WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Boilermakers started another week of fall camp on Monday, August 12 with a focus on continuing to get better and staying healthy.
Less than three weeks remain until the team runs out of Tiller Tunnel to face Indiana State in the season opener, and there is still a lot of work to be done. Head coach Ryan Walters once again spoke with the media, giving us an insight into what he's seen from his team through 10 days of fall practice.
"I think the thing I've been most pleased with is guys approaching every day the way we want them to approach it," Walters said. "You aren't having to coach effort. You aren't having to coach communication. Not having to coach physicality. Guys are learning how to compete at a high level while still taking care of each other. The way we've operated through 10 practices is definitely what our staff had envisioned [coming in]. Now guys are starting to hold each other accountable at practice. You're starting to see some leadership. I'm excited to cut them loose and go play this fall."
With position battles still raging across the depth chart, Walters and company put the players through an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday (Aug. 10) to see who would step up and take their opportunities.
"I liked what I saw. We accomplished what I wanted to accomplish," Walters said. "I wanted to give some controlled reps to guys that we think will be guys that we can count on from a production standpoint and then let the rest of the roster show what they can do. Prove whether they need to be or not be on the travel roster."
One of the new faces that is eager to show fans what he can do is Georgia transfer C.J. Madden. The sophomore rush end spoke on what the process was like that brought him and three other former Bulldogs to Purdue.
"At first it was kind of scary, especially being in the portal, I was afraid I'd be up here by myself," Madden said of his transfer decision. "I was glad to see other guys come in from Georgia and be with us and be with me. The team here welcomed us with open arms. We love it [here]…knowing that you have a brother from a previous team at a school, it just makes the decision easier."
Another Boiler who will have plenty of opportunities this season is senior wide receiver Andrew Sowinski. In a receiver room full of new faces, the Indianapolis native sees himself as a veteran leader trusted by his coaches to help out wherever he can.
"I think my role, first and foremost, is to help lead the group," Sowinski said. "Having been here a while, Coach [Patterson] wants me to bring along some of the younger guys. Share some of the knowledge that I've gained over the years from people to help develop and lead the group…we've had some good rooms over the years here, but Coach CP and Coach Walters did a good job recruiting the room and getting guys to come here."
A full week of work awaits the Boilermakers with five practices still to come. Tickets are still available for the home opener against Indiana State on Aug. 31 in Ross-Ade Stadium.
Less than three weeks remain until the team runs out of Tiller Tunnel to face Indiana State in the season opener, and there is still a lot of work to be done. Head coach Ryan Walters once again spoke with the media, giving us an insight into what he's seen from his team through 10 days of fall practice.
"I think the thing I've been most pleased with is guys approaching every day the way we want them to approach it," Walters said. "You aren't having to coach effort. You aren't having to coach communication. Not having to coach physicality. Guys are learning how to compete at a high level while still taking care of each other. The way we've operated through 10 practices is definitely what our staff had envisioned [coming in]. Now guys are starting to hold each other accountable at practice. You're starting to see some leadership. I'm excited to cut them loose and go play this fall."
With position battles still raging across the depth chart, Walters and company put the players through an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday (Aug. 10) to see who would step up and take their opportunities.
"I liked what I saw. We accomplished what I wanted to accomplish," Walters said. "I wanted to give some controlled reps to guys that we think will be guys that we can count on from a production standpoint and then let the rest of the roster show what they can do. Prove whether they need to be or not be on the travel roster."
One of the new faces that is eager to show fans what he can do is Georgia transfer C.J. Madden. The sophomore rush end spoke on what the process was like that brought him and three other former Bulldogs to Purdue.
"At first it was kind of scary, especially being in the portal, I was afraid I'd be up here by myself," Madden said of his transfer decision. "I was glad to see other guys come in from Georgia and be with us and be with me. The team here welcomed us with open arms. We love it [here]…knowing that you have a brother from a previous team at a school, it just makes the decision easier."
Another Boiler who will have plenty of opportunities this season is senior wide receiver Andrew Sowinski. In a receiver room full of new faces, the Indianapolis native sees himself as a veteran leader trusted by his coaches to help out wherever he can.
"I think my role, first and foremost, is to help lead the group," Sowinski said. "Having been here a while, Coach [Patterson] wants me to bring along some of the younger guys. Share some of the knowledge that I've gained over the years from people to help develop and lead the group…we've had some good rooms over the years here, but Coach CP and Coach Walters did a good job recruiting the room and getting guys to come here."
A full week of work awaits the Boilermakers with five practices still to come. Tickets are still available for the home opener against Indiana State on Aug. 31 in Ross-Ade Stadium.