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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Purdue

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09/24/22 - Austin Burton, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

Austin Burton threw two touchdown passes in the first half and finished with three while leading Purdue to a badly-needed 28-26 victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday. Burton made his first career start with the Boilermakers (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) after the Big Ten's leading passer, Aidan O'Connell, was ruled out with an undisclosed injury. Florida Atlantic (2-3, 1-0 Conference USA) has lost 27 straight to Power Five teams since beating Minnesota in September 2007, largely because of Burton and Purdue receiver Charlie Jones.

The two hooked up for touchdowns on their first and final possessions of the first half, the second a 12-yarder to give Purdue a 14-13 lead with 18 seconds left. Purdue never trailed again. But the Owls sure didn't make it easy. After Dylan Downing scored on a 2-yard run to extend the Boilermakers lead to 21-13, Florida Atlantic turned Burton's only interception into a 16-yard TD pass from N'Kosi Perry to Lajohntay Wester to make it 21-20. Burton answered with his third scoring pass, a 4-yarder to TJ Sheffield and Perry made it 28-26 with a 5-yard TD pass to Wester. But a trick play on the 2-point conversion - a pass from Perry to Wester to the end zone was picked off by Cam Allen to preserve the lead. - Purdue/AP College Football

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QB Austin Burton, Purdue
News Source: Purdue/AP College Football
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09/15/22 - Aidan OConnell, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

Purdue is headed to Syracuse this weekend after bouncing back from a dramatic season-opening loss to Penn State with a resounding 56-0 trouncing of Indiana State. Boilermaker quarterback Aidan O'Connell has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 576 yards with 5 touchdowns...Tough wide receiver Charlie Jones, college level Cooper Kupp look-alike, has 21 catches for 286 yards for 4 TDs. Their measurables are misleading because this is one of college football's most entertaining pass-catch tandems. - Frank Cooney, NFL Draft Scout

rSr/2023

QB Aidan OConnell, Purdue
News Source: Frank Cooney, NFL Draft Scout
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09/15/22 - Jalen Graham, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

Purdue's top defensive playmaker - Jalen Graham, a rare talent who can play at all three levels and effectively against the run and the pass - is sidelined up to four weeks with a tibia impact fracture suffered against Penn State. He finished that game and tried to practice last week. He is the type of safety/linebacker that NFL teams covet. - Frank Cooney, NFL Draft Scout

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OLB Jalen Graham, Purdue
News Source: Frank Cooney, NFL Draft Scout
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09/15/22 - Jalen Graham, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

Purdue will be without one of its best defenders in one of its most important positions for at least the next few games. Senior defensive back Jalen Graham suffered a tibia impact fracture in the Boilermakers' season opener against Penn State that will take him out of playing for what is expected to be Purdue's next two or three games, local media reported before Saturday's game. The injury prevented him from playing against Indiana State and could sideline him against Syracuse, Florida Atlantic and potentially Minnesota. - Purdue Exponent

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OLB Jalen Graham, Purdue
News Source: Purdue Exponent
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09/10/22 - Charlie Jones, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell and receiver Charlie Jones appear to be in perfect sync. The childhood friends hooked up for three first-half touchdowns in their second college game together, and then watched the rest of the Boilermakers' 56-0 victory over Indiana State on Saturday. Jones caught nine passes for 133 yards in his second straight 100-yard game since transferring to Purdue from Iowa. O'Connell went 17 of 19 for 211 yards and four scores while moving past Scott Campbell and into sixth on the school list for passing TDs. The first walk-on to earn Purdue's starting quarterback job now has 48 TD passes.

The combination of O'Connell and Jones has looked virtually unstoppable so far, connecting 21 times for 286 yards and four scores this season. "I came here, obviously, for the offense and I like what I'm seeing so far," said Jones, who has already matched last season's reception total. "Definitely, it was a good move." The Sycamores (1-1) fell to 0-6 all-time against the Boilermakers (1-1), and it didn't Purdue long to take control. Cam Allen recovered a fumble on the game's first snap and four plays later King Doerue scored on a 4-yard TD run. Jones stiff-armed a defender on his way to a 7-yard TD catch and O'Connell found Paul Piferi for a 26-yard score on the next two series. O'Connell closed out the half with TD passes of 36 and 5 yards to Jones to make it 35-0. - Purdue/AP College Football

rSr/2023

WR Charlie Jones, Purdue
News Source: Purdue/AP College Football
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08/31/22 - Aidan OConnell, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

ESPN TOP 100 PRESEASON 2022 CFB PLAYERS (Selected Aug. 17): No. 89. Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue, Senior. Notable 2021 stats: 3,712 yards, 28 TDs. Last year's ranking: NR. O'Connell started nine games at quarterback for Purdue in 2021. He guided Jeff Brohm's team to top-five upsets of both Iowa and Michigan State. O'Connell was named All-Big Ten second team after throwing for 3,712 yards and 28 touchdowns as a fifth-year senior. He threw for at least 300 yards six times last season. - ESPN.com

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QB Aidan OConnell, Purdue
News Source: ESPN.com
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08/29/22 - Aidan OConnell, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

2022 PRESEASON WUERFFEL TROPHY (COMMUNITY SERVICE) WATCHLIST: Aidan O'Connell, Purdue, Sr., QB,...Since he arrived on campus, O'Connell has helped with the annual Special Olympics Camp. He has also coached Tippy Stars Baseball, a special needs summer baseball program. Making trips to the Boys and Girls Club, O'Connell has spent time there as a mentor to the children. He continues to be a role model for youth by reading to students at local elementary schools, emphasizing the importance of reading and academics overall.

O'Connell has extended his service beyond the local community, providing an impact in different parts of the world. As one of the leaders of Purdue's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter, the Boilermaker quarterback has joined the organization on two mission trips to South Africa. O'Connell spent time at an orphanage, interacting with children and providing a friendly face to brighten their day. While there, he put up a playground fence and also helped with a variety of other landscape projects. - Purdue Football

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QB Aidan OConnell, Purdue
News Source: Purdue Football
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08/29/22 - Jeffrey Mba, rSr/2025, Purdue + More +

Jeffrey M'Ba is 6-foot-6, 313-pound native of Gabon, who started playing football three years ago while living in France until coming to America for college. He went to Independence in Kansas and became No. 1 JUCO player in the 2022 class. He didn't get to participate in spring ball because of a shoulder injury. He quickly made an impact during fall camp. M'Ba makes up for his inexperience playing American football with athleticism and a desire for improvement. "He played soccer so it's totally different. He's still learning the game. Not only the footwork and hand placement and all that, but it's just understanding the rules of the game, which we take for granted," defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh said. "Sometimes you would think that guy would be passive, but he's not passive. He likes contact." Auburn wants to play 8-10 defensive linemen in a rotation. M'Ba will be part of the mix. - Birmingham News

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DT Jeffrey Mba, Purdue
News Source: Birmingham News
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08/29/22 - Hudson Card, rSr/2025, Purdue + More +

2022 PRESEASON JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD WATCH LIST: Hudson Card, Texas,...A third-year quarterback who enrolled at UT in January 2020 ... has played in 10 games with two starts ... made his collegiate debut versus UTEP in the 2020 season opener ... earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2021 … was an All-American and two-time all-state honoree in high school ... participated in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game ... earned honorable mention Academic All-State honors as a senior ... a four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (spring 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021, fall 2021). - Texas Football

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QB Hudson Card, Purdue
News Source: Texas Football
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08/27/22 - Aidan OConnell, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

2022 PRESEASON MANNING AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Aidan O'Connell, Sr., Purdue,...O'Connell was a Second Team All-Big Ten honoree by the conference coaches and media, the first Purdue quarterback to be named to one of the first two All-Big Ten teams since Kyle Orton in 2004. Despite splitting time at the start of the season, O'Connell threw for 3,712 yards (11th nationally) and 28 touchdowns (17th nationally). He completed 71.8 percent of his passes, setting a new school record for completion percentage and ranking fourth in the country. - Purdue Football

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QB Aidan OConnell, Purdue
News Source: Purdue Football
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08/17/22 - Aidan OConnell, rSr/2023, Purdue + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Aidan O'Connell, Purdue University,... Despite splitting time at the start of the 2021 season, O'Connell threw for 3,712 yards (11th nationally) and 28 touchdowns (17th nationally). He completed 71.8 percent of his passes, setting a new school record for completion percentage and ranking fourth in the country. O'Connell also completed 26.3 passes per game to rank sixth nationally. The gunslinger produced six 300-yard games, the third-most in a single season and the first Purdue quarterback to accomplish the feat since Curtis Painter in 2007. - Purdue Football

rSr/2023

QB Aidan OConnell, Purdue
News Source: Purdue Football
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08/14/22 - Damarjhe Lewis, rSr/2025, Purdue + More +

Another serious injury. Damarjhe Lewis, a key piece to the defensive line, was carted off after a severe ankle injury during a period that featured the No. 1 defense going against the scout team. An ambulance was waiting for Lewis outside the complex. That's never a good sign. Lewis is scheduled to undergo surgery next week and is expected to miss the season. Earlier this week. assistant coach Mark Hagen said Lewis was showing improvement and is a "better nose (tackle) for us than 3-technique." Minutes before the injury, Lewis had made a stop near the goal line, corralling running back Dylan Downing. The good news is the Boilermakers have depth on the defensive line, but the concerning news is Lewis, a transfer from Indiana before last season, had developed into a reliable contributor and replacing that game experience won't be easy. Purdue has already lost backup tight end Garrett Miller to a season-ending knee injury. - Indianapolis Star/News

rSr/2025

DT Damarjhe Lewis, Purdue
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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08/12/22 - Damarjhe Lewis, rSr/2025, Purdue + More +

Purdue defensive lineman/nose tackle Damarjhe Lewis, a key piece to the defensive line, was carted off after a severe ankle injury during a period that featured the No. 1 defense going against the scout team. An ambulance was waiting for Lewis outside the complex. That's never a good sign. Lewis is scheduled to undergo surgery next week and is expected to miss the season. Earlier this week. assistant coach Mark Hagen said Lewis was showing improvement and is a "better nose (tackle) for us than 3-technique." Minutes before the injury, Lewis had made a stop near the goal line, corralling running back Dylan Downing. The good news is the Boilermakers have depth on the defensive line, but the concerning news is Lewis, a transfer from Indiana before last season, had developed into a reliable contributor and replacing that game experience won't be easy. Purdue has already lost backup tight end Garrett Miller to a season-ending knee injury. - Indianapolis Star/News

rSr/2025

DT Damarjhe Lewis, Purdue
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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08/11/22 - Jeffrey Mba, rSr/2025, Purdue + More +

Some things have gotten lost in translation between M'ba and his teammates, but two things have been apparent since the 6-foot-6, 313-pound junior college transfer stepped foot on campus in January: He has an infectious personality and a skillset to match it on the field. "Jeffrey's unique," edge defender Derick Hall said. "He lights up a room." A native of Gabon who moved to France when he was 4, M'ba has only been playing football for four years after growing up playing soccer. After dipping his toes into the sport in France, and quickly realizing his potential, M'ba moved stateside to pursue an opportunity on the gridiron. That ultimately led him to Independence Community College in Kansas, where he spent two seasons and emerged as the nation's No. 1 JUCO player in the 2022 class.

He signed with Auburn and arrived in the spring, but he did not participate in spring practices while recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained last season at Independence. Now he's fully recovered and participating in fall camp, and his presence has been unmistakable on the field-and not just because he rocks a dark visor on his helmet (and a blue streak through his hair under it) and the same No. 5 once sported by all-time Auburn great Derrick Brown. "Jeffrey looks good," Hall said. "He's raw, he's young - in the aspect of football age, let me say that. He's fairly new to this game. He's willing to work. One thing about Jeffrey - his attitude, his approach to the game. He studies, he loves us, he loves Auburn. Just having that attitude, you're going to come out here every day and obviously get better. - Birmingham News

rSr/2025

DT Jeffrey Mba, Purdue
News Source: Birmingham News
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08/10/22 - Hudson Card, rSr/2025, Purdue + More +

Texas' No. 18 ranking in the first USA Today coaches poll wasn't a surprise but the first-place vote definitely raised eyebrows. "It wasn't me," said Steve Sarkisian, who doesn't have a vote. Sarkisian is more motivated by the fourth-place vote in the Big 12 media poll. "We've got a lot of work to do," he said. He reiterated that after a less-than perfect full practice Tuesday, when the passing game seems a bit out of sync. Why? It's not solely up to quarterbacks Hudson Card, Quinn Ewers and Maalik Murphy. And it's not totally dependent on receivers Xavier Worthy, Isaiah Neyor, Agiye Hall and Jordan Whittington. "I think it's in concert together," Sarkisian said. "One is you have to recognize (defensive) coverage. We really push and strive our guys to get them to understand football, know whether it's man coverage or zone coverage. Is it two-deep coverage? So, If the receivers recognize and understand the defense and the quarterbacks react in kind, Sarkisian's offense will produce. - Austin American Statesman

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