Jack Plummer will keep 'stealing reps' as Purdue football sorts out its quarterback battle

Jack Plummer didn't win the starting job he sought this summer.

That's not to say he lost anything. Not his love of the game. Not his competitive fire. Not his belief in himself that he should be the guy taking the first snaps for Purdue football.

Plummer played well enough in training camp to avoid losing his job to true freshman Brady Allen.

But Allen has taken the majority of the first-team reps since returning from an injury last month, and coach Jeff Brohm said Monday that Plummer is still the No. 2 quarterback, and likely will be when the Boilermakers open the season at home Saturday against Penn State.

Considering Allen missed virtually all of August with an unspecified injury and was playing with the second- and third-teamers when healthy, it's a strong statement about the strides the Carmel native made in a short period of time.

Regardless, Plummer has approached this season like he would any other. He's studying the game plan like a hawk, watching extra film and trying to establish himself as a leader in the quarterback room and on the offense as a whole.

"I think you've got to prepare like you're the guy," Plummer said.

Plummer began his Purdue career in 2019 as a three-star recruit.

He redshirted his first season, then played in six games in 2020, starting once. Last season, he was named the starter and started the first nine games before being injured. He missed the final three games, with Aidan O'Connell taking over the starting role.

So where does that leave Plummer now?

"His value to our football team is really, really high," Brohm said. "He can make plays with his legs, he can make plays with his arm and he understands our offense inside and out."

With Allen taking the majority of the first-team reps, Plummer is getting less work with the starters. But he's still getting valuable experience as the No. 2 quarterback. He's learning from Allen and O'Connell, and he's getting more reps in practice than he would if he were the third-string quarterback.

"I think it's a good opportunity for me to learn from those guys and just continue to get better," Plummer said.

Plummer knows that he could be called upon to start at any time. Allen is a true freshman, and O'Connell has had his own injury issues. Plummer is preparing himself to be ready if that happens.

"I think I'm ready to play," Plummer said. "I'm confident in my abilities, and I'm just trying to get better every day."

Plummer's attitude is a credit to his character. He's not pouting or complaining about his current situation. He's simply working hard and preparing himself to be ready when his number is called.

"He's a great kid," Brohm said. "He's a hard worker. He's got a great attitude. He's a winner. He's a competitor. And he's going to be a great player for us."