Marques Easley arrives at Purdue with the kind of profile that jumps off the page before he ever takes a snap. At 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, the Kankakee, Illinois native is already lined up as the Boilermakers’ starting left guard heading into fall camp for 2026.
Easley was one of Coach Odom’s bigger portal additions for the 2025 season, bringing a former 4-star résumé with him after spending time at Georgia. He was a member of the Bulldogs’ 2024 recruiting class, ranked 247 nationally and 17th at his position, and he still has three seasons of eligibility left.
His college work to this point has been limited. In 2024 at Georgia, Easley appeared in two games before moving on to Purdue. He featured at left guard in the spring and is the clear frontrunner for that job entering camp.
The fit at Purdue makes sense on paper. Easley’s size and movement skills are part of why he ended up inside, even though left tackle was also a possibility. The staff sees him as an interior lineman who can use his feet and his ability to pull from the guard spot, and it now falls to Zac Crabtree to keep developing that skill set.
There’s plenty of upside here, and Purdue’s left side could be a real strength. Former 4-star Notre Dame recruit Joey Tanona is back at left tackle, giving the Boilermakers a pair of highly regarded pieces on that side. That’s why it wouldn’t be a surprise if offensive coordinator Josh Henson leans on the rushing attack there.
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Purdue Volleyball Sends A Clear Message Heading Into 2026
Purdue volleyball will have a familiar and accomplished trio front and center when the Big Ten stages its 2026 Volleyball Media Days in Chicago. Grace Heaney, Dior Charles and head coach Dave Shondell are set to represent the Boilermakers at the Aug. 3 event, which will air on the Big Ten Network and offer an early look at the conferences top programs heading into the next season.
For Purdue, the selection says plenty about where the program stands after a strong 2025 campaign. Heaney and Charles were key pieces of that success, giving the Boilermakers proven production at a time when the conference spotlight is only getting brighter, and Shondells presence ensures the team will be represented by one of the Big Tens most established voices as the offseason conversation turns toward 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Fans Wont Like Where Barry Odoms 2026 Rebuild Stands
CBS Sports is not giving Purdue much room to dream in Barry Odoms rebuild, slotting the Boilermakers at 3-9 and tied for last in the Big Ten in its 2026 projection. It is the kind of early forecast that can feel harsh, but it also reflects how far Purdue still has to climb after a rough stretch and how much the new staff is trying to change at once.
There are reasons to think the ceiling could be a little higher than that. Purdue has upgraded through the transfer portal, beefed up both lines, and added depth at running back, wide receiver and in the secondary, while Ryan Browne enters his second full year as the starter with a better grasp of Josh Hensons offense. The bigger question is whether the Boilermakers can turn that paper improvement into actual progress before the schedule and the pressure start to pile up. [Read more 🡒]