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http://www.jconline.com/article/201...ller-s-return-boosts-Purdue-s-receiving-corps
Siller's return boosts Purdue's receiving corps
By MIKE CARMIN • [email protected] • May 16, 2010
Justin Siller played two seasons for St. Mary's (Mich.) High School, coach George Porritt wanted to utilize his talents elsewhere besides quarterback.
"I couldn't do it because I didn't have a guy who could throw it to him," Porritt said.
Now that the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Siller has rejoined Purdue's football program following his reinstatement to the university, coach Danny Hope won't have that problem.
Siller arrived in West Lafayette as a quarterback in 2007, but is expected to be listed as a receiver when fall camp starts in August.
The last time Siller was part of the program, he competed with Joey Elliott to be the starting quarterback during 2009 spring practice.
"We have a lot of time invested in all three of our quarterbacks," Hope said, referring to Robert Marve, Caleb TerBush and Rob Henry. "It's hard to get a fourth quarterback ready as a passing quarterback.
"I don't see a whole lot of time being spent on that part of his development. He provides some extra firepower to our offense."
Last spring, Siller was dismissed from the university for a violation of an academic policy. The Detroit native attended classes at Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette and also worked at Purdue in the maintenance department during the last 12 months.
Hope said Siller is enrolled in Purdue's Maymester session, which begins Monday.
"He was a heck of a student going into the incident," Hope said. "He lost some credit hours and worked hard to get caught up. He's in pretty good shape academically."
Porritt is convinced Siller, who has two years of eligibility remaining, will thrive at the receiver position.
"I think he's a great athlete and it's a matter of how quickly he can learn his route running," Porritt said.
Siller's athletic ability should blend in with current receivers Keith Smith, Cortez Smith, Antavian Edison and Gary Bush.
"He makes us a much stronger core," Hope said. "If he's as good as he was a year ago ... he could be a special player. He can really catch, he can run and make people miss. He's older now and a very special athlete.
(2 of 2)
"If we played this Saturday, I would try to get him on the field."
Leadership help
With only 15 seniors on the current roster, Hope believes Siller can aid the Boilermakers from a leadership standpoint.
"He's been through some things that other guys haven't been through, so his maturity will really help our football team," Hope said.
Bolden, Kerrigan updates
Running back Ralph Bolden underwent surgery May 5 to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
"It went very well," Hope said. "They feel like they have a way to keep them off their feet a little bit better with these types of surgeries. They have a great plan to help them recover quicker. He's already involved in some of the rehab part of it."
Hope said defensive end Ryan Kerrigan is not expected to need another surgery on his right foot. Kerrigan broke a bone in his foot in last year's season finale at Indiana, but re-injured the same foot in spring practice.
"The word is everything will be just fine," Hope said. "They have to pay a heck of a price to be ready to compete in the fall, but we'll have to be careful how we condition some of these guys and it's imperative we don't re-injure them. Ralph is a question but I think everybody else will be healthy."
This and that
Kerrigan has been selected the preseason National Defensive Performer of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards and a second-team All-American by NationalChamps.net. Kerrigan was previously named to the watch lists for the Lombardi Award and the Lott Trophy. ... Senior wide receiver Keith Smith was named a preseason honorable mention All-American by NationalChamps.net. ... Siller has a new number (No. 2), and so does receiver Antavian Edison (34 to 13), defensive end Gerald Gooden (97 to 2) and receiver Cortez Smith (81 to 7).
Siller's return boosts Purdue's receiving corps
By MIKE CARMIN • [email protected] • May 16, 2010
Justin Siller played two seasons for St. Mary's (Mich.) High School, coach George Porritt wanted to utilize his talents elsewhere besides quarterback.
"I couldn't do it because I didn't have a guy who could throw it to him," Porritt said.
Now that the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Siller has rejoined Purdue's football program following his reinstatement to the university, coach Danny Hope won't have that problem.
Siller arrived in West Lafayette as a quarterback in 2007, but is expected to be listed as a receiver when fall camp starts in August.
The last time Siller was part of the program, he competed with Joey Elliott to be the starting quarterback during 2009 spring practice.
"We have a lot of time invested in all three of our quarterbacks," Hope said, referring to Robert Marve, Caleb TerBush and Rob Henry. "It's hard to get a fourth quarterback ready as a passing quarterback.
"I don't see a whole lot of time being spent on that part of his development. He provides some extra firepower to our offense."
Last spring, Siller was dismissed from the university for a violation of an academic policy. The Detroit native attended classes at Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette and also worked at Purdue in the maintenance department during the last 12 months.
Hope said Siller is enrolled in Purdue's Maymester session, which begins Monday.
"He was a heck of a student going into the incident," Hope said. "He lost some credit hours and worked hard to get caught up. He's in pretty good shape academically."
Porritt is convinced Siller, who has two years of eligibility remaining, will thrive at the receiver position.
"I think he's a great athlete and it's a matter of how quickly he can learn his route running," Porritt said.
Siller's athletic ability should blend in with current receivers Keith Smith, Cortez Smith, Antavian Edison and Gary Bush.
"He makes us a much stronger core," Hope said. "If he's as good as he was a year ago ... he could be a special player. He can really catch, he can run and make people miss. He's older now and a very special athlete.
(2 of 2)
"If we played this Saturday, I would try to get him on the field."
Leadership help
With only 15 seniors on the current roster, Hope believes Siller can aid the Boilermakers from a leadership standpoint.
"He's been through some things that other guys haven't been through, so his maturity will really help our football team," Hope said.
Bolden, Kerrigan updates
Running back Ralph Bolden underwent surgery May 5 to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
"It went very well," Hope said. "They feel like they have a way to keep them off their feet a little bit better with these types of surgeries. They have a great plan to help them recover quicker. He's already involved in some of the rehab part of it."
Hope said defensive end Ryan Kerrigan is not expected to need another surgery on his right foot. Kerrigan broke a bone in his foot in last year's season finale at Indiana, but re-injured the same foot in spring practice.
"The word is everything will be just fine," Hope said. "They have to pay a heck of a price to be ready to compete in the fall, but we'll have to be careful how we condition some of these guys and it's imperative we don't re-injure them. Ralph is a question but I think everybody else will be healthy."
This and that
Kerrigan has been selected the preseason National Defensive Performer of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards and a second-team All-American by NationalChamps.net. Kerrigan was previously named to the watch lists for the Lombardi Award and the Lott Trophy. ... Senior wide receiver Keith Smith was named a preseason honorable mention All-American by NationalChamps.net. ... Siller has a new number (No. 2), and so does receiver Antavian Edison (34 to 13), defensive end Gerald Gooden (97 to 2) and receiver Cortez Smith (81 to 7).
