Purdue’s 2026 football schedule is loaded with defensive backs who can change a game in a hurry, and the list starts with a unanimous All-American from last season.
That top name was a First-Team selection by the AP in 2025 after putting up 31 tackles, seven pass breakups, and five interceptions. He led the Irish in picks, and that total tied for seventh nationally.
The Irish show up again with another impact defender who made 53 tackles, added three tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions and five pass breakups last season. It will be his third year as a starter in South Bend.
There’s also a second Notre Dame defensive back who started 15 of 16 games for the national champions in 2025. He earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors while posting 48 tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions and 10 pass breakups.
Another Big Ten standout on the slate comes from a hybrid role. He plays CASH, a slot corner/linebacker mix, and turned in 71 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2025. The Second-Team All-Big Ten selection also posted an 83.5 PFF grade.
Indiana has another name worth watching in Sharpe, who has started for two years with the Hoosiers. He helped Indiana win the national title in 2025 with 50 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception and six pass breakups.
One veteran transfer addition for Washington appeared in all 14 games and made 10 starts for Virginia in 2025. He finished with 26 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups.
The schedule also includes a sure-tackling defender from Arizona State who had 42 stops, 2.5 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups last season. He’s expected to step in as a plug-and-play starter for Wisconsin’s secondary.
Another Wisconsin defender is Collins, a holdover from 2025 who was a Big Ten Honorable Mention. He started all 13 games and totaled 47 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
The list also features an All-ACC Honorable Mention from 2025 who piled up 78 tackles, four tackles for loss and a team-high nine pass breakups. He also spent time at strong safety.
Finally, one defensive back on the schedule was limited to just three games last season after suffering a right foot/ankle injury. In 2024, he was a First-Team All-Big Ten performer with 49 tackles, four interceptions, two tackles for loss and a sack, along with an 80.6 PFF grade.
In Other News...
Purdue Finally Gets Its First Real Look At Antione West Jr
Antione West Jr. spent last season redshirting, which meant Purdue fans have had to wait for a first real look at the guard in a game setting. That wait is nearly over, with the Boilermakers set to open a four-game exhibition trip in Canada, where West will get his first chance to show how he fits into Matt Painters rotation after a year of development behind the scenes.
West and Painter both addressed his role during a recent media session, and the early sense is that his value will come from more than just scoring. Purdue has spent the offseason sorting out how the young guard can help on both ends, and the bigger question now is how quickly he can translate that into consistent production once the games start to count for real. [Read more 🡒]
Matt Painter Just Turned Purdues Rotation Battle Into Real Drama
Purdues trip to Canada is shaping up as more than a summer getaway. Matt Painter said the games and practices will give younger, redshirted and less experienced players a chance to get real reps before the season, and he spent time walking through what that means for a group that includes Luke Ertel, Omer Mayer, Antoine West Jr., Enzo Shahrvin, Raleigh Burgess and Jacob Webber. For a roster still sorting out who can handle bigger roles, it is the kind of stretch that can speed up development in a hurry.
Painters comments also made clear that the rotation is not going to be handed out on reputation alone. Ertel is dealing with a heavy learning load, Mayer is entering a stage where mistakes are more forgivable, and West Jr. is expected to have the ball more while continuing to round out his game away from it. Burgess and Webber each bring specific skill sets, but the broader message was simple enough: Purdue wants production, and this trip may go a long way toward showing who can provide it. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Just Added Another Big Ten-Proven Piece For 2026
Purdue volleyball added another experienced voice to its staff for the 2026 season, with head coach Dave Shondell announcing the hire of Allison Jacobs ahead of another year that already carries real expectations in West Lafayette. Jacobs arrives with plenty of Big Ten familiarity, having starred at UCLA and then at Michigan, where she became a two-time first-team All-Big Ten outside hitter and built a reputation as one of the leagues more proven performers.
For a program that returns several key pieces from last season, the move gives Purdue another layer of experience as it starts preparing for August exhibition matches and the early push into the new year. Jacobs background in the conference should fit neatly with a roster that already knows what it takes to compete at that level, and her addition adds another interesting subplot to a team that will be watched closely once the 2026 season gets underway. [Read more 🡒]