What Ryan Walters Said Following Purdue's Spring Game

Author:
Dustin Schutte
Apr 14, 2024

On Saturday, Purdue hit the field for the annual spring game. Though the Boiler Up team led for most of the scrimmage, it was the Hammer Down squad that posted the 17-13 victory at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Following Saturday's game, second-year coach Ryan Walters met with reporters to talk about his observations from the spring scrimmage, as well as other spring practices. Here's what he had to say.

On his general thoughts of the spring game ...

"I thought it was good. I thought the format allowed for a controlled environment where we kept guys healthy but still got good work and got to evaluate and see some things that we need to see in terms of in-game situations. In your home stadium, in front of a crowd, on TV, all of those things can add to the experience going into the fall."

On the play of the quarterbacks ...

"Yeah, we're trying to force feed Marcos (Davila) just to get him caught up, being fresh out of high school. Everybody got a chance to play today and I thought they did a good job of managing the offense. Gotta clean up some of the penalties, especially the pre-snap penalties and you don't want to turn the ball over, obviously. But I thought they operated within the framework of the system."

On the play of the receivers ...

"I thought they did a good job. Made a couple contested catches. We limited some — C.J. Smith we pulled after halftime, it was good to see him catch a few balls. And then our defense, they've improved. Definitely think we are better than we were a year ago, as we should be. There was good back-and-forth today."

On Kydran Jenkins playing linebacker ...

"I think he does a really good job there. I think him and Yanni (Karlaftis) complement each other. Just adds versatility and experience and allows us to be flexible on defense."

On the development of defensive end Will Heldt ...

"It's night and day. You always make that big jump between freshman and sophomore season and definitely thought he has done so, so far. He's every bit of 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds and is built like a grown man. He's still only 19 but looks like an adult. Looking forward to him playing like one this fall."

On how explosive receiver Jayden Dixon-Veal can be ...

"Hopefully very explosive. We've seen a lot of good things, a lot of growth from him this spring. A lot of growth out of a lot of guys in that room. So, we're excited about the receiver room."

On the success of Ben Freehill in the kicking game ...

"Yeah, he was 100% today, which is always awesome, but that was the only kicking we did."

On having Purdue football alumni back for the spring game ...

"They have set the foundation for this place. Purdue wouldn't be what it is from a football standpoint without the players who have worn the old gold and black. So, this is their home. The doors are always open for all the alumni to come back and be part of what we've got going on and we appreciate the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices they've poured into this place, because we get to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

On what's next for Purdue after the spring game ...

"That's what's next, right? To see what happens (with the transfer portal) on Tuesday with our team and other guys, as well. And we'll adjust and attack the situation and needs accordingly."