Purdue’s senior cornerbacks pushing each other

At the end of Monday afternoon’s practice, Frankie Williams blocked a field goal attempt.

Moments later, Anthony Brown tipped another field goal try.

Those plays fall into the category secondary coach Taver Johnson calls Superman plays. It’s just part of what Johnson and the Purdue defense is going to need from the senior cornerbacks this season.

“We need those guys to do what they’re supposed to do and get themselves in positions and make the makeable plays,” Johnson said. “We’re going to ask them – really, a lot of times – every week to put a cape on. We’re going to need some of those Superman plays that can propel us.”

Brown and Williams can easily provide those types of plays. They’re experienced, they’re skilled and they bring the right mindset, not only to the secondary but to special teams.

More importantly, they want to be the best.

“I feel like I should be the best,” Williams said. “If I see him doing good, I have to step my game up.”

If Williams wants to be the best, Brown is right there.

“I bring out the best of my teammates and they bring out the best in me,” Brown said. “We talk before practice to see who’s going to get the most turnovers, who’s going to make the most plays. So far, I’ve got the most turnovers in all of camp and we’re going to keep pushing.”

They definitely push each other. If one collects an interception, the other is determined to add a turnover to their training camp total.

“The other day in one-on-one he got a pick and I felt like I could’ve got a pick before. I had to do what I had to do on the next play to get one,” Williams said.

Brown has produced the most game-changing plays in practice.

Monday’s blocked field goal was his fifth in camp to go along with numerous tipped passes and turnovers. Williams has made his share of big plays, both in the secondary and on special teams, including in the return game.

“They are already playing at a high level and we have to make sure that we don’t slow them down in terms of wearing them out,” coach Darrell Hazell said. “That’s the biggest thing with those two. They’re special. They can do it all – they can cover, they can tackle.”

Brown has started 22 consecutive games – the longest active streak on the defense and ranks second behind center Robert Kugler’s 31 in a row. Williams has made 27 starts, but missed one game last season because of a concussion. The pair has combined to play in 70 games over the last three seasons.

Williams earned second-team All-Big Ten honors last season but Brown remains relatively unknown outside of Purdue’s program.

“If you have a mindset to make the plays, it’s going to happen. I’ve had that mindset all my life,” Brown said. “It’s just starting to show. I feel like I’m one of the most underrated corners in the nation. I’m going to let my play do the talking.

“I don’t get the buzz like everybody else but it’s OK. I know what I can do. I know what I’m capable of. We win some games and things might change.”

Williams missed all of spring practice after having bone spurs removed from his ankle. He could’ve participated in practice, but elected to have the procedure done in order to be ready for the 2015 season.

Although Williams wasn’t on the field, he was active from a mental standpoint – a first for him.

“I never understood it but when you’re not hurt you don’t understand when a coach says, ‘Get mental reps, get mental reps,’ ” Williams said. “I understand that now and I feel like this is where I need to be.”

Where Brown and Williams are needed is making plays to help the program shift the losing seasons into winning ones.

“The thing about it is those two guys have been through the wars, not only on the field but in the classroom,” said Johnson, now in his second season coaching the secondary. “They persevered through a lot. They’ve been through a lot of changes since they’ve been here. They’re seasoned guys. They’re going to be the concrete blocks.”

Upcoming Purdue practice schedule

Tuesday: 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: 10:15 a.m.

Saturday: 11:15 a.m. (jersey scrimmage)