Purdue slated to add three key players in 2006
There don't appear to be any roadblocks facing offensive lineman Uche Nwaneri in his return to Purdue, or to Selwyn Lymon in his addition to the team.
Coach Joe Tiller said he's expecting — and has "no reason to doubt" — Nwaneri to return to the team following a one-semester university-imposed suspension.
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The former starting offensive guard took classes at Ivy Tech in Lafayette through the fall to keep his academics in order, so that he'd be eligible for his senior season.
"We plan on having right from the very get-go of the second semester," Tiller said.
Nwaneri, Tiller said, has been checking in weekly with offensive line coach Bill Legg and Purdue's academic support personnel to make sure he's squared away.
Nwaneri will be able to rejoin the team at the start of the second semester, take part in winter conditioning and weight-training and go through spring practice.
As for the Lymon — who sat out this season as a non-qualifier — Tiller has been thrilled with his progress in the classroom. Tiller fully expects the former blue-chip receiver recruit to qualify and be a contributor right away in 2006.
Unlike Nwaneri, Lymon will not be able to join the team until the summer.
Additionally, safety Torri Williams, who redshirted this season after undergoing surgery on his foot in the late summer, had returned to practice toward the end of the regular season, albeit in a limited capacity.
He's slated to have one more surgery to remove pins from his foot at the end of this month, but after that, he hopes to be clear for full recovery. Williams, a sophomore who'll likely start next season, hopes to be ready in time for spring ball.
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