5 ‘supporting cast’ players who can help Purdue make a jump in the B1G West

For Purdue to exceed expectations this season in the B1G West — and get back to the postseason — it’ll need A performances from its A-list players, guys like David Bell and George Karlaftis.

But a bunch of others will need to step up, too.

Let’s take a look at 5 “supporting cast” players whom Purdue needs to come through with big seasons.

TJ Sheffield, WR

A 3rd-year wide receiver, TJ Sheffield is going to get the biggest opportunity of his Purdue career, a chance to fill in at the slot for the departed Rondale Moore.

Mainly a return man previously, Sheffield will likely be the starter as an inside receiver this season — although veteran utility man Jackson Anthrop will get snaps too — and while he won’t erase memories of the great Moore, he has tools to be a weapon.

The 5-11, 190-pounder hasn’t played a lot on offense, with only 2 receptions for 11 yards in 2020, but he was effective as a return man on special teams. Last season, he averaged about 21 yards per kick return, with a long of 41. Sheffield has some elusiveness and big-play potential, from what he’s shown in practice, but now will have to convert it to Saturdays. It’ll help that he doesn’t have to be Target No. 1, considering Purdue will throw the ball at Bell and Milton Wright frequently, which might give Sheffield advantageous matchups.

Sheffield’s season might be slightly delayed, however, after he was charged during the offseason with allegedly biting a paramedic. Consequences, legal and within the program, have not yet been levied.

Gus Hartwig, OL

In the last 20 years, there had been only a few true freshmen to play on the offensive line for the Boilermakers: Jordan Grimes, Dennis Kelly and Ken Plue.

Gus Hartwig added his name to the list in ’20, playing in all 6 of the Boilermakers’ games and starting 3. Purdue loves the 6-5, 310-pounder from Zionsville, Indiana, because he has the size and strength to start as an underclassman, but also the mental makeup that could turn him into a star. It’s the latter point that will help Hartwig now as he slides in at center, where the Boilermakers hope he’ll be a mainstay for the next 3 seasons.

It’s a good thing Hartwig is ready. Although he probably would have taken over for the incumbent center regardless, he definitely will now, because veteran Sam Garvin is out with a back injury. And when Garvin returns, he’ll likely to do so as a backup interior lineman, because Hartwig will be hard to get out of the lineup.

Jalen Graham, LB

Although he was a highly regarded 3-star recruit out of Michigan in 2019, Jalen Graham came to Purdue as a player without a clear position. He was too big to play safety, yet too small to play linebacker.

The last 2 years of development, though, have helped the now 6-3, 220-pounder find a home. He’ll play Purdue’s strong-side linebacker, as the Boilermakers will utilize his coverage skills from his previous life as a DB while now knowing he can hold up inside the box, too.

For a Purdue team short on playmakers, at least known ones, Graham has shown a knack for being around the ball. Last season, he had a forced fumble and recovered 2 more (in only 5 games). One of the recoveries was in the end zone for a touchdown.

Mershawn Rice, WR

Mershawn Rice has been around campus for a couple seasons now, without much to show for his presence other than a lengthy injury report.

But the wide receiver hopes of all that — a pulled hamstring and a high ankle sprain — is in the past. During training camp, the healthy 6-2, 205-pounder showed some of the flash that had Purdue so exuberant about his signing a couple years ago. Back then, it was thought that Rice could compete with Bell as the receiver jewel of the class. But since then, Bell has developed into one of the best in the Big Ten, while Rice has fought to get on the field.

Now, though, Rice should get his opportunity. And considering how much attention will be paid to others, perhaps he can be another big-time downfield target for quarterback Jack Plummer.

DaMarcus Mitchell, DE/LB

Saying it was an odd training camp for DaMarcus Mitchell might be an understatement.

The 2nd-year Boilermaker, a former transfer, was sidelined for more than a week by conditioning issues (and apparently a question about his eligibility). But he returned in time to get in more than 2 weeks of practice before the Boilermakers’ opener. And boy, is that a good thing for Purdue.

The 6-3, 265-pounder gives the Boilermakers a versatile player in their front seven, one of the few options to play the Leo position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker. If he wasn’t available, either due to health or eligibility, then Purdue would be left scrambling, likely trying to jam a much more athletically limited player into the critical spot.

But Mitchell is an ideal fit. He was one of the lone defensive bright spots for the Boilermakers last season, at times showing the kind of potential that could make him a huge game-changer. Not sure yet if he’ll capitalize, but Purdue needs him to.

Kyle Charters

Kyle Charters, a familiar face at Gold & Black, covers Purdue, Indiana and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.