Offense: The three burning questions this spring
SPRING LOOKING AHEADS: Tight ends | Quarterbacks | Running backs | Offensive line | Receivers | Linebackers | Defensive tackles | Defensive ends | Safeties | Cornerbacks
Spring football is in the air. Can you smell it? Maybe not. Anyway ... Purdue takes the lid off of its 15 practices (including a spring game) on Monday. Questions loom as the Boilermakers look to rebound from a 6-7 season as Jeff Brohm begins his third season in West Lafayette. Here are my Three Burning Spring Questions for the offense.
How does the line look?
The staff feels solid about its tackles, with junior Grant Hermanns on the left side and senior Matt McCann on the right returning to reprise starting roles. Each suffered a knee injury in 2018, with McCann getting hurt in the bowl game. Both are available his spring. Developing backups will be vital. The real area of concern: The interior. Line coach Dale Williams must replace guards Dennis Edwards and Shane Evans along with center Kirk Barron. This is a huge spring for sophomore center Viktor Beach as well as redshirt freshmen Will Bramel (tackle), Eric Miller (guard) and Jimmy McKenna (tackle). Sophomore DJ Washington (guard) is also being watched.
Who will be the backup QB?
Jeff Brohm already has said fifth-year senior Elijah Sindelar is the No. 1 man. No shocker there. The 6-4 Sindelar has nine career starts and has been the opening game starter each of the last two seasons. But who will be the backup? It’s a vital query to answer, considering Sindelar’s injury history (knee in 2017; oblique in 2018). Nick Sipe, a 6-4 sophomore, has seen only mop-up duty. Jack Plummer redshirted last season as a freshman. Brohm has been effusive in his praise of the 6-5 Plummer since the moment he arrived on campus last winter from Arizona. Plummer would appear to be the quarterback of the future. The staff likes the potential of walk-on Aidan O’Connell, a 6-3 sophomore. He is a legit wild card. True freshman Paul Piferi is on campus but has a ways to go.
Is there a No. 1 running back in the house?
There are plenty of carries available with D.J. Knox and Markell Jones gone. RB coach Chris Barclay has three proven options in seniors Richie Worship and Tario Fuller along with sophomore Alexander Horvath. But know this: Worship will be handled with care this spring as he continues to come back from a 2017 knee injury. He is a physical back and may be the top option but won’t be exposed this spring. Fuller is a blue-collar back but has had injury issues. Will he hold up? Horvath was a pleasant surprise last season. He is a strong, tough back. Don’t be shocked if his role expands. Horvath is a hot commodity. Redshirt freshman Evan Anderson has a lot to prove.
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