Purdue receives commitment
from Texas tight end
By Keith Thomas
Editor
in Chief
Joe Tiller really likes quarterbacks.
With the verbal commitment of Colleyville, Texas
native Chad Baca as a Boilermaker tight end for the 2002 season, Purdue's
verbal commitment total has now reached four — three of which are
quarterbacks in one way or another.
Baca, a 6-foot-4, 225 pounder who played tight
end for Heritage High School last season, is likely to play a little
quarterback for this, his senior campaign.
"(Baca) played tight end for us, but he could easily
play wide receiver for us this next year and the other position that
he looks great at is quarterback," said Chris Cunningham, Heritage High
School's head coach. "If something happens to our other kid that's starting
(at quarterback), then (Baca) will be in the re. He's got a tremendous
arm; he throws the ball real well."
Despite his strong throwing arm — Baca is
a pitcher for the varsity baseball team as well — he will likely
show his best ability for the Boilermakers as a tight end.
"He gives you a good sized kid, but one that can
run well too," Cunningham said. "I can't remember a time he's dropped
a football; he catches everything they throw at him."
Becoming a tight end for the Boilermakers will
come with some high expectations for Baca, who will be one of the guys
trying to replace senior Tim Stratton, who won the Mackey Award last
year as a junior for the country's top tight end.
But, it’s for that very reason that Baca decided
to become a Boiler.
"That's one of the main reasons I committed," Baca
was quoted on Gold and Black Illustrated's Web site. "Purdue's going
to need tight ends, and that's definitely my style of offense, passing
the ball, running routes and getting open."
Considering Tiller has already received verbal
commitments from two quarterbacks — highly touted Brandon Kirsch
of Lebanon, Penn., and Chad Schroeder of Austin, Texas — Baca will
simply try to give the Boilermakers another pair of hands.
Baca, who averaged 11 yards per catch last year,
was also being recruited by a handful of other schools including Oklahoma
and Texas A&M.
Another athletic, multi-talented player for Tiller's
class of 2002, Schroeder, who plays at the same Westlake High School
that produced former Boilermaker Drew Brees, might play some wide receiver
this year.
Cunningham said that although Brees, the Big Ten's
all-time leading passer, has left for sunny San Diego to play in the
NFL, there will still always be someone in Tiller's offense to toss
the pigskin.
"I told Chad not to worry about that; he's going
to get the ball thrown at him," said Cunningham. "As a receiver or a
quarterback, I can't think of a better place to be."
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