Recap: Latest on Purdue football recruiting

While Purdue football gears up for the start of fall camp later this week, Barry Odom and the Boilermakers are still working hard on the recruiting trail. GoldandBlack.com recaps the last week and looks ahead, including the quest for a 2027 quarterback, a new 2026 defensive line target, a key visitor expected in-season and more.

Top 2026 commit bolts for Louisville:

Last week, Purdue saw its top 2026 commit have another change of heart, this time at the expense of the Boilermakers. Four-star North Hardin (Ky.) defensive lineman Josiah Hope was once a Louisville commit that Barry Odom and company lured away from the Cardinals after an official visit to West Lafayette. Just over a month later, it was Louisville that turned the tables on the Boilermakers and flipped Hope back to his initial pledge.

The Boilermakers and Cardinals have engaged in a handful of recruiting battles this cycle, with Purdue netting flips from Emoni Smith and Jamarcus Whyce, while Louisville came out victorious with Hope, and running back Lekhy Thompkins.

Purdue’s defensive line haul in the 2026 cycle remains a strength for the class, with the likes of Jamarcus Whyce and Katrell Webb headlining the group, as well as Kobe Cherry, Aiden Solecki and Max Carmicle. There could be another option in the pipeline, as well.

pic.twitter.com/nMXhTuocFS

— Josiah Hope (@JosiahHope6) July 24, 2025

A name to know: T-Ron Richardson:

As Purdue looks to fill the defensive line gap left in Hope’s decision to head to Louisville, a name to know is Hopewell (Va.) defensive tackle T-Ron Richardson. The rising defensive lineman saw his stock rise this spring, netting offers from the likes of Penn State, Auburn, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and others. After taking official visits to Penn State, Oklahoma, Syracuse, South Carolina and Virginia Tech, Richardson remains on the board, however.

It appears Kelvin Green and company are looking to make a push for the Virginia native. More to come on this front.

Kamden Lopati lands with the Illini:

As had been reported here at GoldandBlack.com, Purdue made 2027 four-star West Valley City (Ut.) signal caller Kamden Lopati one of its top priorities in next year’s recruiting class and was, at one point, well-positioned for the talented quarterback out of the West. Lopati announced his decision on Sunday night, however, landing at Illinois. The Illini were not considered among the frontrunners for Lopati just a month ago, with Arizona and Notre Dame joining the Boilermakers as his top suitors.

Things had cooled on Lopati over the last several weeks, with the Boilermakers in the mix for another 2027 gunslinger.

Ben Musser set to make decision this week:

All eyes are going to be on 2027 four-star Prince Avenue Christian (Ga.) quarterback Ben Musser on Thursday, as he is slated to announce his decision. The dual-threat signal caller announced a top four of Purdue, Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt and Cincinnati previously and after the likes of Teddy Jarrard and Lopati chose elsewhere, has perhaps vaulted to the top of Purdue’s wishlist at the position in the class.

Sitting just days from his commitment, Cincinnati could be seen the leader for Musser at the moment, but it is a tightly contested battle that the Boilermakers remain very much involved in.

Dominic Turnbull eyes early in-season trip to West Lafayette:

As we reported previously, Purdue’s quest to add secondary help in the 2026 recruiting class has taken the staff to south Florida, offering True North Classical Academy teammates Camaul King (safety) and Dominic Turnbull (cornerback). Turnbull tells GoldandBlack.com that he is expecting to visit West Lafayette for Purdue’s season-opener against Ball State on August 30th for an unofficial visit.

King is expected to visit during the season as well, but that date has not be set, as of yet. I would anticipate that trip to be locked in sooner rather than later, however, and could very well line up with Turnbull’s visit weekend.

New offers dished out by coaching staff:

2026 three-star defensive lineman T-Ron Richardson:

Four-star 2027 wide receiver Jabari Watkins:

2028 athlete/cornerback Micah Hannah:

Three-star 2027 cornerback Keishjuan Telfair:

2027 four-star athlete Carter Bonner: