Top 10 Important Players/Units for Purdue Football

Over the next two weeks I’ll be unveiling the Top 10 most important players or units for a successful football season. Keep in mind it’s not necessarily the ten best players, but more of who needs to perform to have a a good year. Last year the Boilers made it back to a bowl game and won, bringing some momentum into this season.

10) Raheem Mostert

The versatile sophomore burst on to the scene  last year bringing excitement to special teams. He led the nation in kickoff return average last year and has been named to the 2012 Jet Award Watch List for the top returner in college football. Every kickoff, fans would wait to see if Mostert would bring it back for a touchdown. Eventually he reached that goal in the Little Caesers Pizza Bowl. One thing that showed was how much he enjoyed being on the field, even if it was just special teams for the most part. In a couple games last year he also lined up at running back.

Mostert will be taking on some more responsibility this year. He will assuredly be back at kick returner and now he will have wide receiver duties added. Even though he didn’t line up there last year, this is where he best fits. Mostert will be able to utilize his speed in the slot position and bring some big play ability with his knack for finding holes to run through. You can also expect him to line up at running back for some plays with Ralph Bolden still recovering from his third ACL tear, as well as Doug Gentry recently deciding to transfer.

Mostert will be the main anchor of the whole special teams unit(along with punter Cody Webster, the eldest on special teams). With some of the troubles the offense had last year, especially with offensive line penalties, it will be imperative that Mostert is able to get good field position. Look for him to have another great year. He has the attitude and the drive to always want to improve, and I expect that to happen.