The former Ball State guard, Indiana All-Star, and one-time Purdue Basketball recruit, Tayler Persons, joined me for an awesome interview! When the Kokomo native (shoutout to T-Mill) transferred from Northern Kentucky, there was much talk of Persons ending up at Purdue, Ball State, or Xavier. Then, while on his visit to West Lafeyette, Caleb Swanigan announced his de-commitment from Michigan State.
With only one scholarship left for that season, Painter opted to take Swanigan. Obviously, “Biggie” was a home-run recruit and nobody can blame Matt Painter and staff for choosing the All-American over Persons, but I believe he would have been a phenomenal fit within the Boilermakers system.