Two weeks until kick and we’ve got a double feature at 14. It’s not often a linebacker and quarterback share a number.
Jake Wilson
Redshirt Freshman
Trophy Club, Texas (Byron Nelson High School)
Quarterback
6’2”, 190
2024 Projection: Deep Depth at Quarterback
Wilson put up video game numbers for Byron Nelson in high school, throwing for 4,100 yards and 50 TDs while being picked off only 4 times as a senior. He’s also a capable runner, putting up over 400 yards and 8 TDs the same season. He’s a preferred walk-on at Purdue and doesn’t necessarily have the physical tools to start in the Big10, but should make one heck of a scout team quarterback, and that contribution shouldn’t be discounted.
Yanni Karlaftis
Redshirt Junior
West Lafayette, Indiana (West Lafayette High School)
Linebacker
6’3”, 235
2024 Projection: Starting Middle Linebacker
West Lafayette’s own finally stayed healthy and hit the field with a vengeance during the second half of the schedule last season. The previous staff wasn’t sure what to do with Yanni, moving him back and forth between linebacker positions. This staff stuck him at middle linebacker after O.J. Brothers went down, and didn’t look back.
His debut season wasn’t all sunshine and roses. It took him a couple games to consistently stay with the speed of play, and he was still late to assignment on occasion. None of that is particularly concerning because last season was his impactful season since his junior year of high school. He tore his hamstring before the start of his senior season in high school and has only seen spot duty the previous 3 seasons. A little rust was expected, and it showed up on film.
Still, his physical tools are elite. He was a 4* prospect for a reason and hasn’t lost any of the athletic ability. When he’s confident in his read and flows to the ball, he’s a devastating tackler capable of stopping a ball carrier in his tracks. He’s also solid in coverage and should be significantly better this year with a better grasp on the defense.
It took a little longer than expected (I’m sure Yanni shares that sentiment) but George’s little brother is all grown up and about to flex on the Big10.