Ryan Walters also Discusses the ‘Chip’ on Purdue’s Shoulder as They Approach the 2024 Season
The Purdue Boilermakers are determined not to have a repeat of last season. To avoid this, second-year head coach Ryan Walters has brought in 37 transfer players.
“I know 4-and-8 sucks, and I don’t want to ever go through that again,” Walters said on Tuesday at Big Ten Media Days. “I just feel like guys are operating the way you’re supposed to operate when you’re trying to compete for a championship.”
Both Walters and senior quarterback Hudson Card are growing more comfortable as they begin their second seasons in West Lafayette.
“Some of the best teams that I’ve been a part of, you have that brotherhood in the locker room and you play for one another,” Card said. “I really do believe that goes a far way. This is one of the tightest locker rooms that I’ve been a part of, so usually that’s a good recipe.”
Getting Purdue back to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Big Ten Championship will be a challenging journey. The Boilers were ranked last by the media on Monday in the newly expanded 18-team conference. However, Walters sees this as extra motivation for his team.
“You go 4-and-8, you’re going to have a chip on your shoulder. You’re going to feel like you have something to prove,” Walters said. “Specifically with the guys that we added from the portal, they have a chip on their shoulder as well. They feel like they have something to prove. You get those types of guys together that love ball and feel like they need to earn respect, coupled with 18 out of 18, that just adds fuel to the fire.”
“We just try to keep a chip on our shoulder, and try to put our head down and work,” senior linebacker Kydran Jenkins said. “After we break it down, we’re like ‘We. Work.’ That’s the mentality we’re going to use going into the season.”
Purdue faces the 11th toughest schedule in the nation this year, which Walters views as a good thing.
“Challenging situations bring chances to achieve something remarkable and build a legacy. I believe we have the opportunity to do exactly that,” Walters said.
Ryan Walters Discusses the Motivating ‘Chip’ on Purdue’s Shoulder as They Gear Up for the 2024 Season
Ryan Walters isn’t focused on the fact that Purdue has been predicted to finish last in the Big Ten this upcoming season. Instead, he has discussed this with his team, hoping it will serve as extra motivation as they prepare for the 2024 college football season.
In the preseason polls from Cleveland.com and USA Today, Purdue was projected to come in last in the new 18-team conference, following a 4-8 record in 2023.
Walters mentioned that he and his coaching staff aren’t dwelling on these preseason predictions, but he did bring it up with the team, and it seems to be providing some inspiration.
“I definitely feel like there’s a chip on everyone’s shoulder in the building,” Walters said at Big Ten Media Days. “We’re all here to compete. The three things we talk most about in our program are competitive, selfless and disciplined with competitive being at the forefront.
“So, when you go 4-8, you better have a chip on your shoulder. I feel like the guys we brought in feel like they have something to prove, as well. Definitely use it as motivation. Can’t really pay attention or harp on it too much, but we’re not going to turn a blind eye to the elephant in the room. We definitely addressed that as a team.”
Purdue’s low ranking may not solely stem from talent or coaching skills. While Ryan Walters is just beginning his second season as a head coach, concerns about the Boilermakers’ challenging schedule are contributing to doubts about their prospects for the upcoming season.
The Boilers are set to face Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State, all of which are expected to finish in the top three of the Big Ten. Additionally, in nonconference games, Purdue will host Notre Dame on September 14 and travel to Oregon State on September 21.
In conference play, Purdue will also compete against Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan State, and Indiana.
Though Walters is only in his second year in West Lafayette, the disappointment of a 4-8 record last season has stayed with him all offseason. This lingering frustration appears to be fueling his drive for success in 2024.
“I know 4-8 sucks,” Walters said. “I don’t ever want to be here again.”
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