Will Purdue Basketball Experience Transfer Portal Attrition? 3 Things to Consider
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With Purdue's 2025-26 season now over, attention turns to the offseason and whether or not there will be any departures in the coming weeks. The NCAA transfer portal opens on April 7, allowing student-athletes to explore their options for next season.
Purdue has become notorious for its ability to recruit and retain players. With Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer all leaving — and Oscar Cluff like done with eligibility as well — there are several spots to fill heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
So, will the Boilermakers experience any attrition this offseason? It's almost impossible to know, but here are some things to consider about Purdue's outlook for next year and the likelihood that players will transfer out from the program.
How does Oscar Cluff's situation play out?
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It seems unlikely that Cluff will be able to return to Purdue for another season based on how the ruling of Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar played out earlier this year. However, there hasn't been any finality on the center's situation, which could throw a wrinkle into the roster if he's back for the 2026-27 campaign.
So, while it's unlikely Cluff returns, it's something to think about, at least for the moment. His return would put at least three players into the five position. Daniel Jacobsen and Sinan Huan would also be battling for minutes, and while Raleigh Burgess is probably better suited at the four, he could certainly see some minutes at the five.
Would Cluff's return push one of the big guys to think about entering the transfer portal? Even though it would only be for one season, one of those centers could consider a different option.
Several spots are opening up for playing time
I know I threw out the Cluff scenario earlier, but let's assume he won't be back for the Boilermakers next year. That would leave four starting spots open to be filled. Even if he does return, Painter will be searching to replace three starting spots with Smith, Loyer and Kaufman-Renn gone.
The Boilermakers will only have a returning start at the two, which is sophomore guard C.J. Cox. The one, three, four and five positions are all wide open.
Having that many open spots creates a lot of competition in the offseason for a position in the starting lineup. Even if guys don't crack the starting rotation, there are opportunities to increase playing time from the bench.
Purdue also has players who can play multiple positions, which creates even more interest in these battles. So, does the appeal of so many starting jobs opening up keep current players from entering the transfer portal this offseason? At the very least, it has to be a major consideration for a lot of guys already in West Lafayette.
Another crowded year at the guard positions
Should Purdue see some attrition in the transfer portal during the offseason, it would likely come from the guard position because of overcrowding. At the one spot, Omer Mayer and freshman Luke Ertel will be the ones battling for the starting job. The two guard features Cox, Gicarri Harris, Antione West Jr. and, potentially, newcomer Jacob Webber.
Cox is probably fixed into that two spot, but there's a possibility that Harris, West and Webber also get some run at the three. Then, you might have to battle with Jack Benter for minutes at that spot.
There's a realistic possibility that Webber redshirts as a freshman, which would create some breathing room at that spot. Even in that case, someone will be on the short end of the minutes.
Could that lead to Harris or West exploring the transfer portal? Or maybe Aaron Fine, who is a talented guard but probably won't see much time because of the point guard situation with Ertel and Mayer, examines opportunities elsewhere.
Whether all stay or some go, the battle for the guard spots is going to be incredibly interesting moving into the 2026-27 season.
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Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.
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