Purdue's Kewann Short finds inspiration in former Boilermakers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Kewann Short recently watched tape of some of Purdue's best defensive linemen and found inspiration.

Short, a junior Purdue defensive tackle, saw more than just the plays Ryan Kerrigan, Mike Neal and Cliff Avril made on a consistent basis. Short sat back and observed how hard each of those players competed on every down. That left him with an impression as he reflected about his own play.

"I watched (Kerrigan) on film, and he never took a play off," Short said. "That's what I'm trying to do now and just trying to get that dominant mindset and go out and give it my all."

Short took in the lessons from those videos as he watched lowlights from Purdue's 62-17 loss at Wisconsin on Nov. 5. He had two tackles, including one for loss, but the Badgers ran roughshod over the Boilermakers. Wisconsin rolled up 364 yards rushing, and much of it was because of Short's poor performance.

Short internalized the results of that game and received a quote from linebackers coach Phil Elmassian that sharpened his focus.

"I've had an up-and-down season, and I had a down two weeks ago when we played Wisconsin," Short said. "That was my worst game ever I felt. Coach Elmassian gave me a quote that every time good players never play bad. If I want to good player, that day should never come across you. It just reiterated that in my mind."

Short renewed his focus last week while preparing for Ohio State. He applied that mindset physically against the Buckeyes, getting three sacks and six overall tackles in a 26-23 Purdue overtime upset. Short was named the Big Ten's co-defensive player of the week. It was the second time this year Short had earned the award.

Short, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 310 pounds, has 15.5 tackles for loss this season, including 6.5 sacks. But he has a long way to go to greatness, Purdue Coach Danny Hope said after Saturday's game.

"I still don't think he's even close to what he can be," Hope said. "He has an unbelievable upside. I think this time next year, he'll be one of the dominant players at  his position on a national level.

"He's certainly surfaced as one of the top players at his position in our league. He's an outstanding defensive tackle and he'll keep getting better and better."

In a moment of self-evaluation, Short said his size and athletic ability, coupled with his footwork, flexibility, arm reach, lower-level strength and quickness, has helped him "use that to an advantage."

Short's play has caught the attention of Iowa's offensive line. He's the fourth All-American-caliber defensive tackle the Hawkeyes have faced this year. His skills compare favorably with Penn State's Devon Still, and he's as disruptive as Michigan's Mike Martin and Michigan State's Jerel Worthy.

"Throw (Short) in the category, too," Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. "You can compare and contrast the common denominators. They're all really good, tough to block, and they're big on top of it."

"He's big, plays hard, athletic, powerful guy," Iowa tackle Markus Zusevics said. "He's a good D-lineman."

Going forward, Short admits he needs to be more consistent. That includes every game, not just against Ohio State or Penn State, a game in which he earned another Big Ten award. It's playing every play hard and smart, like his former teammates, that will make him an elite defensive tackle.

"I have to look back at every game I played in and I'm like 'Well, I know I could have did this, I know I could have did that," he said.

"As far as playing behind those three and watching those three, it just gives you motivation and energy that you can be one of those players. You have the chance to do it; you just have to live up to your potential  and do what you need to do and take care of business. Obviously, I keep in the back of my mind."