GoldandBlack.com Saturday Simulcast: Purdue football analysis and more
Purdue football recruiting, National Signing Day and state-of-the-program analysis in our weekly show. Just to let you know, the next two weeks (Dec. 13 and Dec. 20) Saturday Simulcast will in conjunction with Brian Neubert’s post-game wrap video.
Purdue football is fresh off inking its 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday, as Barry Odom and company locked in 21 new Boilermakers for next season and beyond. The class has several intriguing members and storylines that filled the cycle. GoldandBlack.com hands out our Purdue National Signing Day superlatives, a day after all the ink dried.
Purdue signing class Crown jewel: Jett Goldsberry
Jett Goldsberry could fit into a few of these categories, being the biggest name and land of the class. We’ll talk more about the flip from Ole Miss to Purdue later, but Barry Odom identified Goldsberry as a priority early on and eventually lands an intriguing talent from southern Indiana.
Goldsberry is a frontrunner for the Indiana Mr. Football award, and for good reason. The Heritage Hills star was a standout on both sides of the ball, racking up 3,372 total yards and 56 touchdowns as a quarterback, as well as 45 tackles, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks on defense.
That campaign could see Goldsberry become the fifth Mr. Football winner in the state to play for the Boilermakers straight out of high school. That list currently includes Brady Allen (2021), Markell Jones (2014), Jason Werner (2004), and Desmond Tardy (2003).
“I’m thrilled to have a chance to coach him. Was able to watch him play in person on our second bye week, in his semifinal game, he played every snap almost of the game, you know, quarterback on offense, and played every snap of defense that he could. And just the tenacity he plays with, he’s explosive, [he] is a special player. And for us to be able to keep him in state and be part of who we are going forward, we’re excited about the versatility he has, the play making skills he has, and the way he plays the game,” Odom said.
Goldsberry will line up somewhere in the secondary for Purdue. Where exactly could be up in the air, but expect him to make his presence felt early in his career for the Boilermakers.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Blake Baker
Decides between LSU, Tulane
- 2
Iowa State wastes no time
Makes surprise HC hiring
- 3
Matt Campbell
Penn State hires new HC
- 4Hot
Georgia seeking damages
From Missouri transfer DE
- 5Trending
Confirmed Bowl Games
Full list of postseason matchups
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Other contenders: Katrell Webb, Josiah Hope
Day one contributor: Izaiah Wright
I was asked on Wednesday, which players could I see potentially playing in year one? The top answer is running back signee Izaiah Wright. The most productive commit this fall, amassing 2,188 yards and 31 scores on the ground, all he does is do what you need him to on the field.
And Barry Odom agrees.
“I do think the way he runs, pad level, toughness. I do think he’s got some speed, really, really good vision, and he’s built physically like a guy that can come in and help us right away. And he’s got the right demeanor, I think he’s got the right mindset, he won’t shy away from past protection. Just think he’s got a lot of those qualities early on, that in his favor, can help him out,” Odom said.
Wright has the tools to be an every down back at Purdue, as he can pick up tough yards in short yardage, break off big runs, catch the ball out of the backfield and is stout in pass protection. Check all the boxes.
Furthermore, when you look at the current state of the backfield, opportunities are up for the taking. Antonio Harris and Jaron Thomas are the lone scholarship returners in the group, with Devin Mockobee and Malachi Thomas graduated and Jaheim Merriweather expected to enter the transfer portal.
