Position Analysis Quarterbacks

Players have arrived via the portal and players have left via the portal during an offseason filled with roster tumult. As the dust settles, let’s take a position-by-position look at how the Purdue roster shapes up. Next up: Quarterbacks.

MORE POSITIONS: Running backs

What we know

He’s back!

Ryan Browne left in December for North Carolina for what seemed like five minutes before making a u-turn back to West Lafayette. Not sure what went on in Chapel Hill for Browne. Doesn’t really matter. All that does matter is the fact Browne is back. (This is where I want to type “What can Browne do for Purdue?”, but I won’t.)

Browne’s return is welcomed, given the performance of the trio of quarterbacks Purdue brought in from the portal in December.

The 6-4, 210-pound Browne is a good fit for an offense that will lean on the QB run game. He’s also an infectious leader who is well-liked. His passing? It’s still emerging.

He showed promise last season at Purdue as a redshirt freshman. He played in eight games, making starts in October at Illinois and vs. Oregon–when Hudson Card was injured. 

Browne nearly delivered a win at Illinois, as the Boilermakers fell, 50-49, in OT. He threw for 297 yards (18-of-26 passing, 69 percent) and 3 TDs and ran for 118 yards on 17 carries (6.9 ypc) vs. the Illini. THAT’S the Browne the Boilermakers need.

Browne completed 43-of-76 passes (56.6 percentage) for 532 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in 2024. He also ran for 155 yards last season (3.1 yards per carry) during a beyond dreadful 1-11 campaign.

Also back: Bennett Meredith, who started a game in 2023. Truth be told, Meredith was the most impressive quarterback in the spring and certainly merits some consideration. I’ll just say this: It’s nice to have him around.

New faces

Purdue brought in three portal signal-callers in December, none of whom wowed: Malachi Singleton, Evans Chuba and EJ Colson.

Hence, the need to woo Browne back to the land of milk and honey in West Lafayette.

Singleton was the presumed favorite when the lid was taken off spring ball, but he lacked consistency and never seized the situation. Chuba has the most potential and is the best passer/runner, but he is too careless with the ball and needs more development. Colson? He’s already gone, reading the room and bolting for FCS Incarnate Word via the portal moments before Browne committed.

The only other scholarship quarterback is true freshman Garyt Odom, the youngest son of the head coach who went through spring ball.

Bottom line

Technically, the quarterback job is open. But, let’s be serious: This is Browne’s job to lose, no matter who tries to spin what.

When none of the quarterbacks who went through spring ball stepped up, a sense of urgency developed to find another option. Browne was the answer.

Browne is a swashbuckler who always gets the most out of his talent. Let’s see what the staff can scheme up to maximize his skills. If Browne flops, this offense could be in peril. Fingers are crossed.

Is he the answer? Dunno. But Browne offers a much needed commodity: Hope.

Still, he lacks experience, having started just two games and playing significantly in one other during his career. The only other QB on the Purdue roster who has made a start is Meredith, back in 2023 at Northwestern. Remember that?

Question: Why wasn’t a more seasoned signal-caller brought in via the portal? Even an option from the FCS ranks who had made a bunch of starts?

Who knows? Maybe efforts were made and they were rebuffed.

This is Purdue’s quarterback reality. Embrace it.

MORE: Offensive projected depth chart | Defensive projected depth chart | Special teams projected depth chart | Spring portal additions | Spring portal departures | 2025 Purdue roster