Sometimes, life just has a tendency to work out.

That's how Joe Whitest has to be feeling these days, because after growing up of simple means in Belle Glade, Fla., then bouncing around a few schools, he landed in West Lafayette where he found a home with the Boilermakers.

Not only that, but he's worked his way into the playing rotation, a role that's now likely to expand with the season-ending injury to senior receiver Andre Chattams.

It's quite a surprising rise for Whitest, who was an unknown - dubbed Purdue's "Mystery Man" by some, when he verbally committed shortly before signing day.

"He's a high-effort guy," Coach Joe Tiller said. "The thing I like about Whitest is he really tries - really tries - to do what you coach him to do.

"We really started the season with him on the scout team, and we've moved him up. Each weak he gets more reps on the practice field, so I'd say he's steadily improving."

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