No, we don’t have three #29s
Fall camp for Purdue football started today, and it threw a wrench into this series. It also meant the release of the new roster. Andrew Sowinski, the #29 on the spring roster we have been using, switched to #26. We now have a couple of new #29s.
Ricky Smith – Fr.
Apopka, FL (Jones HS)
6’, 180 pounds
Cornerback
2021 Projection: Likely redshirt
Getting to the field as a true freshman cornerback is going to be tough, especially since Purdue has two returning starters and an incoming transfer there. That means Smith, a 3-star recruit, is likely headed to a redshirt.
He is coming off of a solid season where he helped his team go 9-1 with their lone loss in the region finals in Florida’s Class 3A, He finished with 34 total tackles, 20 solo, and three interceptions according to MaxPreps. Now he will likely spend 2021 learning and practicing.
Broc Thompson – Jr.
Indianapolis, IN (Marshall University)
6’2”, 188 pounds
Wide Receiver
2021 Projection: Contributor
Thompson is a very interesting addition for Purdue. A relative unknown to Purdue fans as he was not one of the higher profile defensive transfers, I was surprised on media day to hear coach Brohm say he might be in the rotation as a regular receiver. It is a position where Purdue has a ton of talent and much of it young, so hearing that Thompson may play significantly is big news.
He played extensively in his first two years of college at Marshall. In 2019 he caught 19 passes for 334 yards. In last year’s shortened 10 game season he had 14 catches for 228 yards. That’s a career average of nearly 17 yards per catch.
Purdue has a lot of receivers to spread the ball around to. It will be interesting to see how much Thompson contributes.
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