Old National Presents: 3-2-1 of Purdue football
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Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s time for the 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.
Three things learned
1 – Ryan Walters has his game-face on
In coaching parlance, the Purdue boss is “dialed in.” He is none too pleased with his 4-8 debut in 2023. It’s only April, but his whole vibe makes it seem like September.
“We were sitting at home on the holidays, so (the players’) asses better be eager to go because nobody wants to go 4-8 again,” Walters said last week.
“We hear all the noise, all the talk about being 18 out of 18 (in the Big Ten) and all the projections and all that stuff out there. So, if they weren’t eager to be out here, they wouldn’t be in a locker room, I can promise you that.”
Walters is all-business.
2 – Better corners
Make no mistake about it: The Boilermakers have amped up the talent level at cornerback by importing Georgia’s Nyland Green and Colorado’s Kyndrich Breelove. It would not be a shock to see each start, with Green at a corner spot and Breedlove at the “star” position.
The staff also likes how Derrick “Duda” Rogers is developing. He flashed as a true freshman in 2023; he’s now bigger and more savvy. And Markevious Brown also is back.
Bottom line: The CB talent has improved.
3 – Recruits rolling in
The staff has been playing host to a raft of recruits since spring ball started in March. Right now, it’s tough to tell who the next commit will come from in the Class of 2025. But, no doubt, the staff is getting some quality recruits on campus.
Purdue currently has five 2025 commits.
Two questions
1 – Can Purdue get in-state TE Brock Schott of Leo, Ind.?
It’s looking more and more like a long shot, as he seems to be trending for Ohio State and Miami (Fla.).
The ship also apparently has sailed on rush ends Mariyon Dye of Elkhart, Ind., and Damien Shanklin of Indy, who has not included Purdue in his final list of schools. The door remains ajar for Dye, but …
CB Mason Alexander of Hamilton Southeastern is still listening.
2 – Does Purdue have a shot at Zionsville WR Eugene Hilton?
It looks like Purdue and the son of the former Colts WR are mutually going their separate ways. Georgia is hot on his trail. He was slated to visit last Thursday but was a no-show.
The good news: The two in-state wideouts that Purdue is in on–JonAnthony Hall of Fishers and Lebron Hill of Hammond–it is in good position with, as well as in-state target OL Cam Gorin from Hamilton Southeastern.
One bold statement: Jahmal Edrine will be WR1
The 2023 Florida Atlantic transfer may have been the alpha wideout last season had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury in camp.
By all accounts, Edrine has attacked his rehab with aplomb and looked good in the winter as well as this spring.
He has been wearing a red jersey as a precaution. What take any chances? Despite being monitored, Edrine has flashed as a big target with plenty of swagger for a unit that imported three WRs from the portal in Georgia’s De’Nylon Morrissette and C.J. Smith along with UCLA’s Kam Brown. And JC Leland Smith will arrive in May.
