Why This Purdue Football Team Feels Different Than Last Year
In this story:
Coming away with any extreme conclusion after just a week of fall camp is extremely difficult. While we can make plenty of observations and read into what members of the coaching staff are (and aren't) saying, nobody will really know what this Purdue team can accomplish until it hosts Wake Forest on Sept. 12.
As Purdue completed its first full week of fall camp, you can tell this team has a different energy about it. The Boilermakers may be picked to finish last in the Big Ten for a third straight season, but Barry Odom has much more confidence in this year's team.
There are a few reasons why this year could look different than people expect. Here are a few reasons why.
The cohesion is better
Last season, Odom was forced to assemble a roster on the fly. It was a group held together by duct tape and bubble gum, welcoming in more than 80 new players. Additionally, there were two transfer portal windows and Purdue's staff had to work hard to build a team during both cycles.
That wasn't the case this year. Odom has spoken glowingly about the elimination of the spring portal window and Purdue building chemistry and cohesion in the eight months he's had with this particular roster. It makes a big difference.
Purdue was forced to fill spots, hoping things would work out. This past offseason, the Boilermakers were more intentional about who they recruited from the portal and what positions they needed to reinforce. The result is a much healthier, more cohesive locker room than the one in 2025.
More talent at wide receiver and running back
Purdue lacked playmakers at multiple positions last season. That was impacted even more by injuries to running back Devin Mockobee and wide receiver De'Nylon Morrissette. Because the Boilers loaded up at those two positions in the transfer portal, they have several more options.
The running back room is particularly impressive, bringing in Fame Ijeboi from Minnesota, Jerrick Gibson from Texas and Jackson State's Travis Terrell Jr. Additionally, the Boilers returned second-leading rusher Antonio Harris. Purdue has four backs who could make an impact this fall.
At wide receiver, Purdue has a collection of returning talent, including Morrissette, Corey Smith, Chauncey Magwood, Jesse Watson and Jalil Hall. Odom also added Asaad Waseem (FAU), Xavier Townsend (Iowa State), Bisi Owens (Penn), Jaylan Hornsby (Syracuse) and Ricky Sampson (Victor Valley).
There are more proven players at each position, giving Purdue plenty of options in both the run game and the passing attack. The program didn't have that luxury a year ago.
Playmakers in the secondary
Let's be honest, Purdue didn't have a Big Ten-caliber secondary last season. The Boilermakers were frequently torched through the air and were rarely able to make plays on the ball. The difference in size and speed against other conference opponents was glaring.
This collection of defensive backs gives Purdue better size on the back end, and nearly everyone the staff brought in from the transfer portal has proven to be a playmaker. Justin Denson Jr. (Michigan State), Jaden Mangham (Michigan), Don Saunders (Utah) and John Slaughter (Colorado) have been some early standouts in fall camp.
For Purdue to be more competitive in the Big Ten, the defense has to be more opportunistic. Creating turnovers and providing the offense with more opportunities to score is critical to this program's success.
Better depth in the trenches
Having better depth in the trenches on both sides of the football is probably the biggest improvement for Purdue from 2025 to 2026. Like many position groups, the Boilermakers got more experience up front.
It's hard to win games in the Big Ten if you can't win the battles in the trenches. Purdue has multiple guys competing for jobs along the offensive line. This year's group should be much deeper than it was a year ago.
The defensive front might be one of the most improved units on this team, with the addition of Curt Neal, Wisdom Simms and Rodney Lora, and the return of TJ Lindsey and Ian Jeffries. Plus, the Boilers brought in Keyshawn Burgos, Elo Modozie, Jeremy Lewis and Trey Smith to help CJ Madden and Breeon Ishmail on the edge.
Purdue's improved depth up front on both sides is another thing Odom really likes about this team. Those two units must play well for the Boilermakers to get this program headed back in the right direction.
Get top Boilermakers stories, expert analysis, and can't-miss moments straight to your inbox for free by signing up for the Purdue Boilermakers on SI newsletter!
Add us as a preferred source on Google
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.
Follow SchutteDustin