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Deep Dive: Spring FB Practice No. 2

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•03/10/25•

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Evans Chuba, Malachi Singleton (Krockover Photography)

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

• With the temperature hovering around freezing and with frost on the windshields, Purdue opted to move indoors for its second spring practice. Good idea.

• The practices move at a quick pace with little standing around. Go, go, go. At times, there were three mini-scrimmages going on at the same time.

• Plenty of special teams work, from how to block a punt, block on a return, field goals and returns. Special teams coach James Shibest is one of the best in the business. Could he end up being the best ST coach Purdue has had? Maybe. He has an unmatched resume. And he’s being paid like it: $800,000.

• Good to see big Kelly Kitchel at practice.

MORE: Photo gallery from practice No. 2

• QB EJ Colson was missing from practice today. The UCF transfer was at Tuesday’s practice.

• QB Evans Chuba was running with the top offensive line, with Malachi Singleton running with the second unit. Chuba throws a nice ball and is quick. And at 6-4, 215, he’s the biggest of the signal-callers. Keep an eye on the Canadian who came from Washington State.

• WR Donovan Hamilton was shaken up at Tuesday’s practice, but he was good to go today.

• Speaking of wideouts, the group that was on the first unit today: EJ Horton, Nathan Leacock and Chauncey Magwood.

• Two key players still off to the side dealing with injury: S Tahj Ra-El (boot on right leg) and RB Malachi Thomas.

• DL Mo Omonode continues to be out. Thought to be a back issue.

• New OC Josh Henson came to West Lafayette from USC. What did he learn from Trojan coach Lincoln Riley?

“I think the biggest thing I learned from Lincoln was to always attack. And to simplify. He is always on the attack. There’s not a moment in his day that he’s not excited about a play and how I’m going to get this play to open up and go score points. And, obviously, he’s been one of the best at in college football for 10 years. And then, I think, overall, just every day, his positive attitude and positive personality when he walks in the office every day. He’s just a very positive person to be around. He’s always moving forward, always positive, always making the next thing happen.”

• 6-8, 275-pound TE Christian Earls is a candidate to be the “first man off the bus.”

• The No. 1 D looked like this: E CJ Nunnally, T Jamarius Dinkins and T TJ Lindsey and E C.J. Madden up front with Winston Berglund and Mani Powell at LB. The CBs: Ryan Turner and Hudauri Hines. The Ss: Crew Wakley, Sterling Smith and Richard Toney.

• Purdue will be back on the practice field on Saturday morning. Expect a lot of recruits to be on hand.

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