Purdue announced the signing of 40 total players on Wednesday, that number includes 29 transfers and 11 from the high school ranks. Purdue head coach Barry Odom talked extensively about the Boilermakers signing class.
Boiler Sports Report summarizes what Odom said during Wednesday’s press conference.
– Signed 40 total players, transfers (29) and high schools players (11). Says he thinks those numbers will remain consistent going forward. Mentioned the last two cycles he was a part of, he signed 50 and 55. Ability to adapt and manage roster is vital to the health of a program.
- 35 of the 40 signees have already started with them mid-year. Entered week three of their conditioning program this week. Will go another three weeks of conditioning, then will transition into “winning edge” program that is something he learned from Gary Pinkel. Big step in development of speed, change of direction, and playing each position then will get ready for spring practice.
– Had 19 states reflective in the places they’ve recruited, plus two from Canada. If you draw a six-hour radius around West Lafayette, you can be in a lot of places. Mentioned visiting with the high school coaches in that area during the recruiting period in January. Thinks they can build an elite roster and program with players in that radius.
- The balance of who they signed was to address specific needs of the current roster and being aggressive on targeting guys they knew something about. Expects to be really aggressive in the next portal window. Recruiting is every single day.
– Excited about the 40 young men they signed and the 35 that are already on campus. Excited about the work they have to do going forward to put together the best team possible this upcoming season.
- Recruits wanted to know about him and their staff and what the program is going to look like. Also wanted to know how they are going to play winning ball and get it fixed. Thought those were honest questions. Had a track record of how they’ve done it before and how they’ll do it again.
– With transfers, wanted to add more length at the receiver position. Defensively, brought in linebackers that they’ve either known or coached previously. Brought in guys that like the process of playing football. Seems elementary, but everyone loves the recruiting process, everyone loves the photo shoot, and everyone likes Saturday afternoon when you play. Wanted to find guys that are willing to do what it takes 12 months out of the year.
– Communication, openness, and honesty is important with everyone in your building. You can fast-track that a little more by getting guys you’ve coached previously and them knowing the processes of how things are ran and what the next steps are.
– On quarterback signees: It’s the most important in sport. There is a little bit of familiarity with all four of the guys they brought in. All four have the ability to be dual-threat players. Mentioned familiarity with recruiting Malachi Singleton at Arkansas and play was validated by other coaches that came over and his performances against Ole Miss and Tennessee this past season. Expects great competition this spring.
– Mentioned setting a spring practice plan that will give everyone an equal amount of reps. Said right now they are short a couple of positions to be able to have the practice structure they need to have that they’ll have in fall camp.
– Said he wanted all of his former UNLV players that entered the portal. Didn’t have a roster spot for some of them at the time, some decided to go somewhere else. Every player he’s ever coached, he wants them to have great success.
- On defensive back transfers: Mentioned position flexibility was important. Guys that can play corner and safety. Mentions they don’t have any that can play safety and then corner, it’s a more difficult thing for them to do. Expects some to play nickel in certain packages as well as linebacker depending on situations. Looked at ability to win in this league, how many positions can they play, can you play man or zone or both, do they have the IQ where they can teach them to play the match zone concepts, are they tough, are they dependable. Their DB’s have to be tacklers, they have to fit in the box, they gotta blitz, they gotta cover man and zone, there are times where they’ll go cover zero. Does see the development in that group with what they saw in recruiting.
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