After a tough 2-10 season that included a winless Big Ten slate, Purdue’s offense is already looking toward the future-and that future is being shaped, in part, by a wave of transfer portal additions. Barry Odom and his staff hit the portal hard in their first offseason, and while the results didn’t always show up in the win column, several newcomers made a real impact. Here’s a closer look at the most influential offensive transfers from the 2025 season, ranked by their contributions on the field.
1. Michael Jackson III, WR
Purdue’s most dynamic offensive weapon wasn’t just a threat at wide receiver-he was electric in the return game as well. Jackson III led the team in receptions with 63, racking up 570 yards and a touchdown.
But his value extended beyond the stat sheet. He added 526 return yards, often flipping field position and giving a struggling offense a fighting chance.
In a year where explosive plays were hard to come by, Jackson III consistently delivered.
2. Nitro Tuggle, WR
The freshman wideout lived up to his name-flashing burst, toughness, and serious upside. Tuggle caught 34 passes for 500 yards and four touchdowns, showing a knack for making plays downfield and in tight coverage.
His breakout performance came against Indiana, where he posted five catches for 80 yards. With another offseason in the system, Tuggle looks poised to become the go-to guy in 2026-assuming the portal doesn’t bring in more competition.
3. Hank Purvis, OL
Purvis was a steady presence on an offensive line that had its ups and downs. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as Purdue’s top offensive lineman this season.
He showed versatility by playing both left and right guard, and his consistency in pass protection helped stabilize an otherwise inconsistent unit. Purvis is reportedly entering the portal again in January, but his contributions in 2025 were undeniable.
4. Bradyn Joiner, OL
Joiner took over the center position and didn’t look back. He was the second-highest graded lineman for the Boilermakers and proved to be an anchor in the middle of the line.
His ability to call protections and hold his ground against Big Ten defensive tackles was a bright spot in an otherwise tough year for the offense.
5. Malachi Singleton, QB
Singleton didn’t start the year as the top quarterback, but he found his role-and then some. Initially used in short-yardage and jumbo packages, he eventually stepped in for an injured Ryan Browne and got extended action late in the season, including a significant workload against Washington.
Singleton threw for 439 yards and five touchdowns against just two interceptions, completing 59% of his passes. He also added 202 rushing yards and a score, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
6. Corey Smith, WR
Smith didn’t rack up huge volume, but when he made plays, they were big ones. He caught a 60-yard bomb against Illinois and a 48-yard strike at Northwestern, finishing the season with 14 receptions for 247 yards and a touchdown.
His three-catch, 83-yard performance against Illinois hinted at what he could become in this offense. Like Tuggle, he’s a name to watch next season.
7. Malachi Thomas, RB
It wasn’t a banner year for Purdue’s ground game, but Thomas provided some stability, especially when Devin Mockobee went down. He ran for 243 yards on 4.3 yards per carry and added 11 catches for 99 yards.
His best performance came against Rutgers, where he posted 62 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards-showing he could contribute in multiple ways.
8. EJ Horton, WR
Horton quietly put together a solid season, catching 27 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown. His best game came against USC, where he hauled in five passes for 70 yards.
While not a primary option, Horton brought reliable depth to the wide receiver room and gave the offense another capable target.
9. **Jalen St.
John, OL** St.
John earned the starting left guard spot, but his performance didn’t quite match up to the rest of the line. According to PFF grades, he struggled more than his counterparts-though he was still more consistent than right tackle Bakyne Coly.
St. John’s size and experience gave Purdue some needed depth up front, even if the execution wasn’t always there.
10. Rico Walker, TE
Walker stepped up when George Burhenn went down and made the most of the opportunity. He posted nine catches for 100 yards-modest numbers, but a career-best season for the tight end.
He gave Purdue a reliable option in two-tight end sets and showed flashes of being more than just a blocker.
11. Christian Moore, TE
Used primarily as an extra blocker, Moore logged 236 snaps but earned a PFF grade of 48.9. He didn’t factor much into the passing game, but his presence was felt in the trenches, especially in short-yardage situations.
12. Christian Earls, TE
Earls saw even more action than Moore, playing 297 snaps. However, his PFF grade came in lower at 41.8.
Like Moore, he was used almost exclusively as a blocker and didn’t record any notable receiving stats.
Bottom Line:
Purdue’s season didn’t go as hoped, but the transfer portal additions laid the foundation for the future.
Jackson III and Tuggle gave the offense a spark, Singleton showed he can lead, and the offensive line found some building blocks in Purvis and Joiner. If the Boilermakers can retain some of these pieces-and add a few more through the portal-2026 could be a different story entirely.