Ohio defensive end on a major camp tour

Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City, Ohio has just 655 students enrolled, and as such does not see as many college football coaches stream through their front doors in the spring as fellow Buckeye State powers Cleveland Glenville, Massillon Washington or Cincinnati Moeller.

Jonathan Alder defensive end prospect Brandon Purdum knows that he has to rely on summer camps to gain the exposure prospects at the bigger schools enjoy, and so he is embarking on an ambitious camp tour this month.

"I went to Michigan [Saturday] and the next day I went to OU [Ohio University]," Purdum reported. "Wednesday I think I am going to Ball State, Thursday I am going to Purdue in the morning and Toledo at night. Friday I am going to Indiana and then on Saturday I am going to Cincinnati. Then I am doing the three-day camp and the senior day at OSU."

Purdum knows the amount of energy he will exert this week at all of these camps, but he expects his body to hold up just fine. His goal at each camp he attends is to not get outworked, and he felt that was accomplished this past weekend at Michigan and Ohio.

"I go hard every play, I hustle even to a water break and I'm not going to be pushed around," Purdum said. "I could have done better on some points, but I felt I left a mark and that was what I was going for."

The 6-4, 240-pound Purdum is hoping to earn his first scholarship offer of the recruiting process via these summer camps. He has generated some interest after his junior season and saw several MAC coaches in his school during the spring, but is still waiting on that first offer.

"Toledo is showing me the most attention. They called me and have been coming to my school and talking to me," Purdum said. "Ball State has called me and is trying to get me down there and OU has came to the school. I still get letters from Purdue and all the big schools."

Although a small school in terms of enrollment, Jonathan Alder already has a history of producing Division 1 prospects. Former Ohio State standout Donnie Nickey hails from Jonathan Alder and defensive tackle Josh Davis signed with Purdue in the Class of 2010.

Purdum has been a starter for Jonathan Alder since his sophomore season. As a junior he earned first team all-district and special mention all-Ohio honors for his play.

"I played anywhere they needed me to," Purdum reported. "I was originally a linebacker and one of our d-tackles unfortunately went out with a knee injury, so I had to cover his position. If they needed a pass rusher, sometimes I would go in at d-end. I have played offensive left tackle since my sophomore year."