Purdue Football: Gus Hartwig brings experience to OL

A season ago, the Purdue football offensive line struggled with injuries, but the Boilermakers got a boost up front for the 2024 season.

Gus Hartwig is back for another season for Purdue football. The 6-foot-5-inch, 315-pound fifth year senior has dealt with his fair share of injuries. In 2022, he suffered a knee injury that carried over through to 2023 season, where he missed the first three games. Despite that, Hartwig was able to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2023.

And, he enters 2024 hungry for more success, as was evidenced by the snaps he got in during Purdue football’s Spring Game earlier this month.

“It was awesome to play in a live game situation, get the pads on, get the kinks worked out and have a dress rehearsal,” Hartwig said.

The offensive line was a main area of focus for Purdue football coach Ryan Walters after last season. The second year coach hit the portal hard to bring in new talent as Corey Stewart, DJ Wingfield, Joey Tanona, Rod Green, Jaekwon Bouldin and Joshua Sales have all arrived with a goal to help bolster the line.

“I think we’ve been doing pretty well. As a group, we are coming together well. We have to integrate all the new guys and just get reps together. Always huge because guys haven’t seen ball and played so it just helps. We were big on trying to get more depth. We had depth last year but it withered away when the injuries came upon us,” Hartwig said.

Hartwig said being in the second year of the program with Walters has huge benefits, especially with trying to bring the new players up to speed.

“Year two is huge. Last year at this time, everyone was learning. Now I know it and can help the young guys coming together. We can help these guys get to this point, integrate them a little easier,” Hartwig said.

Purdue football will open the season Aug. 31 at Ross-Ade Stadium against Indiana State.