GoldandBlack.com's Purdue player draft: No. 34 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.
Charters' clock is expired at 34 and he takes ...
Purdue might not have a more physically imposing player than Brycen Hopkins.
The 6-foot-5, 251-pounder runs with an intensity that makes others notice, like a runaway truck looking for someone to ... well, truck. Not sure exactly what it is that makes him look so impressive — Purdue has other bigger guys — but perhaps it's the combination of physicality and athleticism.
This is a player, in my opinion, with big-time upside. And that's a major reason why I'm taking him as my top tight end and 34th overall selection.
Hopkins, a redshirt freshman, is far from a finished product, having played only a couple years in high school before having his recruiting blow up as a senior; remember that Florida wanted him to visit late before he stuck with his Purdue commitment. He has the pedigree, with his dad Brad playing at Illinois then in the NFL, giving him a solid base with which to build.
I'd like to have some physicality in my front, as much as possible given the circumstances of our split-squad draft. If I can run between the tackles with Richie Worship against a weak defensive front, then it's a good base. Build off that with a play-action passing game. Big-play threat in DeAngelo Yancey. There's undue criticism of my offense.
Can't blame Stacy for taking Anthony Mahoungou at 33, giving her another offensive threat. He's a player I would have liked, but wasn't willing to prioritize. It was the first "backup" chosen; it'll be interesting to see who we each prioritize for those three bonus picks. I have some ideas.
More: Draft ticker 1-30 | 31. Austin Larkin | 32. Tim Cason | 33. Anthony Mahoungou
More: 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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