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From pass thrower to pass catcher? Purdue QB is trying out TE position

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

Purdue redshirt freshman Paul Piferi wants to get on the field. And if he can’t do so at quarterback, he’s willing to see if another position is a better fit.

According to Tom Dienhart of Gold and Black Illustrated, Piferi, who’s been listed as a quarterback for the Boilermakers, is getting some work at the tight end position during fall camp. Wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard confirmed that news to Dienhart on Tuesday.

Piferi certainly has the build to be a tight end for the Boilermakers. The redshirt freshman stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds, so his frame would fit in well at the position. Whether or not he’ll be able to carve out a role at that spot is yet to be seen.

Last season was Piferi’s first in West Lafayette, and even though Purdue went through quite a few quarterbacks last season, he wasn’t able to get on the field. He was behind Elijah Sindelar, Jack Plummer and Aidan O’Connell on the depth chart, and would likely be the fourth-string guy again this fall.

But, if Piferi can get onto the field as a tight end, he’s all for it.

We’ll see if Piferi is able to get some work at the tight end position during Purdue’s first game of the season in a few weeks, when the Boilers open the season against Iowa on Oct. 24.

Dustin Schutte

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