GoldandBlack.com Purdue player draft: No. 25 overall
This summer, the Boilermakers are being divided.
Reporters Stacy Clardie and Kyle Charters are going head-to-head in GoldandBlack.com's Purdue player draft, a daily selection in which separate rosters of 25 are being assembled over the next two months. In late July, we'll decide — based on GoldandBlack.com staff and member feedback — which team would win.
We're at the midway point Friday, and Clardie's up with No. 25.
Usually, I have a couple picks ready to go and, after Kyle does what I predicted he’d do, I just grab the next up on my list. No worries.
But this pick had me thinking a bit.
There are a couple guys I’d like to have but reality is I probably won’t get them all. So priorities. Want to finish out my two-deep separation strategy all the way through, but those gaps aren’t as wide, generally, with the guys left. Certainly Jimmy Herman and Markus Bailey are a cut above as the remaining top linebackers, but Andy Garcia has played significant game snaps. Though he’s not as physically gifted as some other guys, Garcia plays with a relentlessness that I like and a bunch of fight, also a trait I value. Kyle needs to fill one more 'backer spot, and I have both of mine to fill in the nickel defense.
Key there: Nickel defense. So I probably should take the next-best DB with Kyle already not having enough to slow my passing offense, right? Too bad it’s not exactly clear-cut at those spots with the remaining guys.
But there is one guy who, at least, has starting experience, will be a senior and has shown flashes of ability. So, in a surprise, I’m going to go that way.
You’re up, Robert Gregory.
Here’s why: I have no idea who the next safety is behind Leroy Clark and Gregory with Brandon Roberts as the team’s likely starting nickel. Maybe it’s a resurgent Austin Logan? Maybe it’s JC transfer C.J. Parker or freshman Navon Mosley? Maybe it’s walk-on Jacob Thieneman?
Also, Kyle totally shocked me with his Gelen Robinson pick, so I know he’s capable of taking a guy maybe he doesn’t love but has experience/potential. We feel the same about Gregory — maddeningly frustrated he hasn’t seemed to “get it” yet but also knowing if he decides to flip the switch on as a senior and lock in on his assignments, learn to tackle consistently better and get his body to the proper weight, he has some innate physical ability to be somewhat productive.
Part of me likes the physicality Gregory tries to play with — though he’s admittedly been too big of a safety, at least according to coaches — but he just needs to play with the right aggressiveness instead of going too far.
We’ve seen guys figure it out in their final seasons before. Counting on that with this pick.
Draft ticker: 1-20 | 21. Bilal Marshall | 22. Gregory Phillips | 23. Cole Herdman | 24. Gelen Robinson
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