Purdue Football: Top 3 breakout candidates for Boilermakers in 2021

Oct 31, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers safety Jalen Graham (6) celebrates his touchdown with teammates against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers safety Jalen Graham (6) celebrates his touchdown with teammates against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Milton Wright (0) catches a pass and gets tackled from Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Jalen Glaze (12) in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Milton Wright (0) catches a pass and gets tackled from Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Jalen Glaze (12) in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Milton Wright, WR

The offense cannot be “David Bell or bust” this fall. Bell needs complementary pieces around him. Another wide receiver or two could take advantage of defenses keying in on Bell. Quarterback Jack Plummer needs another option to pick up first downs and big plays.

Look no further than Milton Wright. At 6-foot-3, Wright has the catch radius to be a red zone threat and catch the 50/50 passes. In addition to the size, Wright has the speed to score from anywhere on the field.

Wright is one of the premier sprinters in the country, and that speed could help Purdue take the top off of defenses. Coming into the program as an athlete, this is the season the Boilermakers need Wright to take another step in his development as a wide receiver.

With Rondale Moore off to the NFL, Wright is the best returning receiver next to Bell. If Wright lives up to his big-play potential, he will draw safeties from the middle of the field. That opens up an entire level to the offense with tight ends Payne Durham and Garrett Miller in the seams.

What Brohm wants is to cultivate several options at the receiver to put points on the board. Wright as a game-breaking second option would make the Purdue offense dangerous.