Barry Odom’s second season at Purdue is going to hinge on more than just broad improvement. The Boilermakers need progress everywhere, but three position groups stand out as the ones that can most directly determine whether 2026 looks different from the last few years in West Lafayette.
Up front, Purdue has done the heavy lifting to give itself a fighting chance. Odom and his staff attacked the trench problem through the transfer portal, bringing in 12-game starter Nuku Mafi from Oklahoma State, along with veteran South Carolina and Troy lineman Boaz Stanley and former USC lineman Micah Banuelos. All three arrived in the spring, giving the offense a chance to build some continuity early.
That matters because the line is the foundation for everything else. Purdue needs more from the running backs, better playmaking at receiver and steadier quarterback play, but none of it can really matter if the front doesn’t create a better push.
With Joey Tanona and Marques Easley back, the Boilermakers believe they have a starting five that blends size, experience and skill. The depth picture looks stronger too, with Ethan Trent and Jude McCoskey returning and Jatavius Shivers and Makai Saina joining the program.
Freshmen Rico Schrieber, Terrell Berryhill Jr. and Brock Brownfield are also names to watch if they push into the rotation.
On defense, the edge rushers are another group that has to level up. Purdue finished with 24 sacks and 64 tackles for loss last season, but most of that production came from the linebackers and defensive tackles.
The ends need to become a more disruptive force. One issue last year was simple: opposing quarterbacks had too much time, and that opened the door to explosive plays.
CJ Madden still hasn’t had his breakout season, but the staff believes he can be a major factor. Purdue also added Elo Modozie from Georgia and Keyshawn Burgos from Virginia Tech, moves that should deepen the room.
This group doesn’t have to lead the Big Ten in sacks, but it does need to create steady pressure, especially on third down.
Then there’s the secondary, the unit with the steepest climb. It was arguably Purdue’s weakest spot in 2025, and even if the pass rush played a part in that, the numbers were rough.
The Boilermakers ranked last in the Big Ten and 110th nationally against the pass, giving up 241.7 yards per game through the air. They picked off just four passes and allowed more completions of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60-plus yards than any team in the conference.
That’s the kind of stat line that forces a reset.
Hudauri Hines is the top returning piece in the defensive backfield, and Smiley Bradford could earn a meaningful role. But Purdue also brought in help, including former Michigan defensive back Jaden Mangham, ex-FIU standout Mister Clark, Don Saunders and John Slaughter. The additions were necessary, and the expectation is clear: this pass defense has to become much tougher and far more opportunistic.
In Other News...
Braden Smith Briefly Reopened A Purdue Scenario Fans Had To See
A recent court injunction has created a fresh layer of uncertainty for former student-athletes from the 2022 recruiting class, opening the door to a fifth season of college eligibility. For Purdue fans, it briefly brought back the familiar question of what Braden Smiths next step might look like, especially with the former Boilermakers point guard still sitting at the center of the programs recent rise and owning the NCAAs career assist record.
Purdues backcourt picture is already taking shape for the coming season, with returning guard Omer Mayer and incoming recruit Luke Ertel giving the staff options to work with. Another former Boilermaker, Loyer, could also be in play if he ends up being eligible, though he has not confirmed a decision, and the broader eligibility ruling only added a little more intrigue to a roster situation that was already worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue's Rebuilt Backfield Could Decide How Fast Barry Odom Changes Things
Purdue spent the offseason trying to remake its running back room, and the overhaul has a chance to shape how quickly Barry Odom can put his stamp on the offense. After leaning heavily into the transfer portal, the Boilermakers added Fame Ijeboi, Jerrick Gibson and Travis Terrell Jr. to a group that returns only Antonio Harris from last season, giving offensive coordinator Josh Henson more options than he had a year ago.
The bigger question is not just who handles the carries, but how Purdue chooses to use them. Odom and Henson have talked through the idea of multiple backs sharing the workload, a path that could make the running game more explosive and more dependable if the pieces fit together early in 2026. For a program looking for faster progress, the backfield may end up being one of the clearest signs of whether the rebuild is taking hold. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Volleyball Has The Depth To Aim Even Higher In 2026
Dave Shondell spent Big Ten Volleyball Media Day leaning into what Purdue has become under his watch: a team with enough returning pieces to believe it can keep climbing. The Boilermakers bring back 71% of last seasons production, including several starters, and that kind of continuity gives Purdue a real base as it looks to build on last years success and push for even more in 2026.
Dior Charles and Grace Heaney echoed that confidence, pointing to the depth that should make this group hard to pin down once the season gets rolling. The early schedule will not allow much time to ease in, with Creighton, Texas A&M and Georgia all waiting in the opening stretch, so Purdues ceiling may come down to how quickly that returning talent turns into an even deeper, more complete rotation. [Read more 🡒]