Deep Dive: Fall Camp Practice 8

Purdue’s eighth training camp practice of 2023 was today (Thursday, August 10). In all, the Boilermakers will have 19 practices in camp under first-year coach Ryan Walters. Today, the first five periods of practice were open.

Let’s take a Deep Dive!

1 – Got a look at the No. 1 offensive line … at least for the moment. From left to right: T Mahamane Moussa, G Preston Nichols, C Austin Johnson, G Jalen Grant, T Marcus Mbow.

2 – The second line was (left to right): T Ben Farrell, G Malachi Preciado, C Jimmy Liston, G Luke Griffin, T Bakyne Coly.

3 – Of course, centers Gus Hartwig and Josh Kaltenberger are out, along with fellow OLs Andre Oben and Zach Richards. I did see big OT Daniel Johnson dressed out and participating. He’d probably be the No. 3 tackle.

4 – Still no TE Max Klare and WR Deion Burks. TE Garrett Miller was in full gear with a black sleeve on his right leg.

5 – I don’t think I saw WR Mershawn Rice … again. Not believed to be anything of concern for either.

MORE: Purdue Football 2023 Training Camp Content Hub

6 – Key defensive players still out: S/LB Winston Berglund, DB Antonio Stevens, DL Prince Boyd, OLB Kydran Jenkins, CB Salim Turner-Muhammad. Good news: DE Damarjhe Lewis was dressed out and in action. OLB Scott Humpich was still in a red jersey. I didn’t see DE J.P. Deeter.

7 – QB with the No. 1 OL was, of course, Hudson Card. The QB with the No. 2 OL? Bennett Meredith.

8 – Is there a stronger punter in America than Jack Ansell? He said this week his bench-press is 355 pounds. And Ansell thinks that number could go higher working with strength coach Kiero Small. Is the Aussie eager to show off his muscles with a big hit?

“As a punter, you kind of pray for the moment you get the chance to do it,” said Ansell. “But then you haven’t done your job, I guess. … I think I’ll be ready for it, but I’m not waiting for it to happen.”

9 – A scout for the Dallas Cowboys was on hand today.

10 – Purdue has four former SEC d-linemen on its roster: Joe Anderson (South Carolina); Malik Langham (Vanderbilt); Jeffrey M’Ba (Auburn); Isaiah Nichols (Arkansas).

11 – Who has been working where on the d-line? I asked DL coach Brick Haley.

NT: Cole Brevard; Nichols; Mo Omonode; Chops Harkless

DT: Langham; Sulaiman Kpaka; Lewis

DE: Anderson, Joe Strickland; M’Ba

Thanks for reading! Purdue is back on the practice on Friday morning.