As spring practice approaches, we’re taking a snapshot of the state of each Big Ten program. We’re looking at recent performance, won-loss trends, coaching, current personnel and future personnel.

Up next: the Purdue Boilermakers.

2014 record: 3-9 (1-7 Big Ten)

Three-year record: 10-27

Coaching situation: Darrell Hazell enters his third season at Purdue with only one Big Ten victory and four total wins under his belt. Other than a brief stretch midway through last season, the Boilers haven't shown much promise during Hazell's tenure. Although Purdue is still searching for a wide receivers coach to replace Kevin Sherman, Hazell has maintained continuity on his staff, which could pay off in Year 3.

Roster situation: Purdue remains a very young team that returns great depth aside from positions like running back and defensive end. Quarterback Austin Appleby is back and will operate behind the same offensive line and with the same group of receivers. Purdue really needs its veteran offensive line to be a strength. Safety Landon Feichter is a significant loss, but cornerback Frankie Williams returns to lead the secondary. Freshmen and sophomores filled Purdue's depth chart last fall. The Boilers need them to step up in 2015.

Recruiting situation: The Boilers didn't get as much attention for the 2015 class as they did the previous year, but they added some solid pieces, especially on offense. Junior-college transfer Anthony Mahoungou could provide a much needed lift at wide receiver, and Purdue adds pieces at running back in Markell Jones, Richard Worship and Tario Fuller. After the past two seasons, few jobs are locked up so young players have opportunities to see the field immediately.

Trajectory: Down. Purdue improved its wins total last season but still fell well short of a bowl game for the second straight year. What once was a consistent bowl team under Joe Tiller resides in the Big Ten's basement. The offense showed some life last fall after a historically bad 2013 season, but speed threats Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert depart and the passing game has yet to show the ability to stretch the field. Purdue's defense needs to get off of the field after finishing 115th nationally in third-down conversions allowed (46.2 percent). There's young talent in the front seven, and young, yet experienced, players like tackle Jake Replogle and linebacker Jimmy Herman keep progressing, the unit should be serviceable. Although the Boilers were better in 2014, it didn't take much to improve upon a 1-11 clunker the previous fall. This team still has yet to show evidence it's turning a corner. For Hazell's sake, it had better happen this season.