Recruiting News and Notes

More notes from Purdue recruiting circles from Dec. 11, 2025.

PURDUE BASKETBALL RECRUITING​

Big recruiting weekend barring any weather problems …

• Texas guard Chase Richardson is officially visiting. The athletic combo guard is an absolute priority in the 2027 class who has seemed very interested in the Boilermakers, for whom Matt Painter’s been personally involved early.

• Class of 2027 target Isaiah Hill is supposed to come up from Indy.

• Class of 2028 target Noah Washington is supposed to come up from New Albany.

Again, the forecast could loom large.

PURDUE BASKETBALL​

Just re-iterating what we told you earlier, that Purdue star Braden Smith participating in the Boilermakers’ Thursday practice and appears to be all good after banging up his left hand less than two minutes into the win over Minnesota Wednesday night. Smith played — and played great — thereafter, but afterward was taken right to the trainers to look at the hand. Not terribly uncommon.

Doesn’t seem like anything to worry about, and if he practiced that would suggest Smith should be available for Marquette.

PURDUE FOOTBALL RECRUITING​

Recruits react to Purdue’s staff changes:
Purdue made waves earlier this week by moving on from offensive line coach Vance Vice and running backs coach Lamar Conard. As of right now, we have no reason to believe any of the incoming freshmen at either position group’s commitments are at risk. The two departures from the staff a year after Barry Odom took the job in West Lafayette mark new ventures for the program and several recently signed recruits offered their reactions.

Note: These quotes were prior to Purdue’s hiring of new offensive line coach Zach Crabtree
from Fresno State.

East St. Louis (Ill.) offensive lineman Terrell Berryhill:
“It hurts to see him leave but I’m bought in at the program and ready to work!”

New Palestine (Ind.) offensive lineman Brock Brownfield:
“Thank you for reaching out. I got word of the whole situation during school yesterday. I loved building a relationship with Coach Vice and sucks to hear that he got let go. I am still where I stand with Purdue. I’ve talked with Henson he seems extremely excited of the new hire and so am I.”

Marist (Ill.) offensive lineman Rico Schrieber:
“I think he was a really great coach and person, but I trust Coach Henson’s decision and I’m willing to work with whoever he brings in.”

Barry Odom alluded to the fact that Purdue could look to further bolster its 2026 recruiting class, beyond National Early Signing Day, and the staff has looked to do so in recent days. The Boilermakers dished out new offers to Kapaun Mt. Carmel (Kansas) linebacker Cal Purvis and Westside (Neb.) defensive back Bryson Williams.

Williams had signed with Iowa State, but since the news of Matt Campbell’s departure to Penn State became public, he was granted his release from the Cyclones. There is the potential for Williams to visit West Lafayette, but visit plans have yet to be laid out, for any program by the three-star safety. In addition to Purdue, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Virginia have all been in contact.

Purvis is the younger brother of current Purdue sophomore offensive lineman Hank Purvis. Purvis shared that the Purdue staff told him last summer that the linebacker room was full, but if a spot opened up, that it would be his for the taking. And that is exactly how things played out. The Kansas native is now deciding between the Boilermakers and Navy before announcing which college program he will be joining in 2026. Our read is that the Boilermakers have the edge, but it is not a done deal for Purvis and the Boilermakers. (DJ)