Purdue names freshman Danny Etling as starting QB

The writing was on the wall after their backup quarterback moved the ball considerably better than the starter during a loss to Northern Illinois on Saturday, but on Tuesday, Purdue officially made a change at the quarterback position.

According to multiple reports, the team will move to freshman Danny Etling as their starter, and in conjunction with that move, they will shift their previous starter, Rob Henry, to the safety position. Obviously, that is a lot to tackle in one announcement, but that’s why we’re here.

Etling was less than effective against the NIU Huskies on Saturday, going just 19 for 39 through the air with as many interceptions (2) as touchdowns (2), but that was apparently enough to facilitate a move toward the future. The 6-foot-3 freshman is much, much more talented than the incumbent starter, and with this season nearing the point of a wash at 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the Big 10, it was time.

The more intriguing move is that of Henry, who has thrown 351 passes in his career, moving to safety. Admittedly, the secondary is a point of considerable concern (to put it mildly) in West Lafayette, but moving a starting QB to defense in the middle of the regular season isn’t something that you see everyday at a major college football program. Alas, you have to assume that the 6-foot-2 senior had to be consulted about the move, and it may be his best option of getting on the field in the near future.

It was anything but a normal day at Purdue, but in the end, there’s a new regime in place under center.