As the 2025 college football regular season wraps up, it's a good time to take a closer look at how Purdue’s outgoing transfers fared after leaving West Lafayette. The Boilermakers saw a significant wave of departures this past offseason, and while not every player found the spotlight, several made meaningful contributions at their new homes. From quarterbacks to offensive linemen and defensive backs, here’s a position-by-position breakdown of how these former Boilermakers performed across the country.
Quarterbacks
Marcos Davila (Nebraska)
Davila saw limited action in two blowout wins over Akron and Houston Christian but didn’t record any stats. It was a quiet year for the young signal-caller, though the experience in a Power Five program could still prove valuable down the line.
EJ Colson (Incarnate Word)
Colson made the most of his fresh start, throwing for 2,142 yards while completing 70% of his passes.
He added 16 touchdowns to just four interceptions and chipped in 287 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. In ten games, Colson showed real dual-threat ability and poise-an impressive leap in his development.
Running Backs
Elijah Jackson (Ball State)
Jackson’s role was limited, totaling just 17 rushing yards and one 37-yard reception over three appearances. While the touches were few, he showed flashes of explosiveness when given the opportunity.
Wide Receivers
Jaron Tibbs (Kansas State)
Tibbs carved out a steady role in the Wildcats’ offense, hauling in 47 receptions for 595 yards and three touchdowns. He became a reliable target, especially in intermediate routes, and showed strong hands in contested situations.
Leland Smith (San Jose State)
Smith put together a breakout season with 43 catches for 688 yards and three touchdowns. He had four 100-yard games, flashing big-play potential and consistency as a deep threat.
Jahmal Edrine (Virginia)
Edrine was a steady contributor for the Cavaliers, catching 42 passes for 526 yards and a touchdown. He was a key part of Virginia’s passing attack, often working as a possession receiver.
Shamar Rigby (Oklahoma State)
Rigby added depth to the Cowboys’ receiving corps, finishing with 25 receptions for 351 yards and a score. He showed flashes of upside, especially in open space.
CJ Smith (Memphis)
Smith didn’t make much noise offensively but contributed on special teams, recording two tackles across 11 games.
Donovan Hamilton (Ball State)
Hamilton was a consistent presence in the rotation, catching 20 passes for 244 yards over 12 games. He provided reliable depth and moved the chains when called upon.
Nathan Leacock (North Carolina)
Leacock saw limited action, catching five passes for 48 yards in nine games. His role could expand with more time in the Tar Heels’ system.
Jayden Dixon-Veal (Cal)
Dixon-Veal made the most of his limited opportunities, catching four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown in eight games.
Isaiah Meyers (Western Kentucky)
Meyers had just two receptions for 43 yards, but showed some downfield potential in a small sample size.
Tight Ends
Max Klare (Ohio State)
Klare became a key piece in the Buckeyes’ offense, catching 43 passes for 448 yards and two touchdowns. He emerged as a dependable safety valve and showed the ability to stretch the field from the tight end spot.
Drew Biber (Minnesota)
Biber contributed in the Gophers’ offense with 18 catches for 136 yards. He played a supporting role but showed solid blocking and hands.
Tayvion Galloway (Middle Tennessee)
Galloway played in all 12 games, starting twice, and caught two passes for 22 yards. While his receiving numbers were modest, his availability and presence in the lineup speak to his value as a role player.
Offensive Line
Mahamane Moussa (Louisville)
Moussa showed versatility, starting at both tackle spots and logging time at right guard. He earned a 58.4 grade from PFF, reflecting a season of ups and downs, but also valuable experience across multiple positions.
Anthony Boswell (Toledo)
Boswell was a rock in the middle for Toledo, starting at center and logging 744 snaps. His 75.0 PFF grade speaks to a strong season anchoring the Rockets’ offensive line.
Jalen Grant (NC State)
Grant started at center for the Wolfpack, playing 785 snaps and earning a 62.9 PFF grade. He held his own in the trenches and gave NC State a steady presence up front.
Jimmy Liston (Utah State)
Liston was a workhorse for the Aggies, starting all 12 games and logging 836 snaps. He earned a 66.6 PFF grade, providing consistency and durability in the middle.
Joshua Sales Jr. (Austin Peay)
Sales was a standout at both tackle spots, starting all 12 games and earning First-Team All-United Athletic Conference honors. His versatility and dominance made him one of the top performers among Purdue’s outgoing transfers.
Rod Green (Charlotte)
Green played in 10 games and logged 199 snaps at right guard, earning a 61.3 PFF grade. He added depth and experience to Charlotte’s offensive front.
Jaden Ball (Minnesota) and Jaekwon Bouldin (Mississippi State)
Both linemen saw limited action, appearing in just one game each.
DJ Wingfield (USC)
Wingfield did not receive an extra year of eligibility and has taken legal action regarding his status.
Mo Omonode (Minnesota)
Omonode missed the season due to a season-ending injury.
Defensive Line
Will Heldt (Clemson)
Heldt had a breakout year, starting all 12 games and racking up 38 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He was a force off the edge and gave Clemson a disruptive presence in the backfield all season long.
Cole Brevard (Texas)
Brevard contributed 18 tackles and one tackle for loss. He provided depth in the Longhorns’ defensive interior.
Jeffrey M’Ba (SMU)
M’Ba was a standout for the Mustangs, posting 42 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. He was a consistent playmaker and a disruptive force up front.
Caleb Irving (Charlotte)
Irving played in ten games and recorded 14 tackles, giving Charlotte a rotational piece on the defensive line.
Joe Strickland (Liberty)
Strickland saw action in all 12 games, finishing with five tackles and one sack.
Aaron Roberts (Ball State) and Damarjhe Lewis (SMU)
Roberts played on special teams in 12 games, while Lewis appeared in two contests.
Linebackers
Yanni Karlaftis (Northwestern)
Karlaftis played in five games and made 11 tackles. While his role was limited, he remained a physical presence when on the field.
Defensive Backs
Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
Thieneman had a productive season in the Ducks’ secondary, tallying 67 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and four pass breakups. He was a reliable tackler and showed strong instincts in coverage.
Derrick Rogers (Florida Atlantic)
Rogers contributed 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups. He gave FAU some solid snaps in the secondary.
Koy Beasley (Miami [OH])
Beasley was active all year, recording 36 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and six pass breakups. He was all over the field and made plays in both run support and coverage.
Kyndrich Breedlove (Arizona State)
Breedlove added 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and four pass breakups, showing versatility and physicality in the Sun Devils’ secondary.
Botros Alisandro (Old Dominion)
Alisandro contributed 31 tackles and four pass breakups, carving out a solid role on the back end.
Anthony Brown (South Alabama)
Brown made seven tackles and broke up one pass in 11 games. He was mostly a rotational piece in the Jaguars’ secondary.
Nyland Green (Arizona State)
Green appeared in 12 games and made three tackles.
Luke Williams (Austin Peay)
Williams played in all 12 games and recorded nine tackles.
Earl Kulp (Temple)
Kulp saw action in seven games, making five tackles.
Tarrion Grant (Texas Tech) and Ty Hudkins (Iowa)
Neither player saw the field this season.
Final Thoughts
Purdue’s outgoing transfer class was a mixed bag, but several former Boilermakers made the most of their new opportunities. From breakout stars like Will Heldt and EJ Colson to steady contributors like Max Klare and Anthony Boswell, it’s clear that talent from West Lafayette found ways to shine across the college football landscape. While not every move paid immediate dividends, the