Welcome back to another season of football here at Big Ten and Counting! It is August which means football is so close you can almost taste it. As a reminder, I do these previews in order of last year’s finish which means we kick off with…Purdue. The rebuilding Boilermakers struggled mightily under Ryan Walters, going 4-8 (3-6) in his debut campaign and slipped to 1-11 (0-9) in year two. Worse, the team was dreadful on defense, which wasn’t great since he was a DC at Illinois, and their air raid offense took a big step back in its effectiveness. I think if Purdue had won three or four games again and showed any improvement, he probably would have gotten a third year but that isn’t what happened. Purdue turned in one of their worst seasons, ever. They experienced six games of allowing 45 points or more. They were shutout three times. Two games they did both, including a disastrous 66-0 loss to archrival Indiana. To say Purdue was hasty in firing coach Walters would be absurd. The arrow was trending down, sharply. It was his first head coaching job and he isn’t even 40 yet so he has plenty of time to learn for the future, but learning on the job in the Big Ten just doesn’t work.
So who did Purdue hire? Well let’s just say they didn’t gamble with another young and up-and-comer. They went with a much more seasoned coach, Barry Odom. Odom played and joined his alma mater as a part of the great Gary Pinkel’s staff. After eight years with Mizzou, he left to become Memphis’s DC for two seasons; however, the lure of the ZOU was too strong and he came back to be Pinkel’s DC in 2015. When Pinkel retired, Odom got the nod to be head man in 2016. Just 37 at the time, I’m sure many Tiger fans were worried but his first team went 4-8 and even gave Kirby Smart’s first Georgia team all they could handle in a one point loss. Next year was even better, 7-6. Improvement again the following year at 8-5. Year four was still competent, going 6-6, but the powers that be felt the program had stalled. It probably didn’t help that Odom’s grinding defensive style isn’t the sexiest product to watch, either. So Odom was canned from what I am sure was his dream job in 2019.
Odom wasn’t leaving the SEC just yet though. He joined Sam Pittman’s staff at Arkansas in 2020. Over the next three seasons the Razorbacks’ D was a turnover machine and kept the Hogs in many games. In 2023, UNLV decided that Odom had surely learned how to be a head coach and took a shot. Instant success. The Rebs went 19-8 (12-3) during Odom’s tenure in Las Vegas…and that is saying something. Odom’s run was UNLV’s most successful stretch since, drum roll please, the late 1970s. Last year’s 11 wins were the most since 1974 when they were in D2. Safe to say Purdue is getting a strong defensive coach but also one who can win at a nonconventional place. Two things Purdue desperately needed.
Unfortunately, Purdue will not be doing what Indiana did last year. They didn’t get a massive transfer class of talented UNLV players the same way the Hoosiers got like the whole James Madison team. IU was blessed to have an outstanding QB transfer from Ohio to help, too. Purdue doesn’t have that. As a result, I’m not expecting Purdue to put together very many wins. Success this season will be measured by competitiveness and identity building. That said, who are the players to look out for? Let’s start with the most important position, the signal caller.
To say Purdue has the worst quarterback room in the Big Ten wouldn’t be right because this quarterback room is a complete unknown blank slate. The most experienced player is Ryan Browne, a RS-sophomore. Over his two seasons at Purdue he has appeared in nine games with two starts. Next most experienced is RS-sophomore Malachi Singleton. Over his two seasons at Arkansas he appeared in five games. He was a four-star prospect in his class and was ranked as the fifth best dual threat QB. Then we have Bennett Meredith. He’s a RS-Junior. While not appearing at all last year, in 2023 he did see action in three games with one start. Lastly we have Evans Chuba who was at Washington State last year but saw no action and the coach’s son, Garyt Odom, a three-star recruit. Odom has remained close lipped about who will start but you’d imagine that Singleton has the highest upside. Will he pan out? Will any of them pan out? That’s why we need to play some games. We will know soon enough if this unknown group will be good, bad, or somewhere in-between.
[[Note, since originally writing this preview, Browne was announced as the starter]]
While the QB room is completely new-look, the running back situation is firmly established. Senior Devin Mockobee is a familiar name to all Big Ten fans. Back in 2022 as a redshirt freshman this unheralded recruit burst onto the scene and rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and set numerous school records. He was a huge piece in the Boilers making the Big Ten title game that year. 2023 and 2024 were both solid campaigns. Although his numbers for those seasons aren’t to that 2022 level, keep in mind the supporting cast and coaching around him wasn’t as good. Based on his history, Mockobee will surely put up 800+ yards, have plenty of touchdowns, and be the most dependable weapon on this roster. He has had a stellar career in West Lafayette.
As for who will spell Mockobee, there are plenty of options. Former Virginia Tech Hokie Malachi Thomas carried the rock 43 times last year for Purdue. Jaheim Merriweather and Antonio Harris also saw some action last year and Jaron Thomas joins as an intriguing four-star recruit. Addai Lewellen and Carter Holsworth add additional depth to this position group. Personally, I’d try and get Thomas as many reps as possible, while still being the back up to Mockobee, and see what the highly touted recruit has as I try to build the program, but the depth at this group is a nice piece.
Unfortunately for Purdue fans, the receiver and tight end position groups are nearly as untested as the quarterback position is. The most accomplished returning player is wideout De’Nylon Morrissette who played in 11 games, started four, and hauled in 11 receptions for over a hundred yards and two scores. Morrissette was a four-start player in his class and spent the first two years of his career at Georgia. Another potential piece is UNLV transfer Christian Moore. Moore was the starting tight end for the Rebels last year and while he was not asked to be a threat in the passing game, he was a key blocker for a top-ten rushing attack. In fact, according to PFF, Moore was the third best blocking TE nationally last year with a blocking grade of 77.8. A testament to his blocking acumen, Moore started his career at Kansas State where he played several seasons as a full back before transferring to Las Vegas and switching positions.
After Morrissette and Moore, I’m not sure what the depth chart will look like. Another UNLV transfer, TE Christian Earls is listed at 6’8, 280 which is way bigger than the average TE. Perhaps his size will help in tight spaces in the passing game. Another transfer TE, Rico Walker, was a four-start prospect in his class. While he didn’t get much action at Maryland or Auburn, perhaps this is where it clicks. If not, there are still three more TEs listed on the roster. Purdue has the bodies there, but again, it is all unknown.
The wideout position is similarly untested. Chauncy Magwood is a UCF transfer that has appeared in 41 games but has just 17 career receptions. Obviously he is experienced as a senior with going through camps the last several years, but he has never been asked to be a key target. EJ Horton Jr. is a FAU transfer who cracked the rotations at both Marshall and West Virginia before his stop in FAU. A foot injury and surgery resulted in no game appearances as an Owl. Michael Jackson III is yet another transfer, coming in from Georgia. He didn’t do anything for the Bulldogs last year but at his previous stop, USC, he showed flashes of talent. Perhaps he makes the leap. Tulsa transfer Corey Smith had better stats than Morrissette but was also feast or famine. Almost all his 179 receiving yards came in just three games. There are some more fresh faces even less accomplished than those that I listed, some even being four-start kids when they were being recruited but you get the idea, this is not a statistically robust group. I will end with special acknowledgement of Utah transfer David Washington. He blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown last year. So at the very least, Purdue has a wideout who we know is a threat in special teams.
Mercifully for Purdue fans, Mockobee, and the quarterbacks, the bright spot for Purdue’s offense is along the line. Not only is there experience, but there is also legitimate talent that would start at most teams in the league. Anchoring the group will be Jalen St. John, a UNLV transfer who has 37 appearances and 14 starts in his career. Last year he started every game for the Rebels and earned All-Mountain West honors, has been on the Outland watch list, and took 877 snaps last year at left tackle. Joining him from UNLV is Hank Purvis and Mason Vicari. While not nearly as touted as St. John, the two of them appeared in most UNLV games a season ago and know what Odom is looking for out of his line.
Almost as touted as St. John is Auburn transfer Bradyn Joiner. He was an SEC All-Freshman performer a year ago, appearing in 10 games with five starts. He allowed just three sacks in nearly 300 snaps last year. Joining this transfer party are three more intriguing pieces. All of these players succeeded at their previous spots but they were not major football so we’ll see if their skills transfer to the Big Ten. Giordano Vaccaro is the most accomplished with 27 consecutive starts north of the border at Manitoba. Over his three seasons Manitoba was one of the best rushing teams in Canada and Vaccaro was awarded First-team All Canada and last year the highest award in Canada for a lineman, the JP Metras award. Like Joiner he was a left guard so either one will move over to the right side or the Boilers will have ample depth there. Next up is Jude McCoskey who has 22 appearances and 20 starts in his career thus far, all at FCS Indiana State. McCoskey was a left tackle with the Sycamores so either he or St. John could be shifted to right tackle, or again, healthy depth at that spot. Last but not least is Tyrell Green who played in all 13 games and started 10 at Eastern Kentucky and was an FCS Freshman All-American. Greene gave up no sacks last year and the Colonels had the 26th best rushing attack in the FCS. He lined up at Right Guard so we are getting more and more flexibility with each player I’ve listed.
The group gets even deeper when you factor in three returning Boilers: Bakyne Coly; who made 11 appearances last year, Joey Tanona; who made 10 appearances last year, and Drew Woodruff who has yet to make an appearance in three seasons but has gotten some buzz in camp as someone to land on the two-deep for this unit. Rounding out the OL is a bevy of younger players hoping to get a few reps. Of this group Marques Easley is the most interesting. He is a four-start Georgia recruit who did see the field in two games for the Bulldogs. Clearly Purdue’s offensive identity will revolve around this line. UNLV had a top 10 rushing attack per game last year and with Mockobee being a proven back and this line having some solid pieces, I expect Purdue to attempt a bruising brand of football when they have the rock.
As we flip the field and look at the defense, we start with the men down in the trenches along the defensive line. Keeping contain on the ends we have some interesting pieces to sort out. CJ Madden was a four-start kid who started at Georgia, then came to Purdue and played the first three games before a season-ending injury. He played pretty well in those three games. A healthy Madden will help considerably for this position group. Trey Smith started his career at Illinois, playing two games there back in 2023. Last year he saw action in nine games. His experience will help, even if he is only a rotational guy and not a full starter. Finally we have a trio of three-start kids each with some promise. Breeon Ishmail redshirted in 2023 at Michigan and played a bit last year before joining Purdue for 2025. Like Smith he at least has some real game reps under his belt. The other two are freshmen Landon Brooks and Mason Alnutt. Brooks is a local prospect coming off a brilliant career in the Indiana high school scene. Alnutt was one of the best New York prospects in his draft class and had a similarly great prep career. There is further depth at this end position so while not the oldest or most experienced, Purdue has plenty of bodies to rotate in to stay fresh and perhaps a few of them make the leap this year and become anchors at defensive end.
The rest of the defensive line is a really fun mix of returning players with some game experience, albeit limited, and some transfers who had great careers admittedly at smaller programs. Two of the transfers come from Akron. CJ Nunnaly IV was a back-to-back MAC First Team player with over 100 tackles and 26.0 TFLs combined the last two seasons. Against EMU last year he had 11 tackles, amazing. He is going to be a key player for the Boilers this year. Joining him from the Zips is Marcus Moore Jr. In his redshirt freshman season he played in all 12 games and tallied 31 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and recovered a fumble. Breylon Charles comes in from North Texas where he appeared in 11 games and started four of them. Despite not starting most of the season, he was tied for the most sacks and was fourth in TFLs. Prior to his run at North Texas, he was a second team JUCO All American.
After those three players with FBS experience, we have four players all with experience at smaller programs. Miles Mitchell has started 20 games over the last two years at Monmouth and was honorable mention All-CAA last year. Elijah St. John has appeared in 20 games over the last two seasons at LIU, racking up 40 tackles last season. Finally Jordan Cree (Wabash) and Josh Burney (Fort Valley State) come from outside the D1 ranks. Cree appeared in all 21 games of his two year Wabash career and racked up 43 tackles, 12.0 TFLs, 6 sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, and blocked two kicks last year. Burney led his team in TFLs (9.0) and sacks (6.0) a season ago. The rest of the line has four players (Jamarius Dinkins, Demeco Kenedy, Jamarrion Harkless, and Drake Carlson) who all saw multiple game action last year for the Boilermakers and Ian Jeffries who saw game action at Arkansas State. Without a doubt the line is experienced and deep. If the transfers, especially Nunnaly IV, play like they did at their other schools, then this unit should be a strength for Purdue.
Just like their teammates up front, the linebacking group is a mix of rotational guys already at Purdue and some transfers to get excited about. The most interesting new face is Mani Powell, who joins his coach from UNLV. Powell started seven games and appeared in all 14 for the Rebels and piled up 59 tackles, 9.0 TFL, and 3.5 sacks on the season. Clearly he knows the system and Odom and Powell trust each other. A close contender to Powell for most intriguing transfer is Sanders Ellis. This dude had a killer freshman season at Tennessee State. He was a Jerry Rice finalist, FCS Freshman All American, and OVC Defensive Freshman of the Year. He appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman and picked up 86 tackles, 15.5 TFL, and 2.5 sacks. Powell has the edge in experience, but Elis could have the edge in talent when it’s all said and done. Rounding out the fresh faces is Charles Correa. He went through prep juggernaut Bishop Gorman before staying home and going to UNLV. As a freshman he got into all 14 games and started two of them.
As for the returning pieces, look no further than Winston Bergland who was showing real promise last year with 9 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and a sack in just three games before a season-ending injury. He could be a real difference maker if healthy. Always a big position group there are still seven more guys listed on the roster all with various experiences. Highlighting all of them isn’t feasible but I will shoutout Alex Sanford Jr. who has 234 career special teams snaps from his time at Arkansas. Even if he doesn’t become a major piece of the LB room, he will surely see the field as a reliable special teams player. Obviously there are better LB groups in this league but Powell, Ellis, and a healthy Bergland are certainly fun players to keep an eye on. I think it is clear based on coaching and talent, that Purdue’s front seven is already way better than anything the Boilers have tried the last two seasons. With Odom’s defensive brand, expect this group to hold their own in games. If Purdue’s season is a disaster, I don’t think it will be due to anything the front seven does.
This write up has had a large amount of transfers already, yet, the secondary is where we see by far the most infusion of new faces. By my count Purdue has nine new players who all could be called upon coming from outside the program. Throw in an additional two guys – one returning and one a true freshman – and you see Purdue has pieces to play with. There are even five more guys who all saw the field last year for Purdue that might get a few looks. With so many bodies for the new staff they need to identify which pieces work the best together but also which transfers will be able to make the leap to Big Ten football.
One of those transfers who should have no trouble fitting in is Hershey McLaurin. He comes in from Houston and before that at West Virginia. Over the past two seasons of Big 12 ball, he has 24 appearances and 19 starts. Last year he tallied 50 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, and had a real nose for the ball. In terms of all the secondary players who hit the portal last spring, McLaurin was one of the most experienced. Also racking up the reps, and honestly frequent flier miles, is Tony Grimes. The former five-start prospect started at UNC back in 2020. In 2021 he was All-ACC Honorable Mention. His final season with the Tar Heels was 2022 and while not receiving any awards, was their starter in 11 games and helped guide them to the ACC title game. Then he went to Texas A&M for a season but never saw the field due to injury. Last year he was with Odom at UNLV and started 13 games for them. While his last few years haven’t come close to his 2021 level of play, he does bring plenty of knowledge and experience to the position group and the potential to return to 2021 form.
Next up in the bevy of new secondary players is Tahj Ra-El. This dude was a menace two years ago with Old Dominion. He racked up 84 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 6 pass break ups, and 1 INT. He started 13 games for ODU and led all defensive backs in defensive run grade per PFF. He then transferred to Memphis where things got weird. He played in four games and started two but left the program midway after allegedly leaking their playbook to UTSA. The news of why he supposedly departed from Memphis broke this summer but Purdue stood by him and honestly with his level of play at ODU and Purdue’s need for talent, Odom and his staff just need to find a way to trust Ra-El.
The rest of the transfers aren’t nearly as newsworthy but certainly skilled in their own right. Richard Toney Jr. had a great 2023 with Nevada before going to TCU. He saw the field last year but didn’t crack the regular rotation. He looks to regain his 2023 play now with Purdue. Crew Wakley appeared in 23 games with 16 starts at BYU. He put up solid numbers and was put on the East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List. BYU ran a funky system last year with multiple safeties all getting into the rotation and being credited with starts without starting the whole game but despite that, he has a nine tackle game and a seven tackle game in his career so don’t let his baby face fool you, he will level you. Lastly An’Darious Coffey (Memphis), Myles Slusher (Colorado), TD Williams (Central Arkansas), and Ryan Turner (Boston College) all bring plenty of experience to be contributors for the Boilers.
Rounding out things were those non-transfers I mentioned. Hudauri Hines was just a freshman last year but as the season went on the former staff liked what they saw and he got into the final eight games of the year. Zyntreacs Otey comes in as a highly touted four-start kid who had a great prep career in football-mad Tennessee. There’s a lot of experience ahead of both these guys but I fully expect at least one of them to get some action, even if it is just as necessary depth. As you see Purdue has a lot of pieces to play with and some of them are quite a step up over who Purdue was starting last year. Between the infusion of talent and just how good a defensive coach Odom is, I think Purdue can have a nice defense this year. I’m not sure that will be enough in such a deep league to do what Indiana did a season ago, heck, I’m not even sure that will be enough to make a bowl in year one, but I do think the days of Purdue giving up 52 points to a 5-7 Wisconsin team are behind them.
To round things out we get to special teams. Purdue’s unit should be reliably unheard of, which is kind of what you want. Only disastrous special teams, for example Nebraska of the last few years, are memorable nationally and only local fans remember their true special team’s greats. For example if I say Tim Dwight outside of Iowa City, only a few 1990s college football die-hards will know that name. So yeah, never noticing Purdue’s special teams should be a good thing.
Having said that, doing the punting will most likely be Washington transfer Jack McCallister. He put up steady and reliable numbers for the Huskies the last three years, no reason to expect that to change. If something does happen, Purdue does have two more punters on their roster in Seth Turner and Sam Dubwig. Dubwig was born and raised in Arkansas and based on his official portrait for Purdue’s website, he can grow an epic mullet. Doing the kicking will be Spencer Porath. He won the job last year as a freshman and kicked in nine games. He didn’t get the most attempts thanks to how anemic the offense was but he did well enough on field goals and, jinx alert, didn’t miss a PAT last year. Jack Weeter is the back up if anything happens to Porath. Last but not least, Purdue’s official roster lists two long snappers, Luke Raab and Justin Schmidt. Not only is this rare for the position to be singled out but also neither has seen the field, so theoretically snapping might be interesting this fall; but, with all off season to get their timing down, I doubt snapping actually will be an issue.
So let’s wrap up this long story in a simple way. No, Purdue is not the cakewalk they were the last two years. However, I don’t see them repeating what their in-state rivals Indiana did either. Based on Odom’s track record I expect this team to be well prepared, competent, tough as nails on defense, and compete in plenty of games. Will it be enough to make a bowl? Honestly, I don’t see it thanks to their schedule. They have to play five ranked teams this year and a USC team that should get into the polls as the year progresses. That leaves very little margin of error in the other six. With a softer schedule I’d say a bowl berth was doable but with this slate I’m dubious. Still, a four or five win season is still miles ahead of what Purdue was a season ago and will lay a nice foundation for future campaigns.
2025 Schedule:
Ball State:
- Best Case: BSU was a nonfactor in the MAC last year going just 3-9 and fired their coach. Purdue should win this. 1-0
- Worst Case: If Purdue still had last year’s team and staff, sure an upset would be possible, but not now. 1-0
- Prediction: With Purdue’s new look defense, I think they can make BSU’s offense look pretty rough. W, 24-3, 1-0 (0-0)
Southern Illinois:
- BC: SIU went to the playoffs in 2023 and was expected to have a good 2024 but it fell apart in a 4-8 campaign. 2-0
- WC: Great chance for Purdue to double last year’s win total after just two weeks. 2-0
- P: The Purdue defense clamps things down yet again. W, 31-7, 2-0 (0-0)
USC:
- BC: The Trojans struggled mightily on the road last season dropping games at Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, and inexplicably Maryland. Perhaps the road woes continue. 3-0
- WC: USC is receiving votes for a reason, they have plenty of talented pieces and obviously Lincoln Riley knows how to move the ball. 2-1
- P: Purdue plays a scrappy first half but USC just has too much in the tank. L, 31-10, 2-1 (0-1)
At Notre Dame:
- BC: Anything will be better than last year’s 66-7 drubbing. 3-1
- WC: Well, maybe you can get blown out worse. 2-2
- P: It is games like this that Purdue will show their growth as a team. They don’t have the horses to win it just this year but they certainly will look better than last year. L, 38-10, 2-2 (0-2)
Illinois:
- BC: Purdue lost this match-up 50-49 in OT last year. Clearly they’re more talented this year. 4-1
- WC: Illinois is also better on paper entering this season. 2-3
- P: The Illini have a pretty big edge when it comes to quarterback and are the better team on paper in the offseason. UI pulls away as the game goes on. L, 27-7, 2-3 (0-3)
At Minnesota:
- BC: Uh, folks, Purdue is for real. 5-1
- WC: Another moral victory but just not enough talent to overcome. 2-4
- P: Over the last four seasons Minnesota has averaged eight wins and a big part of it is winning the games they should. Taking on rebuilding Purdue at home is a game the Gophers should win. L, 28-24, 2-4 (0-4)
At Northwestern:
- BC: Bowl bound in year one! 6-1
- WC: As bad as Northwestern was at times last year, they still beat Purdue. 2-5
- P: Northwestern’s offense was dreadful last year and I’m not convinced they fixed all their issues. Purdue’s defense shines again. W, 21-13, 3-4 (1-4)
Rutgers:
- BC: Forget a bowl, is Purdue about to make the playoffs like Indiana did??? 7-1
- WC: In shades of Minnesota, Rutgers has become reliably bowl bound winning seven games each of the last two seasons. 2-6
- P: I might be wildly wrong with this but Athan Kaliakmanis just does not move my needle so I see this game as a toss-up and when I see a toss-up, I lean with the home team. W, 24-21, 4-4 (2-4)
At Michigan:
- BC: Wolverines went 8-5 last year but several of their wins were razor thin. Maybe Moore just doesn’t have it. Never know. 8-1
- WC: Despite the bumpy season, we know Michigan’s ceiling remained quite high thanks to that upset victory over Ohio State. 2-7
- P: Michigan is more talented, deeper, and the home team. L, 38-10, 4-5 (2-5)
Ohio State:
- BC: The Boilers stunning the Bucks in West Lafayette, I never remember that happening…9-1
- WC: Done by halftime. 2-8
- P: Yeah, not liking Purdue’s chances in this one. L, 45-10, 4-6 (2-6)
At Washington:
- BC: When Washington was off they were really off. Exhibit A: their blowout loss at Iowa. 10-1
- WC: But when they were on they were pretty solid. Exhibit B: their upset win over Michigan. 2-9
- P: Not sure UW will crack into the upper upper echeloned of the league this year but they should hold home serve against squads like Purdue. L, 28-14, 4-7 (2-7)
Indiana:
- BC: Welcome to the playoffs, Big Ten champs Purdue! 11-1
- WC: Embarrassed by the rival yet again. 2-10
- P: I think Indiana will take a bit of a step back since Kurtis Rourke was so dang good but not enough of a step that Purdue wins back the bucket. L, 28-17, 4-8 (2-8)
I truly believe Purdue has the right coach for their program and there is some real talent on this roster to make some waves in year one. The problem is the schedule does them no favors with several ranked teams and some tough road trips. Still, winning four games and being competitive in a few more is such a reversal over the last two years that I think any Boilermakers fan will gladly take the result.
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