Purdue Offseason Tracker: There is a rebuild brewing in West Lafayette
Previewing Purdue’s Outlook for 2024, A rebuilding phase is underway in West Lafayette.
Two years earlier, the Purdue Boilermakers made it to the Big Ten Championship following a 6-3 record in the Big Ten West. However, in the subsequent season under first-year head coach Ryan Walters, the team regressed significantly, finishing at 4-8 and landing in fifth place in the Big Ten West.
Here’s an early assessment of what to expect from the Boilermakers in the upcoming 2024 season.
2023 record: 4-8, 3-6
2024 projected wins: 4.5 (per DraftKings)
Key draft losses: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Giants) and DB Sanoussi Kane (Ravens)
Key portal losses: DE Nic Scourton, WR Deion Burks, WR TJ Sheffield, WR Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen, LB OC Brothers, OL Josh Kaltenberger, DL Khordae Sydnor, TE Garrett Miller, RB Dylan Downing, LB Domanick Moon, K Julio Macias, LB Clyde Washington
Key portal additions: OL Corey Stewart, OL DJ Wingfield, OL Joey Tanona, OL Rod Green, DL Jamarius Dinkins, DE Shitta Sillah, OL Jaekwon Bouldin, DE CJ Madden, RB Reggie Love III, WR Kam Brown, OL Joshua Sales, DE Jireh Ojata, CB Nyland Green, WR De’Nylon Morrissette, WR C.J. Smith
Team Assessment
Purdue’s improvement is crucial after the struggles of 2023 to avoid a challenging season. Following a Big Ten West title with a 4-8 season is not the trajectory any program desires, especially with tougher competition ahead due to the addition of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington.
To address this, the Purdue coaching staff secured commitments from 14 transfer portal players, two JUCO transfers, and a promising recruiting class. Quarterback Hudson Card now has a full season of experience in the offense, and running back Devin Mockobee is set to lead the ground game, which was the most effective aspect of Purdue’s offense last season. However, the defense, with only five returning starters, needs significant improvement.
Card, who transferred from Texas, showed promise last season by ranking third in the Big Ten for passing yards per game. The coaching staff expects him to continue progressing in his second season.
The team’s hope lies in Mockobee, who has been a strong performer in the rushing and passing game. However, Purdue must fill the void left by key departed receivers, even though tight end Max Klare and transfer CJ Smith provide options.
On the defensive side, Purdue faces significant changes with only five returning starters. The coaching staff relies on new talents like Georgia transfer CJ Madden and seasoned players like Cole Brevard and Jeffrey M’Ba to step up.
Safety Dillon Thieneman stands out as a key returning player, while the addition of Georgia transfer cornerback Nyland Green Jr. is expected to bolster the secondary.
Purdue faces a tough schedule that includes matchups against Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Oregon, leading to tempered expectations for the upcoming season.
