp the offense. They have given me workouts and all the strength stuff. I will be lifting until June to make sure I get stronger.

GoldandBlack.com: What is your height and weight?

Bilodeau: 6-5 and half, 6-6 about 245 now.

GoldandBlack.com: How fast are you?

Bilodeau: My 40 is about 4.7. 4.66 is my fastest, that is on a good day.

GoldandBlack.com: Did you play basketball?

Bilodeau: I played on a young team. We were talented, but didn’t mesh. We sometimes are too nice together on the court. We didn’t win a ton of games. Inexperience haunted us. We had a lot of freshmen and sophomores. I played a 4 and 5, center, power forward. I was the biggest guy on the team. We were in a prep league, and we always went vs. someone 6-10. I averaged about 7-8 points, 7 rebounds. I had 20 points in one game. My focus was on defense. We played a zone, so I had to be the heart and soul of it, direct and communicate with guys.

GoldandBlack.com: What are you doing this spring?

Bilodeau: I will do a bit of track, acceleration stuff and speed stuff. May throw a bit. But I will have emphasis on lifting. Agility and speed stuff, too.

GoldandBlack.com: When will you report to Purdue?

Bildoeau: June 10 is the report date for freshmen.

GoldandBlack.com: Any other talents?

Bildodeau: We have a group called The Dozen, an accapela group you try out for. I sing bass for the group. If I had time, I would be in a play. I have acted before.

GoldandBlack.com: When did you start playing football?

Bilodeau: Started in fourth grade. Kept getting better. I was pretty chubby and fat when I started. I think I started as a center and then moved to tackle. Then I ended up playing wide receiver, then tight end/slot receiver. I also played quarterback a little, too, in middle school.

GoldandBlack.com: What number will you wear?

Bilodeau: Should be 48. That’s the plan. I picked it. It has been my number in high school.

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