Purdue football practice report Day 4: What we saw, what we learned, what to watch for

WEST LAFAYETTE – What we saw, what we learned and what to watch for on Day 4 of Purdue practice:

What we saw

▶ Despite the hot and humid conditions, the Boilermakers held a two-hour workout outside on the practice fields. Plenty of water breaks.

▶ More emphasis on the run game with  – King Doerue, Kobe Lewis, Dylan Downing and Devin Mockobee – heavily involved.

▶ The offensive line and the defensive line getting after it during one-on-one drills. The offensive line won a majority of the first session, forcing the defensive linemen to do up-downs.

“Don’t get cocky,” offensive line coach Dale Williams told his group. “You could be doing up-downs next.”

However, freshman Mo Omonode blew past center Gus Hartwig, leaving the veteran bewildered. End Nic Caraway bull rushed freshman Vince Carpenter and quickly reached the spot where the quarterback would be standing.  

Don’t know if Caraway will blossom into a standout but he certainly has the physical skills. He had an interception in the flat during 11-on-11.

▶ Defensive end Jack Sullivan and defensive tackle Lawrence Johnson were absent Saturday. They went through graduation ceremonies. Filling in Saturday were Khordae Sydnor (end) and Damarjhe Lewis (tackle) with the first group.

▶ Reese Taylor continues to make plays at cornerback. He’s taking advantage of the situation with Cory Trice and Jamari Brown still rehabbing after offseason surgeries.

“Reese has played a lot of ball,” safety Cam Allen said about the Indiana transfer. “We expect him to go out there and do things for us, which he has. If you watch practice, he’s on about every route that’s been thrown at him and he’s one of the fastest guys out there.”

What we learned

▶ Scotty Humpich, who is playing the defensive end/linebacker spot (LEO), continues to impress. Humpich transferred from Murray State.

“He can go. Humpich can play,” co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Ron English said. “Now, he’s got to prove it in there (Ross-Ade Stadium) under the lights but out here Humpich can play.”

▶ Trice and Brown are close to getting on the field. Brown has cut his weight from 201 to around 195.

“I feel like Jamari is just about ready,” English said. “He looks really good to me and Cory Trice is just about ready. They’ll have plenty of practice time in my opinion to get ready. We’re being cautious. Our corner position is pretty good now.”

▶ The Boilermakers bring back plenty of experience on the defensive side.

Granted, losing George Karlaftis is big and replacing DaMarcus Mitchell’s athletic ability won’t be easy. But Purdue has plenty of veteran pieces to start the season.

“We’ve got some experienced guys who know a lot of football and stuff like that,” English said. “At the end of the day, to me, winning at this level is having enough players to win. You have to have depth and quality players and that’s what we’re working to develop and coach every guy as hard as we can knowing like last year they can be in the game.”

▶ After four practices, the Boilermakers have plenty of work ahead. However, English – who will be the primary play-caller – believes it’s time for the defense to raise their level of play.

“I think we need to pick it up as a whole. Coaches, players,” he said. “It kind of feels like guys, I hate to say, they think they’ve arrived, but you can’t assume. Every year is a new year, and you have to have the attitude that you want to be great at what you do. We’re going to nudge them in that direction.”  

What to watch for

Full pads go on Tuesday. … Will the defense start forcing more turnovers?

Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc