Purdue's QB Depth Behind Ryan Browne a Concern Early in Fall Camp
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Ryan Browne has secured Purdue's starting quarterback job. After starting all 12 games last season, head coach Barry Odom has expressed nothing but confidence in the junior gunslinger, providing the Boilermakers with some certainty at the game's most important position.
How does the rest of the depth chart look behind Browne? It's kind of a mess right now.
Purdue has four quarterbacks on the roster behind Browne, but none have separated themselves in the battle to be No. 2 on the team's depth chart this fall. When asked whether there's someone who is standing out as a backup candidate, Odom provided an honest answer.
"I don't know," he said, pausing for a few moments. "We've got a lot of work to do."
Along with Browne, three other quarterbacks return from Purdue's 2025 squad: Evans Chuba, Bennett Meredith and Garyt Odom. The Boilermakers also brought in three-star quarterback Corin Berry as a member of the 2026 recruiting class.
Meredith is the only quarterback of the four who has made an appearance in a college football game, but two full years have passed since he last stepped onto the field. He played in three games during the 2023 campaign, completing 7-of-11 passes for 43 yards.
None of Purdue's remaining backup options have taken a snap at the NCAA level.
That puts the offense in a precarious position if there are any issues with Browne at any point in the season. Last year, the Boilers at least had the benefit of Malachi Singleton on the roster, a quarterback who played in five games at Arkansas in 2024 before transferring to Purdue.
Odom relied on Singleton in the second half of Purdue's game against Northwestern when Browne sustained an injury and was unable to play in the final two quarters. When Browne struggled against Washington, the Boilers were able to turn to Singleton.
After the 2025 season ended, Singleton decided to transfer out of the program. His departure left Purdue without a solid Plan B.
There is still one month until kickoff, giving Purdue ample time to sort out the backup quarterback situation. It's going to be something worth monitoring throughout fall camp.
Will the first scrimmage provide any clarity?
Purdue will have its first scrimmage of fall camp this weekend, which might provide some clarity on the quarterback situation.
A lot can be learned through position drills, but there's no better situation to learn about players than in live action. This weekend's scrimmage could allow one of the four quarterbacks battling for the backup job to emerge as the best candidate.
Odom also said that, following the scrimmage this weekend, the depth chart will begin to shake out. Maybe he and offensive coordinator Josh Henson just need to see Chuba, Meredith, Odom and Berry in a game-like situation before making a final decision on who lands at No. 2 on the depth chart.
Without any real clarity on the situation right now, Odom is probably hoping that one guy stands out and Purdue can move forward with a clear starter and backup heading into its season opener against Indiana State next month.
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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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