WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After a week of camp, the Purdue football team donned full pads for the first time during preseason camp on Tuesday. The Boilermakers
With six returning starters on offense and three on defense, head coach Ryan Walters has liked the progression he has seen from his roster as they fight for open spots.
One area that features considerable experience entering the season is in the specialist room. Ray Guy Award Watch List punter Jack Ansell and kicker Ben Freehill got their opportunity to face the media for the first time during camp.
Check out their full interviews below. A list of the media availabilities since the last camp report are at the bottom of this article.
Coach Walters on his thoughts following one week of camp…
We've gotten a lot of good work in terms of situational ball, two minutes and third down. We have a lot of the install in for offensively, defensively and special teams. I'm happy with where we're at from a mental standpoint. We're in the throes of camp. We've got guys who are tired and sore, and to their credit, they're battling to be available.
Punter Jack Ansell on his journey at Purdue…
I feel like it's been a rollercoaster honestly. Starting as a freshman, I didn't perform the way I wanted to. It just didn't go that way. I knew there way more to do. Then my sophomore year, we changed our special teams coordinator. I felt more relaxed and cut loose a little more. I knew I had to change something in myself and what I valued in a good punt. At the end of the day, it came down to what I could do to help the team.
Kicker Ben Freehill on the unity of the special teams room…
I think the dynamic is really good. We're all really close and like to mess with each other. At the same time, we know when it's time to compete and we have to shift our mindset. We're all just trying to do what we can to help our team win games.
Day 2 – Offensive Coordinator Graham Harrell, Quarterback Hudson Card, Quarterback Bennett Meredith
Day 3 – Defensive Coordinator Kevin Kane, Linebackers OC Brothers and Clyde Washington
Day 4 – Running Backs Coach Lamar Conard, Running Backs Devin Mockobee, Tyrone Tracy and Dylan Downing