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Position Analysis: Receivers

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•05/20/25•

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(Krockover Photography)

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: Receivers.

MORE POSITIONS: Running backs | Quarterbacks | Offensive line

What we know

Out with the old, in with the new. No position has undergone more change. (That’s a repeated refrain.)

Purdue saw its top three pass catching wideouts exit via the portal: Jahmal Edrine, (Virginia) Jaron Tibbs (Kansas State) and Shamar Rigby (Oklahoma State). A raft of other receivers–none of whom were noteworthy–left, too, as this position was stripped to its studs.

The “top” veteran back is De’Nylon Morrissette, who arrived prior to 2024 from Georgia and caught 11 passes. The other name to know among holdovers: Arhmad Branch, a freaky athlete who continues to grow into the position.

Other than Morrissette and Branch, the ranks of the holdovers are devoid of any key returnees.

What we don’t know

Staffers responded to rampant defections by importing seven wideouts from the portal. How good are these guys? Any difference-makers?

The best of the bunch appears to be Nitro Tuggle, an in-state product who transferred from Georgia. Is he ready to realize his potential? Fellow Bulldog Michael Jackson has been there and done that. Like Tuggle, he was a spring commitment. Both could start in 2025.

Five portal receivers went through spring drills. Two already are gone: Nathan Leacock and Isaiah Myers. Those who still call West Lafayette home: Chauncey Magwood (UCF), Charles Ross (USC) and EJ Horton (Florida Atlantic) are keepers. Horton is a speedster.

David Washington (Utah) and Corey Smith (Tulsa) are two young spring commits who drip with intrigue. Washington could be a cut-above, while Smith figures to be a depth player.

Bottom line

The play of the wideouts in 2024 could be summed up in one word: Disappointing. There was a lack of development and attention to detail … an epic fail.

C.J. Smith of Georgia was supposed to fill the bill as an alpha wideout but fizzled due to injury and transferred to Memphis. Tuggle needs to be the No. 1 option Smith was not for a unit that has as many as seven legit options to rotate.

It’s up to new wideout coach Cornell Ford to extract all he can from a position that has added depth and speed. It was a lack of speed in 2024 that allowed defenses to often play zone coverage, knowing Purdue lacked the juice to run deep routes. It will be vital for these new receivers to take the top off defenses (or at least make them respect the deep ball) so there will be room for the run game to operate.

Long story short: The receivers have a lot to prove and are a great unknown. But, the potential is fascinating.

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

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