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Tennessee football vs. Purdue: Five Boilermakers to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 2, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm talks to quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) before the match against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm talks to quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) before the match against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end Payne Durham (87) makes the touchdown catch against the Connecticut Huskies in the first quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end Payne Durham (87) makes the touchdown catch against the Connecticut Huskies in the first quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Junior. Payne Durham. player. 848. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Tight end. 4

6’5″ 255 pounds

Opt outs and ineligibility has hit nowhere harder than the passing game for Purdue. Both of their top two receivers are out as a result. David Bell, who had 93 catches for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns, has opted out. Milton Wright, who had 57 catches for 732 yards and seven touchdowns, is not eligible.

That leaves Jackson Anthrop as the leading receiver. He has 48 catches for 496 yards and five touchdowns. However, Anthrop is no longer the most important player in the passing game. Payne Durhman has that title, and honestly, it’s not even close.

In just nine games this year, Durham has 40 catches for 382 yards and four touchdowns. He’s the perfect type of tight end Jeff Brohm can use to keep his methodical passing attack going even without two key guys. Look for him to get the bulk of the targets.

Josh Heupel and Tim Banks are probably working on who to guard with Bell and Wright out, but if they don’t focus on Durham, Tennessee football could be in for a long day. He may provide some matchup problems with the Vols, and if they aren’t careful, he could torch them throughout the game. They have to stop him.

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