Deep Dive: FB Practice No. 7

Purdue’s seventh training camp practice of 2023 was today (Wednesday, Aug. 9). In all, the Boilermakers will have 19 practices in camp under first-year coach Ryan Walters. Today, the first seven periods of practice were open.

Let’s take a Deep Dive!

1 – The team did some work on open-field tackling, one of the most difficult things to do in football. DBs lined up trying to tackle WRs, while RBs and TEs went vs. LBs. The defender would hit the ground, pop up and pursue a ballcarrier who had caught a pass from a quarterback.

2 – The usual suspects remained absent: TE Max Klare, CB Salim Turner-Muhammad, RB Christian Womack, OLs Andre Oben and Zach Richards, DBs Ethon Cole and Antonio Stevens, DL Prince Boyd, OLB Kydran Jenkins.

3 – C Gus Hartwig went through early work, as did TE Garrett Miller. I didn’t see OT Daniel Johnson and DE Damarjhe Lewis, who had been active of late. Don’t think I saw WR Mershawn Rice. Of course, WR Jahmal Edrine and C Josh Kaltenberger were out.

4 – OLB Scott Humpich remained in red, but DE Sulaiman Kpaka has shed his red jersey.

5 – Saw two NFL scouts. One was from Tampa Bay, the other from the Broncos.

6 – Crazy to think there are eight RBs on the roster: Devin Mockobee, Dylan Downing, Tyrone Tracy, Mondrell Dean and Womack are scholarship backs. Addai Lewellen, Elijah Jackson and Bishop Johnson are walk-ons. A nice collection of backs with a mix of size and speed.

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7 – Still no sign of S/LB Winston Berglund. I also didn’t see WR Deion Burks once again. It is believed that each is dealing with minor injuries. No worries.

8 – Your safeties today: Cam Allen, Sanoussi Kane, Dillon Thieneman, Anthony Brown, Landon Heard, Joseph Jefferson, Farrell Henderson and Zeke Williams. Again, no Berglund, Stevens or Cole.

9 – True freshman TE George Burhenn is an impressive specimen. He’s 6-5, 220 but seems bigger. Eager to see what he looks like when he fleshes out. This is a TE room with some nice options in Miller, Paul Piferi and Drew Biber. The group could be a real strength.

10 – Your ILBs today: OC Brothers, Clyde Washington, Yanni Karlaftis, Domanick Moon, Owen Davis, Hudson Miller and Joey Sumlin.

No post-practice interviews today. Purdue is back on the practice field tomorrow. Thanks for reading!