SB Nation Boston: All Posts by Travis Miller

75 Days To Purdue Football: Josh Davis

2013-06-17T18:17:41Z

Today's featured player is one that could play a big role this coming season in terms of offensive line depth.

Josh Davis - Jr.

Plain City, Ohio (Jonathan Alder HS)

6'5", 300 pounds

Offensive Line

2013 Projection: Reserve on offensive line

Purdue looks like most of its starters are set going into 2013 along the offensive line. Guys like Robert Kugler, Kevin Pamphile, Cody Davis, and Devin Smith are pretty much locked in based on their experience. Depth is always needed in case of injuries, however, and that is where Josh Davis comes in.

This will be Davis' fourth year with the program after redshirting in 2010 and seeing little action the past two seasons. Davis does at least have some experience, thus he can battle for a spot on the two-deeps with some other freshmen coming off of a redshirt year. At 6'5" 300 pounds he has good size and is currently listed as an offensive tackle, but he played on defense in high school in addition to playing basketball and throwing shot put.

Finally, Davis is an engineering major, so having a free education due to football and getting a degree in engineering is not a bad deal.

77 Days To Purdue Football: Joey Warburg

2013-06-17T18:05:38Z

Once again, I am slightly behind on the countdown, so let's get right to the player that was due to be featured on Saturday.

Joey Warburg - Fr. (RS)

Louisville, Kentucky (Trinity HS)

6'5", 260 pounds

Offensive Line

2013 Projection: Reserve on offensive line

As is typical for most jersey numbers in the 70's we're dealing with an offensive lineman. Joey Warburg was a three-star recruit out of Louisville's Trinity High School. While there he won consecutive high school state championships and he blocked for incoming running back Dalyn Dawkins. Dawkins was a year behind Warburg, but rushed for 1,478 yards and 25 touchdowns the year he had Warburg plowing the road for him.

Warburg will have another HS teammate on the roster in Jesse Schmitt, who stands as Purdue's long-snapper. Unfortunately, I don't see Warburg playing nearly as much as Schmitt or even Dawkins. Purdue looks to be set with bigger, more experienced players along the offensive line at the moment. Warburg will likely be a deep reserve for the future.

2013 Indiana All-Star Series: Next Stop Purdue

2013-06-17T17:37:30Z

Bryson Scott and Basil Smotherman officially ended their high school careers on Saturday as the Indiana All-Stars defeated the Kentucky All-Stars 84-77 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. This came a night after the Indiana All-Stars thrashed Kentucky 114-60 at Freedom Hall in Louisville. It was a solid week overall for both Bryson and Basil. They went 4-0, including their sweep of the junior All-Stars I wrote about last Friday.

In Friday night's game everybody looked good for Indiana as our All-Stars set a record for margin of victory in the series. Indiana has now won 11 straight over the Kentucky All-Stars. Bryson had 15 points and five rebounds while going 6 of 7 at the line. Smotherman did not score and missed two free throws, but had five rebounds in 12 minutes of action.

It should also be noted that Bryson was one of five starters for Indiana and was 4 of 11 from the field. His 14 points came in just 16 minutes. Former Purdue commit Derek Willis led Kentucky with 18 points on 6 of 12 hooting and four rebounds, but he committed six turnovers.

Saturday's game in Indianapolis was much closer, but Indiana still pulled off the victory. Bryson was one of three Indiana players in double figures as he had 14 in another starting role. He played 21 minutes and was a much more efficient 5 of 7 from the field with 5 rebounds and four assists. Smotherman saw a more limited role with only seven minutes of action. He had just a rebound and an assist.

I think this is what you will see from both guys at Purdue. Bryson is going to be the more consistent scorer while Basil will do a lot of Little Things that don't often show up in the box score. That is not to say he can't score. He just won't be relied on for offense as much as he will for defense and rebounding.

The All-Stars experience has been a good one overall for Smotherman and Scott. They have gotten to play against multiple players they will see over the next few seasons. Devin Davis and Collin Hartman are off to Indiana. Zak Irvin is headed to Michigan. Michael Volovic is at in-state Butler and V.J. Beachem will be at Notre Dame with Demetrius Jackson. This was one of the most talented Indiana All-Star teams of all time.

Now it is on to West Lafayette for Smotherman and Scott.

Purdue Football Entrance Interview: Johnny Daniels

2013-06-17T12:52:49Z

Evan Massey continues to be a great asset here, as he has been able to make connections with multiple incoming recruits for interviews. In the most recent interview he spoke with incoming defensive tackle Johnny Daniels.

Evan: What made you choose to sign with the Boilermakers?

Johnny: The coaching staff came off as "trustworthy" to me. I've heard about Coach Hazel and his previous success at Kent and how they were a rising talent, and I could relate, so that's another one. Then Purdue made me feel like I could grow not only as a good player, but a successful student and man as well.

Evan: What do you feel is the main area that you need to work on?

Johnny: Staying low and I'm not satisfied with my leg strength.

Evan: What can fans expect to see from you out there on the field?

Johnny: Pretty quick off the line, good pass rusher, been told I'm a great run stopper, and my speed is what's going to help me a lot.

Evan: What was the recruiting process like for you? What other schools showed interest?

Johnny: It was the greatest experience as an athlete. I learned a lot about myself because I'm the first D1 football player ever from my school, so no one was there to help me through it, but it was awesome. The first school was Wisconsin, then every college in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa State, Western Kentucky, Iowa, Middle Tennessee, Harvard, and a few more.

Evan: Are you close with any of your Purdue teammates in particular? Any guys from other schools?

Johnny: Yes. Antoine Lewis who's a junior DB is my cousin and Duwann Hunte is my guy too. My best friend plays D3 football at Carthage University, his name is Michael Hill. He's going to try to get into Purdue in two years and my other best friend is named Joe Mathis. He'll be playing for Washington University next fall.

Evan: What kind of music do you listen to? Do you play any video games in your spare time?

Johnny: I listen to a lot of rap, R&B, some gospel and yes! I'm the GOD at madden and 2k. Anybody can lose when ready.

Evan: Do you have a current NFL or college player that you would compare your game to?

Johnny: From what I can see, and I don't think comparisons are fair. I think right now my game is similar to former Chicago Bear Isreal Idonija because of my versatility and athleticism. I have been fortunate in High School to have played significant snaps at the 1, 5, and 3 techniques. As fr as traits go, I think I play the run well, and have the ability in passing situations to be disruptive with my hands...whether it's affecting the passing game with my rush or getting my hands up to bat down balls in the quick game. I can't wait to get on campus and be around my teammates, coaches, and the Purdue family so that I can continue to grow as a young man and football player.

Evan: Have have the Purdue fans treated you since your commitment to the team?

Johnny: Man, they've showed so much love and excitement for me and the rest of the class to arrive!

Evan: If you were speaking with a young football player with dreams of playing D1, what would you tell him to do?

Johnny: First thing I'd tell him is to eliminate ALL negative distractions as soon as possible! I'd also tell him to make sure his core GPA is at least 3.0 or higher. I'd tell him to always try and be a standout in a crowd. If it's a bad crowd, do great, and if it's a great crowd, be greater! Always keep his faith in God and family, and DESTROY anything that's trying to guard him on the field. Never let a soul tell him what he can't do.

2014 Purdue Football Recruiting: Kirk Barron Commits

2013-06-15T02:02:11Z

We knew it could be a busy weekend for football recruiting with Purdue's Elite camp going on in West Lafayette, but we have a surprise commitment from a player that got an offer tonight. Kirk Barron, an offensive lineman from Mishawaka Marian High School in northern Indiana, has committed to the Boilermakers this evening upon receiving an offer:

Kirk Barron just committed to #Purdue
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) June 15, 2013

Welcome aboard, Kirk. Let's get to know you.

Barron is expected to play at center for Purdue, meaning he can be a little shorter than your average outside lineman. He is 6'2" 294 pounds and is a two-star recruit according to Rivals. He had originally committed to Ohio, but flipped his commitment tonight. Before tonight he only had offers from Ohio, Massachusetts, and Ball State, but schools like Indiana, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Tennessee had expressed interest according to ESPN.

Last season Mishawaka Marian reached the semi-state round of the state tournament in Class 3A before losing to Hamilton Heights one game short of the state finals. They were 10-4 after going 9-3 when Barron was a sophomore.

This is an interesting commitment. most offensive linemen, especially interior linemen, need a few years to develop before making an impact. I think it will be three seasons at minimum before he even sees the field, putting his projected debut in 2016 after he finishes high school, redshirts, and spends his redshirt freshman year as a backup.

Still, he is now a Boiler, so welcome aboard!

Can Purdue Compete In The Big Ten: Morgan Burke

2013-06-14T18:05:54Z

This will be the final entry in this series, I promise. It has generated a lot of discussion ranging from, "Yes! I have been thinking the same thing!" to "There is no way we're the worst athletic department in the Big Ten." I expected as much. Keep in mind that I am taking an extremely long view here. Purdue has been in the Big Ten since 1896. That's almost 120 years of athletics. Yes, many sports have not been contested in the conference that long, but for most we can look at multiple decades where Purdue has struggled.

So let's concentrate on the present day, and it begins at the top. Morgan Burke is one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in the Big Ten. He took the job on January 1, 1993 when Purdue was in a much different place than it is now:

Football was in the middle of a streak of 12 straight losing seasons.
Basketball was far and away the top sport on campus.
Women's softball and Women's soccer weren't even sports at the school yet.
Most of the current facilities were either not built or have undergone major renovations.

We all know about Purdue being a self-sustaining organism financially thanks to the John Purdue Club and the Rotel and Barbasol money coming from the Big Ten Network, but Burke has presided over a large number of capital improvement projects in his time:

Ross-Ade Stadium received a massive renovation from 2001-2003 that built the current pavilion, expanded the concourse, and improved virtually ever facet of the facility. I like to say that it is the house that Brees built because the school cashed-in big time on the run to Pasadena he made, leading to those improvements.
The Mackey Arena renovation extended the life of our basketball arena and gave us not only a fine practice facility, but an overall sports complex all athletes can enjoy.
Alexander Field is a brand new baseball facility that gives Purdue one of the finest fields in the conference and is a huge upgrade over Lambert Field.
The Boilermaker Aquatics Facility is nice enough to have hosted the NCAA championships and lure to Purdue a diver that won a gold medal in the Olympics.
Women's soccer has a new home at the Northwest Complex
The Boilermaker Tennis facility is incredible.
Softball will soon have a new home at the Northwest site.
Our golf facility has produced an NCAA champion and has hosted the NCAA Championships.

These are all fantastic things, as Burke has treated each sport equally. He hasn't really placed a major emphasis on one sport or another, which is something that some people view as a negative. I have talked at length about the long view and Purdue's historical struggles, but in 2011-12 a total of 14 of the 18 sports at Purdue either made it to the NCAA championships as a team or had an individual participate. That is very, very good and the most in school history. Among the other accomplishments:

Purdue won the 1999 women's basketball National Championship, was runner-up in 2001, and went to the Final Four in 1994.
Purdue won the 2010 Women's Golf National Championship.
Purdue won three straight men's basketball Big Ten titles from 1994-96.
Two new sports (softball and soccer) went from nothing to at least making the NCAA Tournament in less than 10 seasons.
David Boudia won six national championships in diving.
Purdue went to a Rose Bowl, something that was a pipe dream in 1993.

Burke's frugal nature has sometimes been a criticism against him. People lost their minds when it looks like Matt Painter was going to walk, only for Burke to come through with the money at the 11^th hour. Burke tried to go the bargain coach route with Danny Hope and it backfired. This was a dangerous game, as men's basketball and football essentially pay for everything else in the athletic department.

Like I said yesterday, there is only one place where you can get 60,000+ paying customers on campus. If Danny Hope is not winning football games you're going to be lucky to get 30,000+, and that greatly affects the bottom line. Yes, we all contribute through JPC and the BTN money, but when you're losing half a million to a million dollars per game because the football team is getting drilled by the Michigans and Wisconsins of the Big Ten it has an effect on a program like ours.

Overall, I think Burke has done a good job and continues to have things pointed in the right direction. He obviously runs things very well from a business perspective and he is not the won recruiting the athletes and coaching them. He merely gives those coaches the tools they need, and the capital improvements have shown he has done that. Many of them are so new that their long-term effect is still to be determined.

My biggest problems with Burke are really the little things. As you know, I am pro-lights at Ross-Ade and it annoys me that he is so steadfast against it when it is clear that it may soon be a necessity to compare to the rest of the conference. Burke also got very lucky that coach painter returned, because he probably turns the vast majority of Purdue fans against him is Painter walked from his alma mater to another school.

Burke is a Purdue guy and a former Purdue athlete. I trust that he loves the Old Gold and Black probably more than I do. The results on the field are beginning to show that love as things are generally pointing up after decades of struggle.

Purdue Basketball Recruiting: June Update

2013-06-14T17:35:12Z

There is a lot of motion on the basketball recruiting front of late. Bryson Scott and Basil Smotherman have been active this week with two exhibitions against the Indiana Junior All-Stars. Those games included multiple 2014 targets playing on the junior side as well. Tonight and tomorrow the Senior All-Stars will take on the Kentucky seniors featuring one-time commit Derek Willis. Tonight's game is in Louisville, while tomorrow's is at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

2013 commits

Both Smotherman and Scott have been very active this week as the seniors earned a pair of victories over the juniors. The seniors won 106-95 in Sullivan on Monday and 133-111 at Tipton on Wednesday. Scott was infamously a snub last season on the junior all-stars, possibly because of his intensity:

In my five years of covering the IndyStar Indiana All-Stars, maybe no player has intrigued my "What's next?" curiosity as much as Bryson Scott. The 6-2 guard from Fort Wayne Northrop plays basketball like the green flag is waving at the Indianapolis 500, gas pedal pressed to the floorboard.

The Purdue recruit has rubbed some people the wrong way at times, with his omission from the core six Junior All-Stars last year as a prime example. What Scott saw as "tenacity and passion" others saw as out-of-control behavior.

This is something I can attest to. I talked to Bryon after his Northrop team lost at Kokomo in overtime to end the regular season and he carries himself with an intensity that Purdue fans will love. In spending only 5-10 minutes talking to him you could tell he has the exact attitude that Purdue needs. He is going to come in and light a fire under players on the roster. He is the type that might go a little too hard in practice and piss off an upper classman, but coach Painter will back him up.

In Monday's exhibition Scott was an impressive 8 of 11 from the field and 3 of 4 from the line for 19 points. He also added two assists and two rebounds, all in just 17 minutes. On Wednesday at Tipton He was 6 of 10 from the floor and 4 of 5 at the line for 17 points with four assists and 8 rebounds. In both games he was regularly on the floor after loose balls and outworking everyone else on the floor.

Rest assured, everyone. We're going to love Bryson Scott in Gold and Black.

Smotherman did not put up eye-popping stats in both games, but showed that he is going to be a great complimentary player at Purdue on his athleticism alone. At Sullivan he was only 2 of 2 from the floor with four points and five rebounds, but one was an impressive two-handed dunk. At Tipton he was 3 of 3 with six points and five rebounds and another dunk. He showcased that he will be a scorer of opportunity at Purdue and one that may not fill up the basket, but will be there for key baskets via positioning, rebounding, and athleticism.

It is clear that both players are going to fit in nicely with coach Painter's system. Their attitude is sorely needed after last year. From multiple reports both played with a "give-a-shit" turned on, something Purdue lacked for long stretches in 2012-13.

Class of 2014

As mentioned, several targets were on the floor in both games Monday and Wednesday. With Dakota Mathias on board Purdue has a maximum of four slots open in the class of 2014, but I think coach Painter saves at least one spot for 2015 since there would be none (as it stands now) if he signs a five-man class.

P.J. Thompson - The rising point guard from Brebeuf in Indianapolis was impressive on Monday he was 5 of 11 from the field and hit on four three-pointers for 14 points with two assists. I saw him in person against Lebanon and he might be a tad undersized, but he is still an impressive playmaker. I can see Purdue adding him as a caddy for Ronnie Johnson for a year or two before giving him the keys as a junior. Thompson played only in Monday's game, as the Juniors had a core six that played with a north six at Tipton and a separate group of six players from the south at Sullivan.

Trevon Bluiett - Bluiett was a member of the core six that played in both games and showed why with 36 points over both games. He had 22 at Sulivan on 8 of 15 shooting and an impressive five steals. He only had 12 at Tipton on 6 of 13 from the field, but added five rebounds. He was recently moved to No. 41 nationally on the ESPN top 100, but I still think getting him is a longshot with HS teammate Kevin Ferrell at Indiana. It is too bad too, because he would be a great player to get.

Mack Mercer - Mercer, from Plymouth was also a member of the core six and played in both games. He only had eight points at Sullivan but shoed nice touch for a big man by stepping out and hitting two three. He only had three rebounds, however. At Tipton he had just four points and three rebounds, but added four blocked shots on defense. At 6'9" Purdue looking at him as a power forward, but Robbie Hummel showed us that a tall forward who can stroke it from long range is deadly.

Tyler Ulis - While he is from Illinois and did not take part in this Indiana-centric event he was recently moved to No. 38 on the ESPN Top 100. Purdue is on his final list of schools.

Reid Travis - Purdue has offered the 6'8" power forward from Minnesota who is ranked No. 40 nationally and he has narrowed his list to 15 schools, but he did not name them in this recent article:

I don't want wait out the decision, so I think once summer basketball is done, I should be able to just narrow my list all the way down to one, hopefully in the fall.

Complicating the issue is that he is also a highly recruited football player.

Class of 2015

There is not much that can be said with this group, as we need to find out how big the 2014 class is before we worry about 2015. As always, a transfer or early departure to the NBA (A.J. Hammons?) can drastically change things. Any 2015 commit right now takes one of the four open slots away from 2014 or is a hedge against someone leaving. Officially Purdue has offered 4-star recruits Jalen Brunson, Hyron Edwards, James Bolden, Jordan Ash, Jalen Coleman, and Luke Kennard. Brunson rates as a five-star on ESPN.

Class of 2016

The only offer outstanding here is Eron Gordon, whom Purdue has been on early. When he has two older brothers that played at Indiana, however...

NCAA Football 14: Top 10 Purdue Player Ratings Revealed

2013-06-14T12:49:13Z

NCAA '14 comes out from EA Sports next week and one of the fun things about the game is that you can go in and add the actual player names to play with instead of just generic QB #15. On most of the teams the rankings are relative accurate, but the top player is a bit of a surprise. he also happens to be today's featured player in the countdown to the season opener.

Trevor Foy - Sr.

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky (St. Xavier)

6'7", 300 pounds

Offensive Tackle

2013 projection: Starter on Offensive Line

Trevor Foy gets the honor of being the highest rated player in the game for Purdue with a 92. He is the only Purdue player with a rating over 90, which is not much of a surprise considering where we are picked to finish this season. He has been an Academic all-Big Ten performer the last three seasons and started the last nine games of 2011 including the Little Caesar's bowl. This year he is expected to bring consistency to Purdue's line as a third year starter protecting the edge.

As for the rest of the top 10, here they are in order:

Landon Feichter - Safety - 88 - A bit of a surprise at safety, but he did lead Purdue in tackles and the Big Ten in interceptions with four.

Ryan Russell - Defensive End - 87 - This one is not a surprise as big things are expected from him. I probably would have had him No. 1.

O.J. Ross - Wide Receiver - 86 - Not bad for a guy currently kicked off the team and highly unlikely to return.

Ricardo Allen - Cornerback - 85 - For the second year in a row Allen is underrated. I would have had him behind Russell as No. 2.

Bruce Gaston - Defensive Tackle - 85 - He would be my No. 3

Rob Henry - Quarterback - 85 - His speed is decent for a QB, but I can't see his throwing stats.

Will Lucas - Linebacker - 84 - Probably appropriate for Purdue's best linebacker.

Cody Webster - Punter - 83 - You don't mess with our punters, especially when they run TWO fake punts in one bowl game.

Gary Bush - Wide Receiver - 83 - I would have had Bush higher since he has the best stats of a returning receiver.

Notable absences in the top 10:

Akeem Hunt - This is what happens when the Nordfense doesn't use a player enough.

Raheem Mostert - I want to see his speed rating alone.