Old National Presents: The 3-2-1: Unknowns loom as rev share era beckons.

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 – QB search

Staffers could begin calling recruits in the Class of 2027–high school juniors-to-be–on Sunday. And, it was a busy day for Purdue coaches on Father’s Day.

The staff has myriad offers out to 2027 kids but no commits as of yet. Perhaps the first to pledge in the class will be a quarterback, a position that usually jumps early.

One signal-caller on Purdue’s hot board: Kamden Lopati of Utah, who camped in West Lafayette recently.

“I think I fit great into their scheme, just really throwing it in with Coach (OC Josh) Henson, and just getting to know their offense on the board and stuff. I feel like I fit in pretty good,” Lopati told GoldandBlack.com. “Obviously, I throw the ball good, but I think I’m better as a leader, getting to know who I’m playing with. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Three other 2027 QBs being hotly pursued:

Daniel Mielke of La Verne (Calif.) Murrieta Valley
Israel Abrams of Lombard (Ill.) Montini Catholic
Teddy Jarrard of Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb

2 – Specialist camp

In addition to having a second team camp on Wednesday, Purdue also will have a specialist camp. But we don’t expected anyone to be hotly pursued.

Purdue’s current situation has sophomore kickers Spencer Porath and Seth Turner, along with redshirt freshman Sam Dubwig and fifth-year senior Jack McCallister at punter. Only McCallister will be out of eligibility.

3 – Looking far and wide

In netting 12 commitments thus far in the Class of 2026, Purdue has looked high and far. How high and far?

Nine states are represented: Indiana (OL James “Bam” Williams, OL Brock Brownfield), Ohio (CB Emoni Smith), Illinois (DE Max Carmicle, OL Rico Schrieber), Michigan (RB Izaiah Wright), LB Brayden Sweeney), Florida (WR Kymistrii Young), Mississippi (CB Raderrion “DD” Daniels), Georgia (S Dana Greenhow), Alabama (TE ArMari Towns), California (QB Corin Berry).

That shows the reach and connections of this staff. No doubt, more states figure to be added to the list of 2026 pledges.

Two questions

1 – More flips coming?

This staff has done a nice job flipping 2026 commits. So far, the count is three: Berry (Boston College); Smith (Louisville); Carmicle (Northern Illinois).

And Purdue may be poised to flip another in Kentucky DT Josiah Hope (Louisville). Another possible flip: Ohio DT Jamarcus Whyce (Louisville).

Purdue is being a pain to U of L.

2 – What will rev share look like?

I attended a recent panel discussion on revenue sharing and NIL at the Sigma Chi house. And, the participants answered some questions … but plenty remain.

One certainty: There will be plenty of lawsuits coming. They already have begun.

Most Purdue honchos sitting along Northwestern Avenue don’t have a clear picture of what this new world order will look like. Chief among the unknowns: How will schools divvy up the $20.5 million in rev share cash? And will the new NIL clearinghouse–NIL GO–really have teeth of enforcement in rubber-stamping NIL deals valued over $600?

The aforementioned NIL deals will be what separates schools. It’s pure folly to think Ohio State, Michigan and their likes will dip from a pool of money similar to Purdue to support their rosters.

Level playing field? Not a chance. College sports never has had a level playing field and probably never will. Those blue bloods don’t want to relinquish their advantage to make the college game truly equitably like the NFL.

HuskerOnline thinks local small business are unlikely to be able to make a significant impact with the amount they can contribute through NIL. Whatever schools can figure out a formula for how to work with their big business and corporate donors into NIL are going to get a leg up in this new world. They must create NIL deals that can get through the clearing house.

And, they will. Again, I don’t envision a place like Ohio State being told “no.”

One bold statement: Purdue will start two different QBs in 2025

Maybe this isn’t such a bold proclamation when you consider Purdue hasn’t had the same quarterback start every game in a season since David Blough did it in 2016. Every season since, the Boilermakers have had at least two different QBs start games.

Given the still developing situation under center for Purdue in 2025, it would not be a big shock to see two players get a chance to start games this season.