Purdue position review: Linebackers
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 linebackers. The staff played primarily just three linebackers all season. And, they held up and were highly productive for what was a solid position.
| Player | Snaps | Defense/run defense | Tackle | Pass rush | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jalen Graham |
851 |
60.8/41.2 |
71.0 |
75.5 |
73.4 |
|
Jaylan Alexander |
782 |
65.2/55.8 |
79.8 |
85.0 |
69.4 |
|
Kieren Douglas |
736 |
43.4/36.6 |
71.7 |
52.2 |
57.5 |
|
O.C. Brothers |
116 |
43.8/41.1 |
34.1 |
59.4 |
51.8 |
Five observations
1. Workhorses
Purdue essentially played three linebackers all season: Jalen Graham, Jaylan Alexander and Kieren Douglas. And that trio finished 1-2-3 on the defense in snaps played.
Graham played a team high 851 snaps out of a possible 895. That comes out to 95 percent of the snaps. Alexander played 792 (88 percent), and Douglas 736 (82 percent).
The threesome held up well and was highly productive. Alexander led the team with 114 tackles. Douglas was third (67) and Graham fifth (64).
The only other linebacker who played over 100 snaps was Auburn transfer O.C. Brothers (116).
2. Coverage
Jaylan Alexander and Jalen Graham were two of the highest-graded Purdue defenders in coverage.
The SAM linebacker, Graham had six PBUs and two interceptions, including a pick-six. He was targeted 50 times and yielded 36 completions (72 percent), allowing 259 yards. And he was flagged for five penalties.
The WILL linebacker Alexander was targeted 42 times and allowed 35 completions (83.3 percent), yielding 314 yards. He committed three penalties.
The MIKE linebacker, Kieren Douglas was targeted 19 times and allowed 15 completions (78.9 percent) for 129 yards. He had an INT.
3. Sound tackling ... for the most part
The main three linebackers didn't miss too many tackles.
Alexander missed just 9.8 percent of his tackles while Douglas checked in at 11 percent. Graham whiffed the most (14.3 percent). O.C. Brothers had the highest percent of missed tackles on the defense (26.7 percent).
4. Kieren Douglas
The fifth-year senior had been a bit player since arriving from Army in 2018. But he played a key role in 2021 after Semisi Fakasiieiki was lost for the season with an ankle injury suffered in training camp.
That thrust Douglas into a starting role at MIKE linebacker. And, he held up well. While Douglas labored in coverage, he compensated by playing with a downhill style. The defense had few harder or more feared hitters.
Douglas will be back in 2022 for a COVID year, and Fakasiieiki is petitioning for a seventh season--which he likely will get.
5. Pressures
Purdue played an aggressive brand of defense under a rebuilt staff that deployed a 4-3 base scheme. But, there wasn't an abundance of blitzes.
When the defense did bring the heat, Jalen Graham and Jaylan Alexander were most productive. Alexander led Boilermaker linebackers with 11 pressures and seven hits. Graham tallied 10 pressures and six hits. Each notched a sack.
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