Fall camp is about to open in West Lafayette, and Purdue is staring at a roster that still has plenty of sorting to do before Week 1. Year 2 of the Barry Odom era arrives with a lot of new faces, a few established pieces, and a depth chart that looks far clearer in some spots than others.
The Boilermakers are coming off a 2-10 season and a winless Big Ten slate in 2025, so the pressure on this group is obvious. Still, there are players who have already done enough to look like early favorites when Purdue opens against Indiana State on Sept. 4 at Ross-Ade Stadium. Here’s how the projected starters stack up heading into camp.
At quarterback, there really isn’t much drama. Browne handled the job last season, and Odom has made it clear he trusts his junior quarterback to run the offense again after Browne threw for 2,153 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. The only real competition here is behind him for the backup role.
Running back is where Purdue has some real depth. Ijeboi brings the kind of physical running style, vision and speed that puts him in position to grab the top spot, even with Jerrick Gibson, Travis Terrell Jr. and Antonio Harris all in the mix. That’s a room with options, and several of those backs could see meaningful carries.
Receiver is just as crowded. Owens gives Purdue quickness after performing at a very high level at Penn, Morrissette is back after missing all of last season with an injury, and Waseem arrives with nearly 700 yards from FAU in 2025. The Boilermakers also have Xavier Townsend, Jesse Watson, Chauncey Magwood, Jaylan Hornsby and Ricky Sampson in the mix, so this battle should stay lively.
Tight end looks more settled. Burhenn is the clear front-runner, and Odom has praised his versatility.
He can help as a receiver, block well and even line up at receiver when needed. Purdue likes Kylan Fox and Ar'Mari Towns too, but Burhenn is the name to circle entering camp.
Up front, the offensive line may already be the cleanest projection on the board. Tanona was hurt during spring ball, but the group Purdue used consistently then is the one that appears set to carry into Week 1. The portal additions of Banuelos, Stanley and Mafi give the Boilers more size and experience, and that continuity could matter a lot for the offense.
Defensively, Purdue knows the run defense has to be better. Neal brings Big Ten experience from Wisconsin and Illinois, while Lindsey is back after missing the final nine games of 2025 because of injury. Ian Jeffries, Wisdom Simms, Rodney Lora, Kobe Cherry and Josiah Hope are also part of the mix, but Neal and Lindsey look like the early picks in the middle.
At edge, the picture is a little less settled. Madden is still chasing a breakout, Burgos transferred in from Virginia Tech, and Elo Modozie could work his way into the rotation after spending last year at Georgia. There isn’t a ton of depth there, but Purdue does have some talent to work with.
Linebacker should be anchored by Correa, who is positioned to lead the defense and could be in line for a big season. Hayden, who played at Illinois, and Moore, who made his mark at San Diego, look like the best bets to line up next to him. Purdue needs that group to pressure the quarterback, help against the run and make plays, and the trio gives the defense experience and talent.
The secondary is another area where Odom and his staff clearly went looking for answers. Clark and Mangham are the types who can create turnovers, while Hines was arguably Purdue’s best secondary player last season and Bradford has shown promise during his time in West Lafayette. After falling short of expectations a year ago, this unit has to take a major step in 2026.
Special teams bring a few open questions, starting at kicker. Turner is the only Purdue kicker on the roster with any experience, and that experience came only as the kickoff specialist. He has never tried a field goal in college, and neither have Jack Weeter or Jacobo Echeverria Lozano, which makes that camp battle one to watch.
Punting looks more straightforward. Drennan arrives after earning second-team All-MAC honors at Buffalo last season, while Sam Dubwig is back at Purdue but did not appear in a game. Drennan has the edge on experience and should be the favorite.
Long snapper is locked in. Raab handled the job last season and is the only player listed at that spot on the roster heading into 2026.
The return game could also give Purdue some juice. Townsend and Terrell both bring shiftiness, speed and vision to kickoff returns, and either one could make something happen with the ball in his hands. On punts, Terrell gets the slight edge, though Townsend could absolutely be the one back there in Week 1.
In Other News...
Matt Painter Sees Two Early Purdue Concerns Fans Will Be Watching
After four games in Canada, Matt Painter already has a clear read on what Purdue needs to sharpen before the 2026-27 season gets rolling. The Boilermakers showed encouraging perimeter defense and steady effort, but Painter pointed to rebounding and interior defense as the two areas that stood out most during the trip, a reminder that the early work is about more than just getting minutes for a young roster.
Painters concern is less about effort than about edge. Purdue is getting pressure on the outside, but the next step is bringing more physicality around the rim and holding up better in the paint, especially once exhibition play arrives in October and the season opener follows in November. Fans tracking the post-Canada reset will have a good idea soon whether those lessons are sticking. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Volleyball Just Sent A Clear Message About Its 2026 Ceiling
Purdues offseason got a pretty clear endorsement when three of its own landed on the AVCA Player of the Year watch list for the 2026 college volleyball season. Kenna Wollard, Taylor Anderson and Grace Heaney each earned the nod after playing major roles in 2025, giving Dave Shondells program an early reminder that the Boilermakers should enter the new season with real star power across the court.
Wollard emerged as a force at outside hitter, Anderson drove the offense as the teams top setter, and Heaney came back strong after injury to make an impact at opposite hitter. Individually, each player already looks like a centerpiece, and together they give Purdue a ceiling that feels higher than a typical preseason headline. The bigger question now is how far that talent can carry the Boilermakers once the matches start to matter. [Read more 🡒]