While the new year has begun, GoldandBlack.com is looking back at the previous season and taking a deep dive into each of Purdue's positions, how they graded, their trends and other observations.
Next up, the defensive backs. This group played up to its ability and then some despite a lack of depth at cornerback and safety, as Purdue finished No. 5 in the Big Ten in pass defense (208.7 ypg) and was No. 4 in interceptions with 13.
Observations
1. Jamari Brown steps up at corner
The loss of Cory Trice to injury in September thrust Jamari Brown into a starting role the last 11 games of 2021. And the Kentucky transfer held up pretty well. His 733 defensive snaps were fourth most on the team.
Foes tested Brown. How much? He was targeted more than any other Boilermaker defender, with opponents throwing at him 58 times. He allowed just 28 completions, as his 48.3 percent completion rate allowed was the lowest among Boiler defensive backs who played over 100 snaps. Brown led the squad with seven PBUs, but he missed 11 tackles--fourth most on the team.
2. Lack of corners
There was a worrisome lack of depth at this position, a situation that was exasperated by the loss of No. 1 cornerback Cory Trice after just two games due to a knee injury.
Purdue essentially played just two cornerbacks all season: Jamari Brown and Dedrick Mackey. The duo combined to play 1,452 snaps. Brown played 733 of 895 defensive snaps (82 percent), while Mackey played 719 (80 percent).
Mackey earned the highest defensive grade among Purdue DBs, making three picks.
If the staff was in a pinch to play a third corner, it would turn to Sanoussi Kane--a safety by trade--and Chris Jefferson, the nickel back. In fact, Kane started the bowl game when Mackey was unavailable due to academics. Kane played an eye-popping 111 snaps--over half his season total--vs. Tennessee and yielded just two catches on six targets.
3. The 1-2 punch at safety
Much like the cornerback slot, Purdue relied on primarily just two safeties in 2021: Cam Allen and Marvin Grant.
Allen ranked No. 5 on the defense in snaps, playing 728 of 895 (82 percent). Grant played 678 snaps (76 percent).
Allen was often around the ball, ranking fourth in the Big Ten in interceptions with four. He finished third on the team in tackles with 56 but he missed a team-high 14 tackles.
Grant finished second on the team with 67 tackles.
4. The D-2 kid
Chris Jefferson made the jump from Division II Findlay to Purdue. And, he rose to the occasion.
Jefferson played a key role as a nickel back. His tackling grade (80.6) was the highest of any DB, as he had just four missed tackles. Jefferson allowed a 60 percent completion percentage (15-of-25) and had four PBUs with an interception. He lacks ideal size (5-11, 190) but is a savvy, tough player.
He'll be back in 2022.
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