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Purdue LB Markus Bailey announces return for senior season
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Purdue’s defense received some great news on Sunday evening, as linebacker Markus Bailey announced that he’ll be returning to West Lafayette for one final season.
Bailey made the announcement via Twitter. He was one of the top defenders for the Boilermakers in 2018.
“After considering all of the factors and discussing my options with my family, I have decided to return to Purdue for my last season,” Bailey wrote. “I can’t end my career going out how we did in the bowl game. I want to end my career as a Boilermaker doing something special!”
After considering all of the factors and discussing my options with my family, I have decided to return to Purdue for my last season. I can’t end my career going out how we did in the bowl game. I want to end my career as a Boilermaker doing something special! #LetsPlayFootball pic.twitter.com/F0iR1wk7A1
— Markus Bailey (@mb_boiler21) January 6, 2019
Bailey was a second-team All-B1G selection this season after leading the Boilermakers with 115 tackles. He also registered nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Bailey’s biggest game of the season fittingly came in Purdue’s upset victory over Ohio State in late October. He tallied a season-high 15 stops and had a pick-six in the win.
Purdue’s defense struggled at times throughout the 2018 season due to plenty of youth and inexperience. Bailey was one of the veteran leaders on a young unit.
Bailey’s return gives the Boilermakers’ defense a huge boost headed into the offseason.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB