By Kyle Charters
Asst. Sports Editor

With junior Akin Ayodele moving to linebacker for spring practice, redshirt freshman Shaun Phillips is getting increased time at defensive end.

"The more turns he gets, the better he is going to become," said defensive ends coach Gary Emanuel. "And we know what Akin can do as an end, so that's why we're giving Shaun an opportunity to play."

According to Emanuel, Phillips is progressing well while getting the increased practice time.

"He works extremely hard," he said. "He's very athletic. He'll be a kid that's going to get better as time goes on."

Because this is the first time Phillips has gotten extensive work with the first unit, he said he was a little nervous at first.

"I was questioning myself at the beginning — whether I was ready," said Phillips, a native of Willington, N.J. "I'm still not 100 percent ready. In my heart I'm ready but, in my body, I don’t think I'm ready.

"It's a little relief, though," he said. "Before, I was worried because I didn't know if I was going to play, if I was going to sit the bench or if I was going to be on the scout team. But so far, by the looks of it, I'm playing."

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Phillips thinks he is doing a pretty good job at his position on the right end of the defensive line.

"But there's a lot of stuff I need to work on too," he said. "I'm still young. I need to get in the weight room and learn a couple plays better."

Purdue coach Joe Tiller also thinks Phillips, like most young players, needs to increase his strength by working in the weight room. But Tiller said Phillips has a lot of potential because of the Boiler's height, range and quickness.

"He's got a good motor," said Tiller. "I think if you play defense and you've got a good motor and you play hard, you've got a chance to get on the field."

Not only does Phillips have a chance to get on the field, but he's also got a chance to secure a starting spot.

"I think a lot of whether or not he does or doesn't is going to depend on whether we leave Ayodele at linebacker or bring him back to end," said Tiller. "But his development is what also encouraged us to move Ayodele."

Even if Ayodele moves back to defensive end, Phillips should help provide depth at a position that had few experienced players last season. Last year Ayodele, who transferred from Coffeyville (Kan.) Junior College, led the Boilers with 11 sacks. Brian Dinkins had six sacks while starting on the other end of the line. Dinkins, a fifth-year senior, is back at left defensive end this year. And redshirt freshman Kevin Nesfield will provide valuable time as a backup.

With the added depth, Phillips said he's just happy to be on the field, whether he starts or not.

"If it's better with Akin at the end and me coming off the bench, then that'd be good for me too," said Phillips. "If Akin's at linebacker and I start, that'd be fine too. It doesn't matter as long as we win."