Spring practice notebook: Injury news, defense dominate Day One
MORE: Spring Football Central
The big news from the first spring practice inside the Mollenkopf Athletic Center on a cold Monday was that LB Markus Bailey had surgery on his hip this offseason and will miss all of spring practice. He will address the media on Wednesday, when the team next practices. Bailey is expected to be ready for fall camp, which is a good thing. The senior will be counted on to be the leader of a still-developing defense. Bailey almost turned pro after last season.
"Markus will be out all spring,” said Jeff Brohm, who noted that Bailey played through the injury last season. “We will get him healthy for when fall camp starts. He had a hip surgically repaired. He is way ahead of schedule. We want to make sure he is ready for fall camp.”
MIA
Star WR Rondale Moore was nowhere to be found, as the media was told he was “sick.” Have no fear: Moore is expected back soon. TE Brycen Hopkins was on hand but was in just a T-shirt and shorts and didn’t take part in any action. He is dealing with a tweaked back, according to Jeff Brohm. Nothing serious. DE Derrick Barnes also was out as he recovers from a thumb injury. He will be back this spring.
“Brycen should be back here soon,” said Brohm. “Rondale is sick. We will see how long he is out.
“Markus Bailey, Rondale Moore, Brycen Hopkins, while everyone has to improve and get better, we have full confidence they will be ready to play. It gives many others guys an opportunity to showcase that they can help us on the field and gives them plenty of repetitions. Hopefully they can show us they are ready to play.”
DT Lorenzo Neal (knee), SS Brennan Thieneman (leg) and LB Cornel Jones (foot) all will miss spring. Ditto RB Richie Worship (knee).
DEEEEEEEE-FENSE
If Jeff Brohm had to declare a winner on Day One, it was the defense.
“We have a lot of guys on the defensive side of the ball who can play for us,” said Brohm. “Do they have experience? Do they need to get better? Yes. But there are a lot of bodies. We are 2-3 deep at certain positions. We have to get those guys better. They have to step up and perform.
“I do think they played harder than the offense today. I thought they moved around and flew around and had a little more bounce to their step, and a little more energy which is what you have to have in football but definitely on the defensive side of the ball.”
YOUNG GEORGE
West Lafayette High School product George Karlaftis spent the first day of practice working out with first team on defense at end. At times, Karlaftis had his hand on the ground. On others, he assumed a two-point stance on the edge. He showed a quick first step, which is a good sign for a defense that needs a pass rush.
"George goes hard,” said Brohm. “He has a little burst to him. He will continue to get better. I didn’t see every rep he had, but I liked what I saw of him. He was going with the first unit. We will give him every opportunity to go out there and get himself ready to go"
It's hoped the ballyhooed Karlaftis can cure what ails the Boiler pass rush.
“We don’t want to give him too much early on so we will put him in one spot," said Brohm. "But he is a guy who we will have the flexibility to put in different positions if he is able to handle that. The plan is to get him schooled up as fast as we can and see what he can handle. But we have been pleased with what we have seen so far.”
AUDITIONING FOR A NO. 2 QUARTERBACK
Elijah Sindelar is the clear No. 1 quarterback, but who is No. 2? It’s a key question that must be resolved considering Sindelar’s injury history. Sophomores Nick Sipe and Aidan O'Connell along with redshirt freshman Jack Plummer are in the mix. Don't discount O'Connell. Co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brian Brohm likes him. A lot.
“Nick Sipe, Jack Plummer and Aiden O’Connell will fight for the backup position,” said Brohm. “I thought today, Jack had a good day. Whoever becomes the most consistent guy, is able to lead the offense and score points which will be a continuous spring evaluation. That will be who the backup will be. They all need to be ready to play. We need to get them in pressure situations.”
Sindelar said he has submitted his paperwork to apply for a sixth season and expects to hear back “soon.”
"We will see how it goes," said Sindelar.
A VISITOR
Brandon Taylor was on hand to watch practice. He is a 2020 defensive end from Lima, Ohio, who is 6-4, 240 pounds.
ISN'T THAT SPECIAL
Purdue lost special teams/tight ends coach Mark Tommerdahl to Texas Tech last week. Brohm says the staff will address the post later.
"Coach (Kevin) Wolthausen will be running our special teams assisted by Ryan Wallace and some of our other assistants (this spring)," said Brohm. "We have it covered. We had a plan last year going into the spring (after ST coach Tony Levine had left), we have a plan now. We will be fine."
Purdue did some kickoff and extra-point work today. The punting and long-snapping duties won't be resolved until camp when some key personnel arrives led by scholarship punter Brooks Cormier.
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