Purdue football: Five things to watch in Saturday’s scrimmage

With Purdue’s spring practice reaching its conclusion, Saturday’s jersey scrimmage (9;45 a.m.) will provide an evaluation where the Boilermakers stand with one week remaining.

Five things to watch:

Quarterback

Austin Appleby has the No. 1 spot, as of now. Danny Etling and David Blough continue to take snaps with the No. 1 offense, but Appleby remains the frontrunner. Can Etling or Blough make a push in the scrimmage?

They’ll have to avoid turnovers and mistakes, but Appleby can’t take a step backward.

The quarterbacks will be live during at least one series, Darrell Hazell said.

Safety

This is one position Hazell plans to watch closely.

Robert Gregory left Tuesday’s practice with a knee injury, but Hazell said Thursday that an MRI revealed a bone bruise. Gregory and Leroy Clark, who moved from cornerback, are working with the first team.

“I want to see how those guys play at safety,” Hazell said. “I think the corners will be fine once it’s all said and done, but I want to see how the safeties come up and hit and tackle.”

Can redshirt freshmen Brandon Roberts and Tim Cason move up the depth chart if they perform well?

Offensive line

The right tackle position has seen its share of new faces, including guard Jordan Roos on Thursday.

Roos, who started at guard last season, took snaps at right tackle as Martesse Patterson moved inside. Redshirt freshman Kirk Barron also worked with the No. 1 offense at right guard. Barron is the backup center.

“We’re just trying to move him and Martesse around, both inside and outside,” Hazell said. “You’re going to see Kirk Barron play some right guard Saturday. We’re just trying to find every option.”

Redshirt freshman Bearooz Yacobbi began practice at right tackle, filling in for J.J. Prince and Cameron Cermin, both of whom are out with shoulder injuries. Patterson remains high on Darrell Hazell’s radar and will compete for playing time.

“You watch Martesse – and he’s going to be one of our better players when it’s all said and done upfront,” Hazell said. “He’s just really, really good - quick, powerful and probably the strongest guy up there.”

Receivers

With Danny Anthrop out, we’re still waiting for someone to emerge.

DeAngelo Yancey says he’s ready to bounce back from last season’s performance, and the Boilermakers need the junior to be a downfield threat. Gregory Phillips and Trae Hart are using the experience they gained last season. Cameron Posey has quietly enjoyed a good spring and Bilal Marshall has shown some promise, but needs to stay healthy.

Running backs

Keyante Green and D.J. Knox have the inside track at the top spot, but Knox may not play in the scrimmage.

Knox didn’t practice Thursday since he’s not been completely cleared after absorbing a hit during a drill last week.

“Not sure if we’ll have him. I wish we did,” Hazell said.

That leaves Green as the top running back for the scrimmage with Keith Byars II, David Yancey and Markell Jones working with the second and third team.

Pass protection remains a big emphasis in practice and could very well determines who sees a bulk of the playing time.