Purdue DB Accused of Leaking Playbook to Opponent During Time at Memphis
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A report from On3 alleges that current Purdue defensive back Tahj Ra-El leaked his playbook to an opposing quarterback shortly after his time at Memphis. The outlet obtained an image of the messages sent between Ra-El and UTSA quarterback Owen McCown, which appear to indicate the former Memphis safety sharing the defensive schemes.
The alleged incident happened prior to Memphis' game against UTSA on Nov. 2. Ra-El left the team in October, though TigerSportsReport is reporting that he may have been dismissed from the squad.
UTSA defeated Memphis 44-36.
In a statement provided to GoldandBlack.com's Tom Dienhart, a Purdue official said, “Our coaching staff sees the scenario as being mischaracterized and does not have any concerns moving forward.”
VIRAL: Screenshots show former Memphis DB Tahj Ra-El sending UTSA QB Owen McCown the Tigers' playbook before their game 🤯
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) July 24, 2025
UTSA won 44-36. This is insane‼️ pic.twitter.com/vsPFjU3tbX
The messages from Ra-El to McCown also appear to show him pointing out one of the weaker links in the Memphis secondary prior to the contest. Ra-El has not commented on the situation.
Ra-El transferred to Purdue during the winter transfer portal period. He spent his first three seasons at Old Dominion before transferring to Memphis for the 2024 campaign. He appeared in just four games for the Tigers last season, maintaining his redshirt year. He tallied 13 tackles and an interception.
In four seasons, Ra-El has accounted for 152 tackles, eight passes defended, and two interceptions.
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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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