Purdue expands 2027 Recruiting board

Purdue football expanded its 2027 recruiting board, offering seven new prospects in the class this week. GoldandBlack.com takes a first look at each of the new targets of Barry Odom and the Boilermakers.

Mason McDermott: 2027 four-star Noblesville (Ind.) offensive lineman

Purdue jumped into the mix for four-star Noblesville offensive lineman Mason McDermott this week, who was among the first offers by new offensive line coach Zach Crabtree. The in-state standout ranks second in the Rivals state rankings in Indiana.

McDermott is a mauler in the run game and serves as a stout blocker in pass protection.

“I’ve had the chance to meet and talk with the staff over the past year, and they’ve been great,” McDermott told Steve Wiltfong. “I’m getting more familiar with Coach Crabtree, and just from speaking with him, I feel like I could be successful at Purdue.”

McDermott holds offers from Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Cincinnati, Northwestern and several other Group of Six programs. The consensus top offensive lineman in Indiana in the class is now a prime target for the Boilermakers, however, and will be a name to watch moving forward.

Ja’Hyde Brown: 2027 four-star Christian Academy of Louisville (Ky.) wide receiver

Among Bilal Marshall’s first offers is four-star pass catcher Ja’Hyde Brown out of the Christian Academy of Louisville. Brown is set to announce his commitment next month, but the Boilermakers are jumping in the race now. The Louisville native also holds offers from Indiana, Alabama, Wisconsin, Auburn, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt and others.

After a great conversation with @Coach__Lal I’m blessed to receive an ⭕️FFER from Purdue @BoilerFootball
⬛️🟨⬛️ @TomLoy247 @AABonNBC @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong_ @centurions_fb @Aspirationsgym pic.twitter.com/lLKPwIWRdM

— Ja’Hyde Brown 4️⃣⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@JaHeisman) December 17, 2025

Joakim Gouda: 2027 South Paulding (Ga.) linebacker

One of three linebackers offered by the Boilermakers this week, Georgia native Joakim Gouda netted an offer from Purdue. Gouda is a rising prospect in the 2027 cycle, holding offers from Vanderbilt, UNC, Pitt, West Virginia, Cincinnati and others.

The 6 feet, 2 inch linebacker excels at reading the field and exploding toward the football, where he consistently makes big time hits out in space. He is explosive and can be a weapon in the run game. He had 100 tackles, one tackle for loss and two sacks in nine games for South Paulding this fall.

Bryce Breeden: 2027 three-star Bridge City (Tx.) linebacker

The second linebacker is a familiar name and one that I thought could be offered during the fall, Texas standout Bryce Breeden. Breeden was on campus this season for a game day visit, but left without an offer. That materialized in December, when the Boilermakers extended him a scholarship this week.

Breeden played a lot on the edge and as an outside linebacker in Bridge City’s defense, where he was about as productive as it gets, tallying 109 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a junior.

The Bridge City star holds offers from Houston, Baylor, Texas Tech, Pitt, TCU, Arizona State, Arizona, Kansas, Utah, Kansas State, Northwestern and West Virginia, among others.

Case Alexander: 2027 four-star Washington (Okla.) linebacker

The third and final linebacker offered this week, is another good one. Four-star Oklahoma linebacker Case Alexander is a national name, with offers from Oklahoma, Iowa State, Michigan, Texas Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Baylor, Mizzou, Utah, TCU, Arizona State, SMU and others.

Avery Michael: 2027 Turlock (Calif.) offensive tackle

A big name to know moving forward. California offensive lineman Avery Michael had an existing relationship with new offensive line coach Zach Crabtree during his time at Fresno State. That pursuit will now shift to West Lafayette. Michael is an athletic body that can get out in space and move opposing defensive linemen.

He is a rising name to watch, with Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington and Purdue as schools to watch. A visit after the new year is in the cards and would be big for the Boilermakers’ new pursuit.

Wyatt Smith: 2027 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) defensive lineman

St. Thomas Aquinas defensive lineman Wyatt Smith earned an offer from the Boilermakers after his breakout junior campaign, where he amassed 115 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, along with 33 quarterback hurries.

Nebraska and Kentucky are his lone Power 4 offers outside of the Boilermakers, but expect that to change in the coming weeks and months, as he capitalizes on a strong fall. Guys like him don’t stay a secret for very long.