[2024] Purdue Inside Linebacker Room Breakdown

[BabaYaga]

Inside linebacker for Purdue is very strong this year with likely the best duo in the sim. Purdue also has quite a bit of depth at the ILB position with three blue chip prospects as freshmen this year. They have one of the best rooms in the country and will take a step back next year before being right there again as players develop. Below, we will take a look at who could be in line to start as we head into the spring, the projected starters right now, and a look at the depth that Purdue has in the room. Purdue has 10 ILB's on the roster and five of them are blue chip prospects. The five blue chips are a senior, junior, and three freshmen.

Returning Players
Nick Pino - 3* (SR) - A-
Bruce Johnson - 4* SR - A
Ben Jimenez - 4* JR - B
Robert Diaz - 3* JR - B-
Jason Jenkins - 3* (SO) - B
Trayce Russell - 3* (SO) - B-
Erick Grade - 3* SO - C
Brandon Stevens - 4* (FR) - B

Incoming Players
Gerard Donner - 4* FR - C
Jonathan Bolduc - 4* FR - C

2023 Season Stats
Johnson - 97 tackles, 17 TFL, 2 INT
Jimenez - 54 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT
Diaz - 9 tackles
Grade - 3 tackles
Jenkins - 1 tackle

Purdue ILB Room Breakdown

Projected starters: Bruce Johnson and Nick Pino - Johnson has been a starter since he arrived on campus and will leave as a future potential 1st round draft pick. Johnson is the best player on this Purdue team and is as surefire of a tackler as you will fine. He lacks a little bit in the coverage department, but as a MLB he isn't needed to cover in space often. Pino is coming off of a redshirt season where he progressed well. The plan was to get him some additional development before starting Johnson and Pino as dual seniors for their last year. Pino is solid across the board in all facets of the game.

One to Watch: Jason Jenkins - Jenkins is a high ceiling inside linebacker who will see the field quite a bit for his team this year. He projects as a future starter and should be able to get good progression this year. Jenkins is on the cusp of being very good for this team and rotational snaps this year will prove that.

Darkhorse: Brandon Stevens - Stevens is a highly respected freshman who redshirted last year. He will likely be in line for some snaps this year as the team will work him up into what they hope is a guy who can provide great depth. He needs to refine his ability but with a good year he could find himself being ILB2 next year.

Redshirt Candidates: Ben Jimenez, Gerard Donner, and Jonathan Bolduc - Jimenez, Donner, and Bolduc are all candidates to redshirt. Jimenez was always in the plan to redshirt with the last two years of his career being a great MLB1 opportunity. He was able to record 54 tackles last year while Pino redshirted. Donner and Bolduc are both a little bit away from meaningful snaps but after a redshirt year will figure into the depth.

Notes on others:
Robert Diaz - Diaz is a good option at ILB because of his ability to cover and play up on the line. He is one of the better tacklers on this Purdue squad.
Trayce Russell - Russell has quite a bit of potential. Look for Purdue to try and get him as much playing time as possible in order to be in line to start next year.
Erick Grade - Grade got some run last year as a true freshman and will look to play a depth role this year. He might end up getting bumped to OLB but might stay in the middle as a sure tackler.

Purdue ILB Room Future Outlook
The ILB room for Purdue is in pretty good shape. They look to be one of the best rooms in 2024 and have a good looking future. I would say the room outlook for Purdue is right on the line of good to great. There will always be starter capable players and the floor for the room is high. There might not be a stud in the room, but you can win without studs. Purdue has three blue chip freshmen and two more underclassmen with very high potential. Look for this room to just keep getting better every single year. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the ILB's eventually flipped out to the outside if bodies are needed.