It was a really rough go for the Purdue Boilermakers and first year coach Darrell Hazell. The 1-11 record accurately tells the story of the season. However, we have some good news for a couple of Boilers, specifically, the two selected to play in the East-West Shrine game.
Cornerback Ricardo Allen and DT Bruce Gaston were picked for the college football All-Star game and they are the two Purdue Boilermakers likely to make an NFL roster next fall.
ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. thinks both can ball on Sundays. I was on his conference call the other day and this is what he said about the two Purdue Boilermakers:
“Gaston more so, it’s a decent group of 2nd and 3rd tier tackles, he’s in that third tier. Fourth, fifth round area, maybe as high as the third if he has good pro day workouts. I’d like to see more consistency out of him, he’s got talent, he has flashes.”
“Allen has been there since day one as a freshman, I can see him as a dime guy, fourth or fifth corner, possibly making a roster as an undrafted, priority free agent.”
Allen was named the Purdue Boilermakers defensive MVP at the postseason banquet. He ended his career with 13 career interceptions, including returning a school-record five for touchdowns. His 13 interceptions are the second most in school history.
Gaston, a defensive tackle, had 48 tackles and led the Purdue Boilermakers in tackles for loss (seven) and sacks (three).
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An MBA and Fulbright scholar, he’s also a frequent analyst on news talk radio; with regular segments on ESPN,NBC, CBS and Fox. A former NBC Chicago and Washington Times writer, he’s also been featured on the History Channel. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)