WEST LAFAYETTE − Day one of year two feels a lot different.
Ryan Walters is fully established in his role as Purdue football head coach.
Most of the players already have a feel for the operation and expectation of the coaching staff, which remained largely in tact from last season.
Tuesday, the first day of spring football for the Boilermakers, was a seamless transition from the offseason.
“It’s a night and day difference,” Walters said. “You know the roster. You know what you are trying to accomplish. You’re not trying to figure things out. … We’re in a much more, I don’t want to say comfortable, but a much more educated place.”
More: Purdue football recruiting class 2024: Meet Boilermakers’ early signees
Sure, some things have changed, too.
Here’s a few notable storylines as spring season gets underway.
Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) passes the ball during Purdue football practice, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Mollenkopf Athletic Center in West Lafayette, Ind.
Hudson Card’s development
The challenge last season was just to get through it for Purdue quarterback Hudson Card.
He did miss one game, at Northwestern, but otherwise gutted through rib and shoulder injuries in his first season after transferring from Texas.
More: How Purdue football’s Hudson Card played through injury to beat Indiana
Walters said Card has beefed up from 190 pounds a year ago to 212 currently.
“Obviously I was a little bit banged up last year, so just trying to put more weight on so I can take those hits and be able to sustain them,” Card said. “That’s been a big part of my offseason is just try to put on some pounds and be durable.”
By all accounts, Card is much more comfortable entering his second spring at Purdue.
Beefing up the O-line
The biggest position of need after last season was offensive line. Purdue had a solid base with…
..
