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WEST LAFAYETTE — Leland Smith was on Purdue football’s radar but ended up a late addition to the 2024 signing class.
Head coach Ryan Walters was impressed by receiver’s 6-foot-4 frame and blazing speed.
“He is one of probably the top-five fastest guys on the team,” Walters said.
Smith, who had 655 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in nine games last season at Fullerton College, went through college visits when looking for a school to transfer to. His final visit was to West Lafayette.
“I was glad I was able to see other schools before coming here just because the culture was unlike any other place I’d ever seen,” Smith said. “Understanding what is being built and the vision that they had for this program and being able to see it come to fruition every day as we continue to buy in as a whole team, and continue to put in the work day in and day out, and build that brotherhood and strive for greatness.”
More: Against Indiana State, Purdue football did exactly what it was supposed to do: Dominate
Smith was one of several names unfamiliar to Purdue fans who hadn’t been closely monitoring the football program since last season.
7 Purdue football players you didn’t know, but now you know
∎ We’ll start with Smith. The sophomore was one of seven players who scored his first touchdown in a Purdue uniform during Saturday’s 49-0 victory over Indiana State. His 31-yard touchdown catch was a thing of beauty. Then he blocked a punt, something special teams coordinator Chris Petrilli apparently predicted Friday night, to set up Purdue’s final touchdown.
Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Leland Smith (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, during the NCAA football game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 49-0.
∎ Kyndrich Breedlove. The…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-football-names-didnt-know-080247539.html
Author : Journal & Courier
Publish date : 2024-09-03 08:02:47
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