Senior Hunte working to become playmaker; Day 9 notebook

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Da’Wan Hunte jumped a route on the sideline for one interception and leaped for an underthrown deep ball on the goal line for another pick during Purdue’s Friday practice.

By Monday, though, he said he’d forgotten all about that potentially special two-INT day.

“Friday is in the past,” the fifth-year senior cornerback said after the team’s ninth practice of the spring. “I’m just trying to work on getting better every day. I just try to take every day, the next step. Friday was Friday. (Monday) was (Monday). I can’t change anything that happened (Monday). I had a good day Friday. Had an OK day (Monday).

“I have to step it up a notch as the spring continues. There’s only so many more practices left.”

Interesting Friday didn’t stick at least a bit in Hunte’s mind considering that day’s effort was exactly what he’s looking for not only this spring but also in his final season: To make more plays.

Hunte wasn’t involved in a single turnover in his first season as a full-time starter in 2016, and he said that’s been on his mind since the minute he stepped off the field after Purdue’s season-ending loss to Indiana.

"How can I produce more for my team? Coming into spring, that’s all I’ve been thinking about," he said.

This offseason, he changed how he’d stay motivated to reach his goals. Gone is the printed list that he’d posted. Now, he has a nearly 24-7 reminder. He has a list of goals as the home wallpaper on his phone, so anytime he wakes up the phone, they’re staring at him. Even his teammates have noticed — and they’re trying to get peeks, to see what Hunte wants to accomplish.

Hunte wouldn’t say specifically what’s on that list, only that it’s largely about “turnovers.” But if that’s the only metric, so far, teammates think he’s making strides.

“He’s made more plays, has more picks, than I’ve seen him get,” said Tim Cason, who’s been the opposite No. 1 cornerback this spring. “He was a leader last year but even more so this year. He’s a senior. And he’s taken a step forward in performance, just playing really well, better than I’ve ever seen him.”

Though first-year cornerbacks coach Derrick Jackson said Hunte has a better feel and more confidence than some of the other options at cornerback right now because of his experience, there’s also been an adjustment period of learning the new defense and Jackson’s emphasis on different techniques.

Jackson said Hunte’s “comfort zone” doesn’t necessarily translate to Purdue’s new system, but he also expects the veteran to make the transition quickly because Purdue needs him on the field.

Hunte said the biggest difference in the new defense is playing more zone than man coverage. Though Purdue did mix it up at points last season — and will this year, too — there still were and are go-to schemes. Last season, the Boilermakers started in press man and played a lot of it early on. This season, the base coverage likely will be more Cover 3, a zone that has cornerbacks playing a deep third.

But Hunte said he’s totally fine with that.

“I feel like you make more plays on the ball in zone coverage,” he said. “Being in man a lot, it’s just you and the guy. So it’s kind of hard to play the guy and the ball sometimes. But we switch it up here and there. I don’t mind it either way, if I’m on the island by myself or playing zone coverage.”

• Add C.J. Parker to the players unable to practice, though he isn't exactly "injured." Parker was in street clothes and missed Monday because he apparently has pneumonia.

• Jared Sparks, who has gotten snaps as first-, second- and third-team quarterback so far this spring, got reps for the first time Monday at slot receiver. That's likely due to injuries piling up at the position, which included projected starter outside receiver Anthony Mahoungou on Monday. Already, Gregory Phillips, the projected starting slot, had to move outside.

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