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Purdue Football: Top 3 breakout candidates for Boilermakers in 2021

By Dante Pryor

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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Purdue running back Zander Horvath (40) runs the ball during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.Purdue Vs. Rutgers
Purdue running back Zander Horvath (40) runs the ball during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.Purdue Vs. Rutgers /

1. Zander Horvath, RB

It’s no wonder running back Zander Horvath wears No. 40. The redshirt senior is ripe for a Mike Alstott-like season. Horvath was third on the team in receptions last season. Brohm is excited about the offensive line this season, which means returning to running the football with Horvath as the centerpiece.

In Purdue’s 2018 bowl season, the Boilermakers had two running backs with over 100 carries. The offensive line was healthy that season as well. Purdue’s offense has the potential to be dangerous if there is balance. Horvath is by far the best running back on the team and should get the lion’s share of the carries.

Horvath is a great runner between the tackles, and the strength of the Boilermakers’ offensive line is from guard to guard. What would help Purdue’s run game is a speedy running back to compliment Horvath. King Doerue is a similar back as Horvath and is not as good a receiver.

UNLV transfer Dylan Downing could provide some needed speed to compliment Horvath’s physicality at the running back.

Where Horvath is a plus athlete on the field is in the passing game. Horvath led All-Big Ten running backs with those 30 receptions last fall. Horvath can motion out of the backfield and line up either in the slot or the boundary.

Expect Horvath to have a 150-200 touch season and over 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season.

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