2011’s 10 Most Important Purdue Football Players: #6

The Boiling Point: Purdue’s Ken Plue checks in at No. 6 of TheBoilingPoint.com’s list of most important football players for the upcoming season.

No. 6 Ken Plue
Year: Senior
Position: Guard
Number: 73
Key stat: 29- starts out of a possible 36 in his first three years at Purdue.
Analysis: Plue is one the most experienced offensive lineman on the team. The 6-foot-7 behemoth is also, arguably, the most talented. With Robert Marve, Ralph Bolden and half of Purdue’s wide receivers returning from injuries, Plue will be a key cog in the offense to offer some stability. Plue has been named to the Outland Trophy watch list which goes to the best interior lineman regardless if they are on offense or defense.

What could be holding him back is some of the trouble Plue has run into with the coaching staff starting in the spring. Purdue coach Danny Hope said there were academic issues, as well as maturity issues. Thinking about the Boilers trying to fill Plue’s hole on the line is enough to justify Plue’s place on this list. With his talent and experience he can turn a line that is average without him to one that can be pretty good with him.

This is part of a daily series that will continue with No. 5 on Tuesday. Again, these are the most IMPORTANT players for this upcoming season, not necessarily best. Make sure to check back to follow the list. Also, do you agree or disagree? Let us hear your thoughts.

Complete list
No. 10 Carson Wiggs
No. 9 Akeem Shavers
No. 8 Dwayne Beckford
No. 7 Ricardo Allen
No. 6 Ken Plue