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Deep Dive Practice No. 12

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•04/08/25•

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It’s informative, it’s analytical, it’s opinionated, it’s the Deep Dive, a look at today’s football practice.

• Purdue practiced indoors on a chilly Tuesday morning.

• Jamarrion “Chops” Harkless is poised to be an anchor for a Purdue d-line that has shown promise.

A big point of emphasis is watching his weight. To help, Harkless takes walks with Coach Ro (strength coach Kiero Small) Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Chops weighed 356 last year at this time; he is 350 now. He’s trying to eat more protein and says he has gained muscle.

Grilled chicken, mac and cheese and broccoli.

“Heavy on the broccoli,” he said. “I have to get my greens in.”

What’s Harkless indulge in on his cheat day? Ice cream.

• Harkless has high praise for sidekick TJ Lindsey, a promising transfer DL from Auburn. Harkless compares his partnership with Lindsey to a famous NBA duo.

“We are like Shaq and Kobe,” said Harkless. “I make sure he gets all the plays. I try to be unselfish so everyone on the d-line can eat.”

Added Linsdey: “Me and Chops are gonna make a good duo.”

Of course, Harkless is Shaq and Lindsey is Kobe.

• One o-lineman that has caught Harkless’ eye: C Giordano Vaccaro.

“I try to go against him in one-on-one any chance I get,” said Harkless. “In my opinion, he gives the best effort. I feel like he’s the best on the line, so I like going against him because it’s great competition each time.”

• Lindsey first got to know Barry Odom when he was in high school in Arkansas and Odom was DC for the Razorbacks. DL coach Kelvin Green also was with the Hogs at the time.

“I felt like they were real,” said Lindsey. “They told me everything I work for, I’ll get.”

• Look for Lindsey to kick out to the edge on passing downs.

“I have all the edge tools with an interior body,” said Lindsey.

One program-watcher told me he thinks Lindsey is a pro.

• Why No. 13 for Lindsey?

“It’s my sister’s favorite number,” he said. “I had it last year at Auburn.”

MORE: Spring football content portal

• Nevada transfer safety Chad Brown has been MIA. Why? His eligibility is in question, as NCAA wonks try to figure out if he has another year to play. Things are always tricky with the NCAA, so we’ll see what happens.

Brown started his career way back in 2019 at Fresno City College and missed the 2020 Covid season. Brown moved on to Nevada in 2021, playing three games that season before playing just one game in the 2022 season due to injury. He played a combined 25 games the last two years for the Wolf Pack.

• Speaking of DBs, S Tahj Ra-El was taking part in 11-on-11 action wearing a green “no contact” penny. Also in green “no contact” pennys today were LB Winston Berglund, OL Mason Vicari and DL Joe Strickland.

• Ohio DL Cam Rice is currently on a visit at Purdue. He’ll have one year of eligibility. Bowling Green DL Marcus Moore will visit Purdue April 11-12. He has three years of eligibility.

• Gary Lehman, the chair of Purdue’s Board of Trustees, visited practice. Odom came over to chat. Also on hand today: Tom Mitchell, Senior Associate Athletics Director of Compliance. He’s always the smartest guy in the room.

• Purdue will be back on the field on Thursday. Odom has said it will be operated as a game week Thursday. That will be the case for Friday’s practice, as well.

Thanks for reading.

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