Assessing Purdue's spring portal needs
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Are you prepared for some transfer portal action? It’s coming, ready or not.
A 15-day spring transfer portal window officially opens Tuesday, April 16, and runs through Tuesday, April 30. (Graduate transfers must enter the portal by May 1.)
Purdue expects some of its current players to hit the portal at the conclusion of spring football, with the last practice taking place April 18. How many? Perhaps 5-8 will leave. Will any big names/key players pack up and leave after roles are further defined in spring football? Purdue saw 23 scholarship players depart during the 30-day window from December 4, 2023 to January 3, 2024.
While some players will be leaving West Lafayette this spring, others will be arriving to join the 14 scholarship players added via the portal last December/January.
What are Purdue’s needs in the transfer portal? A look at seven positions of possible need.
1 – Punter
This is a sure thing, as Purdue needs to replace Jack Ansell, who opted not to return for a fourth season.
There are no scholarship punters on campus now. This spring, Purdue is employing a walk-on in Bennett Boehnlein and Ben Freehill, who is primarily a kicker.
2 – Long snapper
Like punter, you can bank on the staff adding a long snapper with the departure of Nick Taylor.
There is one long snapper on the roster now: Daniel Hawthorne, who transferred to Purdue from Missouri prior to last year.
3 – D-line
Two big holes to fill with Malik Langham and Isaiah Nichols gone. The players on hand are a bit of a mixed bag.
Jeffrey M’Ba and Joe Anderson look like the presumptive starters to flank nose man Cole Brevard. Damarjhe Lewis is rounding into form after dealing with injury for a couple of years. Kentucky transfer Jamarius Dinkins is a big body. Joe Strickland is still seeking to make an impact.
Are there any special talents in this group? Any difference-makers? It seems a certainty that a d-lineman will be added.
4 – Star
This is a nickelback role: half cornerback, half safety.
Purdue looks like it has a starter at this spot in Colorado transfer Kyndrich Breedlove, a burner who began his career at Ole Miss. And Salim Turner-Muhammad has been practicing this spring after he missed all of last year with a hamstring issue following his transfer from Stanford. But, will he make it? Perhaps insurance is needed to bolster depth.
5 – Rush end
Kydran Jenkins is now an inside linebacker, though he figures to line up on occasion on the edge on passing downs. And Nic Scourton has transferred to Texas A&M. That’s a lot of sacks (combined 17.5) and TFLs (combined 30.5) gone from the edge.
Purdue responded by dipping into the portal for Shitta Sillah, CJ Madden and Jireh Ojata. And it’s hoped Will Heldt will break out as a sophomore.
But, maybe one more edge rusher is needed to fortify the ranks.
6 – Tight end
Purdue has the makings of a very good tandem in Max Klare and George Burhenn. And Drew Biber holds promise. But that trio is more lithe athlete than physical tight end.
What the unit lacks is a big, physical in-line tight end who can act as a de facto offensive lineman in short-yardage situations.
But, it has to be the right guy.
7 – Running back
Purdue has a good 1-2 punch in Devin Mockobee and Illinois transfer Reggie Love as the program moves on without Tyrone Tracy (eligibility expired) and Dylan Downing (transfer to Miami, Ohio).
Beyond Mockobee and Love are redshirt freshman Christian Womack (who has been hurt) and promising true freshman Jaheim Merriweather. Speedy redshirt freshman walk-on Elijah Jackson has been a pleasant surprise.
Is that enough?
