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TE transfer from Purdue coming to Western Michigan.

Yes, but he was just a walk-on at Purdue.

True TEs are hard to come by. A lot of colleges don't recruit them even if they can find them. Easier to use 10 personnel (one RB, no TE).

Ernsberger for example was a RB in HS.

But if you can find one who can block in line a little and get open-catch can make big difference in your offense.

Got nothing to lose with Buckman, maybe a lot to gain.

Information about prospect of playing time at Purdue for his freshman year:

Wade Buckman – Fr. (RS)

Holland, MI (Holland HS)

6’6”, 232 pounds

Tight End

2017 Projection: Possible contributor at tight end

While Cole Herdman and Brycen Hopkins have the top two spots on the depth chart locked down at tight end, Buckman had a solid spring to earn some favor with the coaches. He got quite a few snaps in the spring game and even caught three passes for 47 yards. Considering how much the offense struggled in the spring, those are good numbers.

Buckman was originally a quarterback at Holland HS in Michigan. Here is what his hometown paper had to say about him:

“But then Purdue came along, and we went there and visited, and it was everything I wanted. It is closer to home, and it isn't a nine-hour drive like Minnesota would be. It seemed like the perfect match for me. That’s what made my decision. It is close to home, it is a Big Ten school and I have a great opportunity to play there. It was a tough decision, but I’m happy with the decision I made.”
He was recruited as a quarterback or tight end, but it appears he has made a home at TE.

You can't teach size, and TE is a position of need for us.

We did just sign Torres and Payton, both of whom had legit P5 offers. Looks like the staff is making a real push towards incorporating the TE into the offense more?

If he's not on scholarship, then great. Like MajorHoople said, nothing to lose, maybe a lot to gain.

Do we know if he’s on scholarship? It would seem odd for him to walk-on at WMU and leave Purdue.

Only reason I ask is because if we did offer him, that would mean we’re either 1) out of scholarships 2) someone bolted, or 3) we aren’t getting either of those QB’s we were targeting and holding the last spot for.

(01-07-2018 08:07 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Do we know if he’s on scholarship? It would seem odd for him to walk-on at WMU and leave Purdue.

Only reason I ask is because if we did offer him, that would mean we’re either 1) out of scholarships 2) someone bolted, or 3) we aren’t getting either of those QB’s we were targeting and holding the last spot for.

Rodney Graves just left the program. Maybe that opened a spot. Graves was a two star member of Flecks 2016 class and sounds like he left due to playing time potential.

https://twitter.com/rgraves_1/status/949724880974614528

Tweet regarding the above Rodney Graves departure...

I’d assume Buckman is either on scholy now, or has a path to one explained to him.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Buckman!

Pleased to have you in Kalamazoo representing our great university!

Hope your experience is everything you are looking for and more.

Best wishes!

Our offense declined after Ledbetter graduated and Cubit had a tough time finding a new dynamic TE. It had been a position of strength for us as long as I have followed the team, and then it hasn't been since. Ernsberger was a great blocker for us, but I would not call him dynamic in the passing game.

Between this new guy and the freshmen and a couple of returning good players, hopefully we have a real answer there.

I remember in 2007 when we had Anthony Middleton for a brief stretch and how he just OWNED Iowa in the redzone on the road... He was probably our best pass catching TE I've seen at WMU since... Too bad he washed out due to grades and attitude... Here's hoping we find another talent like that going forward...

(01-08-2018 10:29 AM)flushtheherd Wrote:  I remember in 2007 when we had Anthony Middleton for a brief stretch and how he just OWNED Iowa in the redzone on the road... He was probably our best pass catching TE I've seen at WMU since... Too bad he washed out due to grades and attitude... Here's hoping we find another talent like that going forward...

Watched him at several practices. He was a physical specimen. Potentially could have made it to the NFL. Unfortunately, dumb as dirt in terms of life decisions. Ladies and parties were his priority.

Redshirt FR. So he played this year and has to sit another year out?