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Q&A: New Purdue commitment and Boilermaker legacy Griffin Alstott

Griffin Alstott is Purdue's first commitment for the 2017 class.
Griffin Alstott is Purdue's first commitment for the 2017 class. (Lisa Jones)

More: 'Dream come true' | Griffin Alstott video

Analysis ($): Griffin Alstott's commitment

Last week, Purdue landed its first Class of 2017 commitment, it holding some added significance in that it came from quarterback Griffin Alstott, whose father, Mike, is one of the great players in Boilermaker history.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound QB from Northside Christian in St. Petersburg also held early offers from Troy, Appalachian State, Akron and others, along with interest from Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Indiana and other power-conference teams that were planning to come see him live in the spring.

As a junior he threw for around 1,700 yards with 15 touchdowns for his Mike Alstott-coached Northside team.

Here's what Griffin Alstott had to say about the commitment and more.

GoldandBlack.com: Obviously your family goes way back with Purdue, but what appealed to you on its own about it that factored in to your decision to commit?

Alstott: "I just like the direction the program is headed in and I think Coach (Darrell) Hazell is doing a great job with everything. It's been a dream of mine to play for Purdue and they've seen the hard work I've put in throughout the years and it's just a dream come true to get to play for a university like that."

GoldandBlack.com: So you did grow up a big Purdue fan, then?

Alstott: "Growing up, I was real familiar with it, with my dad having been there. My family and I visited there a few times when I was growing up. I have been a fan my whole life ... but I didn't let that affect my decision too much in going there. I really chose what best fit me in this recruiting process and I think Purdue gave me the best opportunity to succeed at that level. I can't thank them enough."

GoldandBlack.com: I'd imagine it was probably important to you that Purdue recruited you on your merits and not your dad's name and made that known.

Alstott: "That was a real big part of it. They've seen the hard work I've put in through the years, followed me this whole process and come to like what I can do on the field. Coach Hazell emphasized that a lot and really believes I can succeed at that level."

GoldandBlack.com: Did you know you were going to commit to Purdue as soon as you were offered or did you have to see it first?

Alstott: "I didn't have a crystal ball at the time. Everything was open and I wasn't going to make a decision until after the spring. But after going up there and speaking with Coach (Terry) Malone and seeing the way the offense is going, talking with Coach (Tim) Lester and Coach Hazell, I loved everything they had to say. I just felt like it was the best fit for me."

GoldandBlack.com: Will it get old hearing about your dad or will it be fun?

Alstott: "When people ask me about my dad, it's just a blessing to be able to have that sort of mentor in your life and say that that's your father. But I have to go out on my own limb and create a name for myself, you know?"

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GoldandBlack.com: What kind of quarterback are you and what defines you?

Alstott: "I'm a dual-threat quarterback, but a pass-first kind of guy. When it comes to having to pick up a first down, I believe I can get those extra yards to pick them up. I think that's what defines me. I'm a hard worker, have been my whole life to get this kind of opportunity."

GoldandBlack.com: What's the best thing you do as a QB?

Alstott: "I don't like to talk about myself too much. I try to stay humble and just show everybody with my play on the field."

GoldandBlack.com: What did you learn from your father growing up as a football player?

Alstott: "He taught me just to never take anything for granted and to always just worry about the next play, because nothing's guaranteed. Something could happen at any time, so you have to play every play like it's your last. Everyone says you might have 10 games in a season or whatever it may be, but you never know when it might end, so you have to give everything you have on every play for your teammates, for your coaches, for your school, all of it."

GoldandBlack.com: Is your understanding of the game maybe a little more advanced because you grew up around it?

Alstott: "I believe my football IQ, I have a pretty big jump on that. My dad is my high school coach and offensive coordinator and he really trusts me on the field in terms of me knowing what I have to do to get our team in the best situations to succeed.

"And on Saturdays, watching television, it's, 'Hey, Griff, did you see what kind of defense that was there? What do you do to beat that?'"

GoldandBlack.com: What did Purdue tell you about how they see you fitting in to whatever they're direction they're now going in offensively?

Alstott: "They said they really like how I have a strong arm and they thought I could pick things up real fast and interpret it. They just seemed to love everything I did on the field, so they have me this opportunity."

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