Anchored by T Eric Miller, Purdue O-line may be A-OK
Purdue’s roster is dotted with questions. But the offensive line isn’t one of them.
Oh, it has some queries.
• Who will fill Spencer Holstege’s guard slot?
• Is center Gus Hartwig OK after hurting a knee last season?
• Has depth improved?
Still, the early returns on the Boilermaker front in spring drills have been positive.
“That is the most important position on any football team. Experience there really helps,” said offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. “Especially at that position, experience together. That’s five individuals that have to kind of play as one individual. The more reps you have built in at that position together really makes a huge difference. Having some experience there helps.”
The front is being entrusted with protecting franchise quarterback Hudson Card, who is turning heads as he adjusts to life as a Boilermaker after playing his first three seasons at Texas. The linemen also must lead the way for running back Devin Mockobee’s push to be Purdue’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2008.
A big anchor–literally and figuratively–will be tackle Eric Miller. His 29 career starts–all in a row–are the most of any player on offense and the second most on the team behind safety Cam Allen’s 31. This spring, the 6-7, 305-pound Miller is looking fit and trim.
“(Strength coach) Ro (Kiero Small) did an unbelievable job with him and he probably got more out of (the offseason program) than any of them,” said Harrell. “I think he’s changed his body just in eight weeks and he’s played a ton of football, and because of that he’s playing with a ton of confidence. And at that position, any position, confidence makes a huge difference.”
Miller agrees.
“It was just an increased focus on making this priority No. 1 for me,” said Miller, a sixth-year senior. “It’s my last go-around and I still have a lot of goals in front of me that I want to accomplish. I changed a lot of things about how I ate, how I drank.”
Off limits: Big Macs, Baconators, Whoppers. And certainly no Raising Cane’s three-finger combos.
“Trying to avoid fast food,” he said.
What about stopping by Harry’s Chocolate Shop along State Street for a pint of Bass Ale?
“I enjoy a trip to the Chocolate Shop as much as anyone, but avoiding those, as well. Trying to eat clean. … “
Helping Miller and all the players stay in shape is aforementioned strength coach Kiero Small, known around the Kozuch Football Performance complex as Coach ‘Ro.
“Coach ‘Ro has come in here and really helped me a lot focusing on changing my body around, losing some of the baby fat, trying to lean out a little bit and hopefully be a little more agile on the field and things like that, a little stronger,” said Miller.
MORE: QB1 Hudson Card brings talent, expectations to Purdue but left cowboy boots in Texas | The 3-2-1: Will Purdue try to add QB via portal? | Gold and Black Radio: Boilermakers through first 3 spring practices
Miller’s focus hasn’t been just about re-making his body. He also is looking to become a better leader.
“That is part of what I wanted to improve on was being a better leader,” Miller said. “Especially for our group and for the offense as a whole. We’ve got a great group of guys and just trying to get everyone going in the right direction. We’ve got a lot of guys who are self motivated. Just trying to get us to work as a group. A lot of things have changed in the last few months and we’re trying to get everything going in the right direction.”
Projected Purdue o-line
First teamSecond teamLT Mahamane MoussaDaniel Johnson*LG Marcus MbowBen Farrell**C Gus Hartwig*Josh KaltenbergerRG Jalen GrantSione FinauRT Eric MillerIssiah Walker*** out this spring following knee surgery; ** arrive after second semester
While Miller is the most veteran blocker, the best is probably guard Marcus Mbow. If it’s not Mbow, the distinction belongs to Hartwig, who figures to be one of the better centers in the Big Ten in 2023. The senior is out this spring recovering from knee surgery.
The unit is bolstered by two transfers on the interior in guard Jalen Grant from Bowling Green–who is on campus–and Ben Farrell from Indiana Wesleyan–who will arrive after the second semester. JC tackle Issiah Walker also will arrive after the second semester.
“We’re in the middle of March, so we’re working through some things and trying to get the system down and going one day at a time and just trying to improve a little bit each day,” said Miller.
“I know I’ve got to be better and it starts with us guys up front. (We’re) working some new guys into the mix and just get a little bit better each day and make the most of these 15 (spring) practices.”
The unit was thrown a curve when line coach Matt Mattox left the program for personal reasons in March. Purdue quickly hired Marcus Johnson from Missouri to coach the o-line.
On top of that abrupt coaching switch, everyone up front is learning the new offense, which is based on Air Raid principles Harrell learned while playing and coaching for Mike Leach.
“We don’t have a ton to install,” Miller said. “We’re going to have a few base things and be really good at them. Just drill them day after day after day.
“It allows you to play free, play fast. We’re going to try to play fast. Working that tempo and being ready to move from one play to the next.”
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