Purdue Gets QB Commit

The Boiling Point: Ohio QB Austin Appleby committed to Purdue on Wednesday.

Purdue got its much-needed verbal commitment from a quarterback for the 2012 recruiting class on Wednesday. Six-foot-5, 230-pound Austin Appleby made his second trip to West Lafayette on Wednesday, three weeks after getting an offer from the Boilers, and committed to coach Danny Hope. The Ohio QB had planned on playing his recruitment out a bit, but Purdue changed his mind

"“I’ve been to 19 places, believe it or not, since the fall on unofficial visits and camps,” Appleby said on his way home from Purdue to GoldandBlackIllustrated.com. “People think we’re crazy, but Purdue just really stuck out. It’s a world-class education; there’s not too many places that can beat Purdue. And from a scheme standpoint, it’s exactly what I love.”"

Appleby, who becomes the sixth verbal for the 2012 class, had double-digit offers, including Louisville. He did suffer an ACL injury late last season, which is why Purdue waited to offer until Appleby made it to West Lafayette. Once Hope & Co. saw the knee had healed just fine, the offer came.

"“I did my thing and impressed the coaches,” he told GoldandBlackIllustrated.com. “I got it all check out and was good to go.“Coach Hope and Coach (Gary) Nord both said that they want me bad. I was their guy from the beginning and it took a camp to confirm it. They said I’ve always been their No. 1 and they are ecstatic as much as I am. It’s been the complete package; this is the best place for me.”"

Before getting injured, Appleby passed for 1,426 yards and 14 TDs, completing 51 percent of his passes. The three-star QB is a pro-style type with some mobility.

A QB commitment that had an injury before his senior year of high school that’s out to prove some people wrong; remind you of a former Boiler legend? Purdue now has addressed two of its biggest needs for the 2012 class with a QB and two kickers. The next big concern is adding offensive linemen.