Purdue Football Eyes Rebuild with 2026 Recruiting Class After Tough Season
Purdue’s first season under Barry Odom didn’t go according to plan. A 2-10 finish with a winless Big Ten record (0-9) is a tough pill to swallow for any program, especially one trying to establish a new identity under a fresh head coach. But if there’s one thing college football teaches us year in and year out, it’s that the early signing period is where the seeds of a turnaround are planted.
As the 2026 recruiting cycle kicks off with the early signing window, Purdue is already looking to reshape its roster and build toward a more competitive future. The Boilermakers entered Wednesday with 20 verbal commitments from high school recruits and one junior college transfer, signaling a foundational class that will be key in Odom’s rebuild. According to On3, Purdue’s 2026 class currently ranks 61st nationally and 16th in the Big Ten.
The Boilermakers are also facing some roster attrition heading into the offseason. Defensive back Sterling Smith and running back Jaheim Merriweather have both announced their plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2. Those departures hit at two of the team’s most pressing needs, making this recruiting class all the more important.
Here’s a closer look at the players who have officially signed with Purdue. These are the names Boilermaker fans will want to keep an eye on as the program looks to turn the page.
Terrell Berryhill - Offensive Tackle
- High School: East St.
Louis (IL)
- Size: 6-6, 265
- Ranking: No. 1,293 nationally | No. 35 in Illinois | No. 97 at OT
Berryhill brings ideal length for a tackle and comes from a powerhouse program in East St. Louis.
He’s a developmental prospect, but the frame and upside are there. With time in a college strength program, he could grow into a key piece on the edge of the offensive line.
Brock Brownfield - Interior Offensive Lineman
- High School: New Palestine (IN)
- Size: 6-3, 250
- Ranking: No. 753 nationally | No. 12 in Indiana | No. 74 at IOL
Brownfield is a homegrown product with a sturdy build and a mean streak in the trenches. He’s a bit undersized right now, but his technique and footwork give him a solid foundation to build on. Expect him to compete for depth early in his career.
Max Carmicle - Edge Rusher
- High School: Hillcrest (IL)
- Size: 6-6, 215
- Ranking: No. 860 nationally | No. 23 in Illinois | No. 91 at Edge
Carmicle is long, lean, and explosive off the edge. At 6-6, he’s got the kind of frame that defensive coordinators love to mold. He’ll need to add weight, but the tools are there for him to become a disruptive force in the Big Ten.
Raderrion “DD” Daniels - Cornerback
- High School: Lake Cormorant (MS)
- Size: 6-2, 170
- Ranking: No. 916 nationally | No. 27 in Mississippi | No. 83 at CB
Daniels offers length and athleticism on the outside, something Purdue’s secondary could use more of. At 6-2, he can match up with bigger receivers, and his ball skills make him a potential playmaker in coverage.
Dana Greenhow - Safety
- High School: Sandy Creek (GA)
- Size: 5-10, 170
- Ranking: No. 1,439 nationally | No. 146 in Georgia | No. 140 at S
Greenhow is a rangy safety who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he’s quick to diagnose plays and isn’t afraid to come downhill in run support. He could carve out a role on special teams early.
Cooper McCutchan - Tight End
- High School: Moeller (OH)
- Size: 6-4, 235
- Ranking: No. 1,202 nationally | No. 56 in Ohio | No. 77 at TE
McCutchan is a well-rounded tight end who can block and catch. Coming out of Moeller, a program known for producing physical players, he brings a polished skill set that could help him contribute sooner rather than later.
Rico Schreiber - Offensive Tackle
- High School: Marist (IL)
- Size: 6-7, 345
- Ranking: 3-star | No. 1,687 nationally | No. 47 in Illinois | No. 126 at OT
Schreiber was the first player to commit to this class back in February, and he’s a mountain of a man at 6-7, 345 pounds. He’ll need to refine his technique, but his sheer size makes him an intriguing prospect on the offensive line.
Aiden Solecki - Defensive Tackle
- High School: Downers Grove North (IL)
- Size: 6-4, 250
- Ranking: No. 1,527 nationally | No. 41 in Illinois | No. 147 at DT
Solecki brings versatility to the defensive front. He’s a bit light for a traditional tackle, but his athleticism and motor could allow him to play multiple spots along the line, especially in sub-packages.
ArMari Towns - Tight End
- High School: Southside (AL)
- Size: 6-6, 220
- Ranking: No. 766 nationally | No. 28 in Alabama | No. 48 at TE
Towns is a big-bodied pass catcher who can stretch the field. At 6-6, he’s a matchup nightmare in the red zone and could be used as a flex tight end in Purdue’s system. His upside as a receiving threat is something to watch.
Katrell Webb - Edge Rusher
- High School: Collins Hill (GA)
- Size: 6-2, 225
- Ranking: No. 738 nationally | No. 80 in Georgia | No. 78 at Edge
Webb brings quickness and bend off the edge. He’s a high-motor defender who plays with energy and aggression. He’ll be in the mix to bolster a pass rush that needs fresh juice after a tough season.
James Williams Jr. - Interior Offensive Lineman
- High School: Lawrence Central (IN)
- Ranking: 3-star | No. 1,015 nationally | No. 18 in Indiana | No. 96 at IOL
Williams is another in-state lineman who adds depth to the interior. He’s a physical run blocker with a solid base and good awareness. With some development, he could become a steady presence on the inside.
Looking Ahead
It’s clear Purdue is leaning into size and upside with this class. There’s a heavy emphasis on the trenches - both sides of the ball - and that’s no coincidence. After a season where the Boilermakers struggled to control the line of scrimmage, Odom and his staff are trying to build from the inside out.
This class may not have the star power of some of their Big Ten counterparts, but it’s filled with players who fit the mold of developmental prospects - guys who can grow into contributors over time. And in a conference where physicality still reigns supreme, that approach makes a lot of sense.
With the transfer portal opening soon and more movement likely, this is just the beginning of what promises to be a pivotal offseason in West Lafayette. But for now, the Boilermakers have laid down the first bricks in their rebuild. Now it’s about turning potential into production.