Purdue uniform additions part of staying current

To introduce the latest wardrobe addition to the Purdue football program, Darrell Hazell allowed former defensive star Keena Turner to inform current players.

That was before last week's spring game in which Turner unveiled the new white helmet.

"The eruption that the team had when we pulled out the helmets," Hazell said.

This is how the college football world works in 2015.

It's been going on for a few years, but the Boilermakers are catching up to one part of recruiting - flashy apparel. A white helmet with the train logo on one side and the player's number on the other side isn't flashy.

It is, however, different, and that's what the young kids are all about. Oregon and Nike started, it and everyone else is falling into line.

Hazell had cornerback Anthony Brown wear the program's new gray uniform during the April 11 jersey scrimmage. It was advance notice of what the Boilermakers will showcase in at least one game this season.

"It's important because it helps the morale of our football team. It helps in recruiting," Hazell said. "Some people get upset about going away from traditional colors. That's not what we're doing at all. We're trying to stay vogue with the times."

Hazell appreciates the history at Purdue, but it's become necessary to explore every avenue to energize the program.

"You have to do it," Hazell said. "We know who we are and we love who we are but that's not the point of it all."