What to watch for in Purdue's spring football game at Ross-Ade Stadium

WEST LAFAYETTE – How many snaps should Aidan O’Connell take?

Will a running back stand out? How many positions will Tyrone Tracy play? Are there enough healthy cornerbacks to get Purdue through the final workout of the spring?

While it's labeled a spring game, it will feel more like winter with temperatures around 40 degrees and a few flurries and snow showers hanging around. Bring the coats, the hand warmers and hot chocolate.

The scoring format will follow the 2019 game where the offense will have traditional scoring and the defense will earn points based on specific stops.

What to watch for in Saturday’s spring game at Ross-Ade Stadium:

QB REPS

O’Connell has already been tabbed the starter for the Sept. 1 opener against Penn State and doesn’t have anything left to prove. He can continue to make improvements, but this isn’t the setting where the second-team All-Big Ten selection will take a big step forward.

A handful of his top receivers are out, and he doesn’t need a confidence boost picking apart a depleted secondary. Let O’Connell take a snap or two and put him on the sideline to conduct interviews on BTN or sign autographs for NIL money. Better yet – let O’Connell interview coach Jeff Brohm during the game.

The quarterback drama centers around the backup heading into the 2022 season. Austin Burton, Michael Alaimo and Brady Allen need to receive a majority of the snaps. No decision is going to be made based on the spring game but the more experience the better for all three.

ON THE RUN

The running back position seems to be always short on numbers. This spring is no different.

King Doerue tops the depth chart likely followed by Samson James, a transfer from Indiana who sat out last season, and walk-on Devin Mockobee. Dylan Downing is out with an injury and that’s it for now.

ADDITION: Kent State OL Daniel Johnson announces transfer to Purdue

Brohm and his staff are working to find a running back in the portal, but it won’t help lighten the load for Saturday. Mockobee has been a workhorse the first 14 practices and could become the centerpiece of Saturday’s game as the Boilermakers look to avoid an injury to Doerue and James.

MOVING AROUND

Tracy, a transfer from Iowa, has showcased his versatility over the last five weeks. Playing receiver is his No. 1 job, but the Decatur Central graduate can line up in the backfield and become a playmaker with the ball in his hands.

Don’t look for Brohm to showcase Tracy too much since 2022 opponents will be watching but he’s clearly demonstrated that his skillset will be a big part of the offense in the fall.

It’s important Tracy settle in at receiver since that’s his primary position but why not have some fun Saturday.

CORNERBACK DEPTH

Is there any?

Depleted is an understatement when it comes to the position. The coaching staff sent walk-on quarterbacks out to defend receivers during the last couple of weeks just to have bodies.

Curious if those same quarterbacks line up on defense Saturday.

Transfers Reese Taylor and Bryce Hampton appear to be healthy but that’s about it. They can’t hold up the entire game, even with a running clock – we hope – in the second half. Taylor and Hampton will challenge for a starting spot and will see plenty of action this fall.

DL NUMBERS

While the cornerbacks are short on depth, the defensive line has plenty. Assistant Mark Hagen probably wants more but that’s what every coach prefers.

The Boilermakers are expected to have enough to rotate three different groups when the season starts, barring any injuries during the summer and preseason practices. Hagen won’t have a full depth chart to work with Saturday since tackle Lawrence Johnson remains out and Branson Deen should see limited action since he’s a projected starter.

But there are plenty of others Hagen can rotate in through the game and push the offensive line to show improvement.

Roster note: Punter Zac Collins is no longer with the program.

Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc

SATURDAY'S SPRING GAME

At Ross-Ade Stadium

Time: Noon

TV: BTN

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football | spring game | Jeff Brohm