Thieneman keeps making impact for Purdue

Jacob Thieneman was worried.

After having risen into a prominent role late last season — the safety started the finale against Indiana — Thieneman thought he might have to start all over in trying to impress once Purdue’s new coaching staff arrived.

It, he figured, would have little reason to take a closer look, considering he’d come to Purdue as a walk-on and had only a bit of defensive film for new coaches to examine. And then Thieneman compounded the issue in the spring, when he first broke his left hand, requiring a seven screws and a plate, then his right collarbone, requiring another plate and a dozen more screws.