Purdue is only five practices into fall camp, but the secondary is already a major talking point for defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Charles Clark.
That makes sense. The Boilermakers finished 2025 with the Big Ten’s worst pass defense, giving up 241.7 yards per game through the air. After that kind of season, Purdue went straight to work in the transfer portal, loading up on talent, length and experience in hopes of turning that weakness into a strength by 2026.
Among the additions were Jade Mangham (Michigan), John Slaughter, Mister Clark (FIU), Justin Denson Jr. (Michigan State), Don Saunders (Utah) and John Slaughter (Colorado).
The goal wasn’t just to add names. Barry Odom wanted production, and Clark said the group fits what Purdue plans to do on defense.
"Yeah, adding guys with experience, and then also adding guys who fit what we do," he said. "We'll be attacking.
We'll play multiple coverages as far as style. So, guys who have played a lot, but also fit exactly what we do, not just a guy who was a name in the portal."
Size was another priority. Purdue finished last season with only four interceptions, one of the lowest totals in college football, and Clark pointed to the need for bigger bodies who can win more of those contested plays.
"We needed more guys with length so that some of those one-on-one ball that goes up, we have a true 50/50 opportunity to make that play," he said.
One of the most notable additions is three-star defensive back Jett Goldsberry, an in-state legacy recruit whose father, Jon Goldsberry, played at Purdue. Goldsberry had originally committed to Ole Miss, but Odom and his staff stayed in touch and flipped him in early December. He missed spring practice, though he has been cleared for fall camp, and Purdue is trying to get him caught up quickly.
"He's cleared to go and he looks good," Clark said. "We're kind of force-feeding him reps right now, just to see where he's at because he missed the spring. I knew he had the talent in high school."
Goldsberry could be one of the freshmen who work their way into the rotation and earn meaningful snaps in the secondary.
Purdue’s staff is also leaning hard into versatility. Clark said multiple players can handle more than one spot, which gives the Boilers room to mix and match while also helping on special teams.
"What we're doing right now is cross-training guys," Clark said. "This is the first time in my career that I probably have about six or seven guys who could be starters at multiple positions. What it allows us to do is, No. 1, play multiple guys, but No. 2, build up our special teams."
That kind of depth gives Purdue more than just lineup flexibility. It also provides cover if injuries hit, and Clark said he feels good about the number of players who can step in when needed.
In Other News...
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Purdues 2027 class already comes with a familiar kind of pressure for a program that has spent years setting a demanding standard at the high end of the Big Ten. The Boilermakers have commitments from two four-star prospects in center Isaiah Hill and point guard Kevin Savage III, and both bring the kind of talent that can shape a class before either player ever sets foot on campus. Their early profiles point to a frontcourt anchor and a lead guard with the tools to fit Purdues style, which is exactly the sort of foundation the staff wants to keep stacking.
Former Purdue player Rapheal Davis helped underscore why the excitement around both recruits has already started to build, praising their upside in a way that naturally invites big expectations. The rest, of course, depends on what the roster looks like by the time they arrive and how each prospect develops once the grind begins, but the early message is clear enough: Purdue is not simply recruiting future depth, it is collecting pieces that could eventually be asked to carry real weight. [Read more 🡒]
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Five practices into fall camp, Purdue is still sorting out a couple of the most important parts of its roster as it gets ready for the season opener against Indiana State. The Boilermakers are also trying to manage depth across the board, with injuries already thinning the room, while coaches have pointed to a defensive backfield that looks better and a plan to bring more aggression on that side of the ball this fall.
The bigger concern is up front and behind center, where the staff is still weighing its options before the depth chart settles. Purdue has not locked in all of its choices on the offensive line, and the backup quarterback situation remains open as camp continues, which makes the next stretch of August especially important for a team that wants cleaner answers before the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]