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Purdue Football: Boilermakers’ 2018 season preview, prediction

By Patrick Mayhorn

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 18: Runningback D.J. Knox #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 18, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 18: Runningback D.J. Knox #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 18, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 26: Ricky Brookins #33 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball as Jacob Thieneman #41 and Ja’Whaun Bentley #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana defeated Purdue 26-24. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 26: Ricky Brookins #33 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball as Jacob Thieneman #41 and Ja’Whaun Bentley #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana defeated Purdue 26-24. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Defense

Purdue’s offense returns a ton of production in 2018. The defense is a different story. Defensive coordinator Nick Holt could be in for a tough season this year.

Defensive tackle Lorenzo Neal is back, as is end Kai Higgins, but Galen Robinson, Eddy Wilson, Austin Larkin, and Antoine Miles are all gone. Redshirt freshman Anthony Watts, and freshmen like Jeff Marks, Kelvin Stokes, Jack Sullivan, Lawrence Johnson, and Branson Deen will all have to contribute to a patchwork line.

The linebackers aren’t in much better of a spot. The losses of Ja’Whaun Bentley, TJ McCollum, Danny Ezechukwu, and Garrett Hudson make for an inexpensive group. Derrick Barnes will lead the way, with Markus Bailey and Rob Simmons beside, but they’ll need help. Freshmen Jaylan Alexander and Ja’Qurius Smith will both play quite a bit.

The defensive backfield returns the most of any group, but still isn’t great by any means. Safety Jacob Thieneman leads the way, joined by Navon Mosely, Antonio Blackmon, and Last Chance U star TJ Jallow, all of whom played sparingly last year.

Cornerback will be manned by Tim Cason, a reserve last season, as well as Simeon Smiley, and Mike Little. A few of the safeties, probably Mosely and Blackmon, as well as some key freshmen will likely find time at corner

The losses of Josh Okonye and Da’Wan Hunte, the two starters last year, will really hurt this group.

Which freshmen contribute?

The key to this defense being good in 2018 will come down to which players step up. The depth and starters have been decimated, and new players will need to play well this year.

Jeff Marks, Jaylan Alexander, Ja’Qurius Smith, safeties Cory Trice and Kadin Smith, as well as corner Jordan Rucker are all being counted on this year. They’re all great athletes, but they’re raw, and very green.

Good offenses should pick on this defense all year, and it’ll be up to the vets to keep the team together. However, they’ll need help from their young counterparts.

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