Looking ahead: Purdue offensive line
MORE SPRING PREVIEWS: RBs | QBs
The best way to characterize the Purdue offense the last two years is a “work in progress.” And that’s being kind. No unit was in worse shape when Jeff Brohm came aboard for the 2017 season.
Credit offensive line coach Dale Williams, who has done a masterful job in a trying circumstance. Williams has had his work cut out for him piecing together an often rag-tag unit that has had a lot of moving parts the past two season. Depth has been almost nil, as Purdue has had no more than seven or eight linemen capable of playing in 2017 and 2018. Thank goodness for grad transfers.
This spring, Williams will begin molding a unit that is largely comprised of prep players signed by this staff. The potential is intriguing. Still, the line has a long ways to go … and a lot to prove.
WHAT WE KNOW
The interior of the line is being overhauled. The unit will miss center Kirk Barron, who earned honorable mention All-Big Ten from the coaches and media last season. He was a warrior, an anchor inside and the group’s most steady contributor, starting 38 games in a row over three seasons. Now, the squatty Barron and his painted face are gone.
Barron was flanked by Dennis Edwards (Western Kentucky) and Shane Evans (Northern Illinois), a pair of heaven-sent grad transfers who were serviceable. Edwards started every game at a guard spot in 2018. Evans started 24 games at guard in his two seasons. Each had a limited skill set and wasn't Big Ten-caliber but gave effort and tried. And now, each is gone.
Purdue also loses Eric Swingler, a former walk-on who started the last four regular-season games at left tackle in 2018 after Grant Hermanns hurt a knee. Swingler, who started the first two games at right tackle last season after making seven starts at left tackle to close 2017, was a valuable reserve. He was strong and tough but lacked athletic ability.
Also gone from reserve are guard Bearooz Yacoobi and tackle Michael Mendez. Neither was more than serviceable.
The good news: The Boilers welcome back starting tackles in Grant Hermanns and Matt McCann. The 6-7, 295-pound Hermanns is the team’s top lineman and could be a "cut above." But the junior has had issues staying healthy, as knee injuries have cost him 11 games the last two years. Hermanns missed the final seven games of 2017 with a knee injury. Then, he missed the last four regular-season games of 2018 with a knee issue before returning for the Music City Bowl. Pencil him in at left tackle. But he must stay healthy.
McCann is entering this fourth year as a starter. The 6-6, 315-pound senior is valuable because he can play guard or tackle. He opened 2018 starting the first two games at right guard, then started the final 11 at right tackle. McCann is "solid."
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WHAT WE DON’T KNOW
Who will start at center? The early favorite is sophomore Viktor Beach. The 6-4, 305-pound Beach was Barron’s backup last season. He passes the eyeball test but most prove he can make line calls.
Keep an eye on a trio redshirt freshmen: Jimmy McKenna, Will Bramel and Eric Miller. Bramel and McKenna could be tackles, with Miller at guard. But, stay tuned. Wherever they figure in, the triumvirate needs to make a move in the spring.
This is a big spring for sophomores Mark Stickford and DJ Washington. It’s time for either—or both—to contribute. Stickford could figure in at tackle with Washington at guard.
Spencer Holstege, a two-star recruit, has enrolled early but figures to have a ways to go.
Keep this in mind: The staff could add a grad transfer. So far, Jeff Brohm’s crew has had three grad transfer offensive linemen: tackle Dave Steinmetz (Rhode Island) started at right tackle in 2017, while Edwards played a key role last season and Evans was vital the last two.
NAMES TO KNOW THIS SPRING
1. Grant Hermanns, junior
2. Matt McCann, senior
3. Viktor Beach, sophomore
4. Mark Stickford, sophomore
5. DJ Washington, sophomore
6. Will Bramel, redshirt freshman
7. Eric Miller, redshirt freshman
8. Jimmy McKenna, redshirt freshman
9. Spencer Holstege, freshman
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