Purdue Boilermakers & Head Coach Barry Odom” Announced Another Huge Portal Lose On A Key Player
Purdue transfer cornerback Earl Kulp shared on social media Tuesday that he has committed to Temple University. He made a visit to Temple’s North Broad Street campus last week.
A native of Ohio, Kulp appeared in just one game during his true freshman season in 2024—Purdue’s opener against Indiana State. He preserved his redshirt status and participated in spring practices with the Boilermakers before entering the transfer portal three weeks ago.
Although born in Canton, Earl Kulp went to high school in South Florida, where he played on three state championship teams across two different schools. He concluded his high school career at national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, earning a three-star rating from 247Sports before committing to Purdue in June 2023.
Ahead of his senior season at St. Thomas Aquinas, Kulp was evaluated by 247Sports Scouting Director Andrew Ivins.
Ivins described Kulp as a raw defensive back with limited varsity experience but possessing traits that many college programs find highly desirable. He noted Kulp’s long arms and his transfer to Miami Central as a junior, where he played cornerback in a talent-rich secondary.
According to Ivins, Kulp isn’t hesitant to use his hands to disrupt receivers at the line, but he seems most effective in off coverage, showing a strong ability to read routes and position himself well. While he recorded four pass breakups as a junior, Ivins emphasized that converting those plays into interceptions will be key for Kulp to make a significant impact at the college level.
Ivins also pointed out that Kulp needs to add muscle to his slender build and should be considered a developmental prospect at corner or safety. He suggested that while Kulp may require a few years to fully develop, he has the potential to make major strides as a senior, especially after standing out during winter 7-on-7 competitions.
Kulp spent the 2022 season at Miami Central High School, helping the team win a state championship, after previously attending St. Thomas Aquinas as a sophomore. He also excelled in track and field.
Listed at 6-foot, 187 pounds on Purdue’s fall roster, Kulp joins a Temple program that has made defensive backs a priority during the spring transfer window. The Owls have also added Samford transfer Dontae Pollard, who has one year of eligibility, and Slippery Rock transfer Dashawn “Pooh” Lawton, who has two.
Head coach K.C. Keeler emphasized the need for more experience in the secondary following spring practices, acknowledging the cornerback group’s raw ability but lack of game reps. “There’s some talent there, it’s just a lot of inexperience,” Keeler said. “It’s going to be a big summer for (cornerbacks coach) Henry Baker… They need to play more football.”
“We might consider adding another player at that position—not due to a lack of numbers, but because we feel it’s important to bring in someone who can compete for a starting spot. That said, I do like the talent we already have; there’s definitely some ability in that cornerback group.”
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