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Purdue Football: How 2023 Freshmen fared

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George Burhenn
True freshman tight end George Burhenn enjoyed a "breakout" game of sorts (Chad Krockover)

On Thursday, December 20, Purdue will receive letters of intent from its 2024 recruiting class. Ryan Walters’ first full recruiting class currently ranks 10th out of the 18 programs in the Big Ten, and the Boilermakers will hope for an immediate impact from the group.

While Purdue’s 2023 class did not rank highly, it did see several members contribute as true freshmen. Today, we review each member of the 2023 class and look at their production this fall.

WINSTON BERGLUND

The Carmel Greyhound alum redshirted in 2023 and did not see the field in any games.

ARHMAD BRANCH

A late add to the class of 2023, Branch played in just one game, two snaps against Northwestern, allowing him to redshirt.

RYAN BROWNE

When Hudson Card couldn’t play against Northwestern, Browne split reps with Bennett Meredith. The true freshman completed 12 of 16 passes for 104 yards, throwing a pair of interceptions in the loss. Having played in just one game, he maintained his redshirt status.

GEORGE BURHENN

Burhenn saw the field in 11 games, lining up for snaps at tight end in seven of them. He played a total of 118 snaps, snagging five passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.

DRAKE CARLSON

The Nashville native did not play in any games in 2023, allowing him to redshirt and maintain four more seasons of eligibility.

ETHON COLE

The freshman defensive back did not play in any of Purdue’s games, allowing him to use his redshirt status. He will have four more years of eligibility.

OWEN DAVIS

A freshman linebacker from Ohio, Davis did not appear in any games in 2023. He will have four more years of eligibility after using his redshirt.

MONDRELL DEAN

Dean only played in one game for Purdue, keeping his redshirt status. Dean entered the transfer portal on December 8.

ZION GUNN

The cornerback did not see any action in 2023, using his redshirt. Gunn entered the transfer portal on December 4.

JAMARRION HARKLESS

After committing to Purdue after Ryan Walters became the head coach, Harkless did not appear in any games for the Boilermakers in 2023 and redshirted. He will have four more seasons of eligibility.

WILL HELDT

A true freshman from Carmel, Heldt played in all 12 games for the Boilermakers in 2023. He saw a total of 138 snaps at outside linebacker, recording eight tackles on the season.

JIMMY LISTON

The Purdue legacy did not play in 2023, taking his redshirt year to develop on the offensive line. He will have four more years of eligibility.

DERRICK ROGERS JR.

Thrust into action following Marquis Wilson’s injury, Rogers played in all 12 games, seven of them included action at corner. He played 278 snaps at cornerback as a true freshman, recording six tackles and breaking up three passes.

RYNE SHACKELFORD

Shackelford did not see the field in 2023, allowing him to redshirt. He will have four more years of eligibility remaining.

JARON TIBBS

The wideout from Indianapolis saw the field in eight games, lining up at wide receiver for 130 snaps. He caught five passes for 42 yards on the season.

DILLON THIENEMAN

The shining star of Purdue’s 2023 class, Thieneman started all 12 games at safety, playing a team-high 814 snaps. He finished third in the nation with 74 solo tackles and second with six interceptions. He set the school record for freshmen in both categories.

After the season concluded, Thieneman was named the Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year, earned all-conference honors and was named a third team All-American by the Associated Press.

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