GoldandBlack.com Purdue player draft: No. 35 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. In late July, we'll decide — based on GoldandBlack.com staff and member feedback — which team would win.
Clardie finishes the week out with No. 35.
Could I wait to take a second linebacker because Kyle’s full up with his starting three? Probably. But why do that and allow Kyle to snatch the next-best — especially because I just did that to him by taking receiver Anthony Mahoungou?
So no waiting. I’m taking Andy Garcia to fill my middle linebacker spot.
The great thing about Garcia is he has legit game experience, playing more snaps than all but one linebacker on the team in 2015 — seriously, I chart that stuff — and it’s kinda crazy to get a guy who can say that this late in the draft. And as the fifth linebacker chosen. Purdue’s blessed with depth at LB for the first time in ages, and it helps me.
Garcia has had production, too: He was third on the team in tackles last season.
Now, obviously, Garcia isn’t the prototype linebacker. He’s a bit undersized, but here’s what I love about him: Dude’s a fighter. Despite physical limitations, he plays with a ferocity, a hunger, a chip — whatever you want to call it — and that’s a big deal.
Especially for my defense.
I’m banking on having a bunch of scrappy guys, guys who have something to prove and are eager to do it. That’s kind of what my defense has become, starting with Da’Wan Hunte to Austin Larkin to Eddy Wilson to now Garcia. They’re all guys who are eager to show they belong. And, though Kyle may have the defense’s two most talented individuals, I like the makeup of my group.
More: Draft ticker 1-30 | 31. Austin Larkin | 32. Tim Cason | 33. Anthony Mahoungou | 34. Brycen Hopkins
More: Changes to run game could spark production ($) | Much-needed vocal leaders emerging this summer ($) | Players adjusting to change in offseason program ($) | Senior leaders looking to mold freshmen ($)
More: 2016 football primer
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