Pair From Purdue: Breedlove, Green Aim to Strengthen Sun Devil Secondary

(Photo: Grace Johnson/WCSN)

When athletes commit to their new destination through the transfer portal, they willingly accept the adjustments that await. These adjustments include learning an entirely new playbook and developing chemistry with unfamiliar faces. However, in some cases, athletes benefit from a sense of continuity to assist with the transition.

Such is the case with two defensive backs Arizona State football acquired from the same program. Redshirt seniors Kyndrich Breedlove and Nyland Green were both members of Purdue’s secondary last season. In January, the pair made the trip alongside each other going from an 11-loss team to an 11-win College Football Playoff team. Each with one year of eligibility remaining, ASU will be the last college they ever play for.

Although their chemistry is established, Breedlove and Green face significant acclimation ahead. Fortunately for them, both players are well-accustomed with transferring to new programs. Both spent their first two years in the SEC — Breedlove at Ole Miss and Green at Georgia. Prior to their season at Purdue, Green’s 2023 season was with the Bulldogs whereas Breedlove transferred to Colorado.

Experience playing in multiple conferences is always an asset when transitioning to another. What’s unclear is Breedlove and Green’s adaptation to defensive coordinator Brian Ward’s scheme. While both players will be monitored, Breedlove’s fit is particularly notable, as he’s taken first-team reps in the slot.

“I think they’re going to help us continue to grow as a program,” Ward said. “I’m excited about their potential.”

The first team reps potentially indicate Breedlove stepping in for outgoing nickel Shamari Simmons. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), two-thirds of Simmons’ coverage reps were in zone coverage. A substantial difference compared to Breedlove, who dropped back in zone around 37 percent of the time last season at Purdue.

Though he may see 30 percent more zone coverage than last season, Breedlove remains confident in his ability to adapt. He attributes this confidence toward both his versatility and Ward’s approach.

“Coach Ward harps on knowing different positions and different schemes,” Breedlove said. “Being versatile, being able to go from man to zone.”

Ryan Walters, former Boilermakers head coach and now Washington’s defensive coordinator, instead leaned toward a man coverage-heavy scheme. To paint a picture of this transition, it’s important to note the differences between man and zone coverage.

Man coverage assigns each defender the task of covering a specific receiver. Zone, on the other hand, focuses on defending areas of the field rather than specific receivers. In other words, covering a “zone” and any receiver who enters it.

Ward’s emphasis on his defensive backs understanding both coverages is likely aimed at enabling adjustments if necessary. As Ward recognizes the importance of aligning the scheme personnel strengths.

“The key is having a system that we can adapt to people’s strengths and try to mitigate some of their weaknesses,” Ward said. “We’re still finding out a little about those guys.”

Like Breedlove, Green has been tasked with dropping back in zone for a significant share of his reps. Both have seen a good portion of man so far as well, consistent with Ward emphasizing knowledge of both coverages.

This approach could signal Ward’s intention to leverage his defensive backs’ strengths in man coverage. In addition to being confident in his ability to play man coverage, Green is confident in the rest of the secondary as well.

“Man-to-man, we’re not gonna let nobody catch up,” Green said. “We’re all gonna be on you like white on rice.”

Between the two players, Green’s traveled less miles. Starting his collegiate career north of his hometown of Covington, Georgia, Green became a Bulldog at just the right time. Stepping onto Athens in 2021, Green was on back-to-back national championship winning rosters.

Green knows what it feels like to be on top of the college football world. He also knows how deep the lows can get after last season at Purdue. Now a Sun Devil, Green thinks ASU is closer to the former than the latter, noting parallels in day-to-day operations as well.

“I’ve been around a two-time national championship team,” Green said. “It’s the same repeating cycle, I see the same task needs.”

Breedlove hasn’t played for a national championship team. In fact, team success hasn’t been something he’s experienced ever since leaving Ole Miss. Prior to the 1-11 season at Purdue, Breedlove was at Boulder when Colorado had a 4-8 season.

Now on a roster that went 11-3 and won the Big 12 last season, Breedlove aims to be on another winning team. Joining him is Green, whom Breedlove appreciates for their established chemistry.

“It’s great having him over here with me,” Breedlove said. “He knows what he’s doing, he knows that I should know what I’m doing too.”