Odom looking to bolster 2026 class

Recruiting never sleeps. For Barry Odom and Purdue football, the latest happenings revolve around filling out the 2026 class. That quest has seen several new offers dished out to this cycle’s senior class, in hopes of bolstering both sides of the trenches, as well as the wide receiver position for the Boilermakers.

GoldandBlack.com breaks down the new names to know for Purdue on the 2026 recruiting front.

Three-star Carmel (Ind.) EDGE Dane Bathurst (Duke commit)

A name Purdue fans may remember from the previous regime. The Florida native, who moved to Carmel for his senior year, was offered by the prior coaching staff and Jake Trump extended another for the rising EDGE rusher last week.

Bathurst has been a name on flip watch for the Blue Devils and it certainly looks like that’s the direction his recruitment is trending. Purdue and Vanderbilt both offered, while Louisville has also been in the mix to lure him away from Durham.

The talented defender will visit Vanderbilt over the weekend and is unsure of making a trip to West Lafayette, but has an easy opportunity to do so on November 8th, should he so choose.

La Porte (Ind.) Bishop Luers offensive lineman Jonas Muya

Another in-state target that has emerged is an intriguing one, Bishop Luers offensive lineman Jonas Muya. The basketball standout turned Power 4 football prospect was on campus for the Illinois game and was subsequently offered by Vance Vice and staff.

Muya is 6-foot-7 inches, and has the hoops background to make for an athletic lineman at the collegiate level, with the upside is oozing from the northern Indiana product. Minnesota has taken notice of that, as well, and will host him for an official visit next weekend. West Virginia is also in the mix after a recent offer from Rich Rod and company.

Of all the players on this list of new offers, Muya is the most likely to land in West Lafayette. That being said, its still a fierce battle between the Gophers, Boilermakers and Mountaineers.

Three-star Richmond (Va.) Benedictine wide receiver Jojo Johnson (Coastal Carolina commit)

The newest addition to the 2026 board for Purdue is Coastal Carolina commit and Virginia wide receiver Jojo Johnson, who was offered on Tuesday night. Johnson was also offered by Michigan State, as Big Ten programs look to flip him.

It’s early with Johnson, but do not be surprised to see the Boilermakers get him on campus for an official visit in the near future. Purdue is looking for another pass catcher to add to the existing tandem of Brandon Kinsey and Kymistrii Young in the 2026 class. Johnson, at 6-feet-4 inches, is a big body, which is something Purdue is prioritizing in the cycle.

Four-star Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic offensive tackle Marlen Bright (Penn State commit)

Bright was among the first Penn State commits to receive a fresh offer from the Boilermakers after James Franklin was fired in State College. The New Jersey native remains committed to the Nittany Lions, but the uncertainty has forced him to explore other options, of which there are plenty.

The four-star tackle has already heard from or been offered by Purdue, Illinois, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Stanford, Washington and North Carolina. Illinois and Washington are the two programs best positioned to land Bright at this point, should he flip, but its not a forgone conclusion that he does.

Three-star Bear (Del.) Caravel Academy defensive lineman Isaac Chukwurah (Penn State commit)

A name that Purdue could be in the mix for is fellow Penn State commit and three-star defensive lineman Isaac Chukwurah. The Delaware standout netted an offer from the Boilermakers, who joined Miami, NC State, Syracuse, West Virginia in the mix of late. Chukwurah visited Syracuse last weekend and picked up an offer, but Purdue will look to get him on campus as well.

Three-star Taylor (Penn.) Riverside defensive lineman Tavian Branch (Penn State commit)

Being blunt, this one is highly unlikely. Tavian Branch has seen several top flight programs come calling in the fallout of James Franklin’s dismissal and has seemingly already focused on a handful of teams that he will consider.

Per Steve Wiltfong, Branch will take official visits to Maryland (where he was committed until September), Ole Miss and Nebraska next month.

Four-star McDonald (Penn.) Fort Cherry safety Matt Sieg (Penn State commit)

The fourth and final (for now) Penn State commit on Purdue’s radar is four-star safety Matt Sieg. Like Branch, Sieg appears to have a core group of schools he is considering, while still being committed to the Nittany Lions. The Pennsylvania product visited Indiana last weekend and has upcoming trips to Pittsburgh and Notre Dame on the books.

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