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Purdue

Leaving Las Vegas with pockets stuffed full of hope

On3 imageby: Tom Dienhart07/23/25TomDienhart1
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(Larry Pelletier/USA Today)

LAS VEGAS — Three things learned. Two questions: One statement. It’s The 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football at Big Ten media days.

Three things learned

1 – Barry Odom undaunted

The first-year Purdue coach has a stiff upper lip as he begins a large scale rehabilitation in West Lafayette that saw the program sink to become arguably the worst in Power Four in 2024. None of that shame is on Odom’s resume.

“We’ll be defined by what we do,” Odom stated.

It’s all systems go now for Odom, as camp will open on July 31 with the first game on August 30 vs. Ball State.

“Our staff has blended really, really well together, and I believe that will prove a huge advantage for this team,” said Odom. “Hope, vision, and belief, and soon enough we’ll have validation on the things that we’ve started building this program. We’re always judged by our moments and our experiences, and I look at the opportunity at Purdue.”

2 – Potential Standout TE A-OK

It was difficult to watch George Burhenn go down during the first play of an April 5 scrimmage in Mollenkopf. He had surgery five days later and a long rehabilitation ensued. The lithe and athletic tight end is arguably the best player on the roster.

The good news: No. 81 is good to go.

“It’s amazing,” Odom said of Burhenn’s recovery. “The injury that he had and what he’s done recovery wise ― he’ll be cleared for practice one.”

Staying healthy has been an issue for Burhenn, who had a broken foot in 2024 season. He flashed at the end of the 2023 season with five grabs for 74 yards and a touchdown in a victory vs. Indiana. Burhenn had one catch last season. He could lead the squad this fall … if all goes well.

The overall health of the team is good, per Odom, with only freshman TE Jon Grimmett out.

“Other than that, if we started tomorrow everybody would be at least practicing,” Odom said. “There may be a couple limitations with a muscle strain or something that’s happened in the last couple weeks but we’re in really good shape right now.”

3 – Big 2026 class coming

Yes, Purdue suffered a blow recently went DL Josiah Hope–the highest rated player in the Boilers’ 2026 verbal commitment class–flipped back to Louisville. That leaves Purdue with 19 commits in a group that currently ranks 16th in the Big Ten by On3/Rivals.

“We’ve got to continue to be aggressive in the state and in the five-hour radius, because I think there’s a good enough group of players, great coaches, and we can win with those kids,” said Odom, who maintains the foundation of his program always will be prep players. “We haven’t got all the ones we want yet, but it’s a long time from now until December (first signing period).

Odom anticipates inking close to 30 high school kids in the Class of 2026.

Two questions

1 – Who will start at QB?

Will it be Ryan Browne? Malachi Singleton? Someone else?

“Our staff has done a really good job on building that room up,” said Odom. “From a recruiting standpoint, I think going into where we left in spring practice, and then we made another addition after spring ball, with Ryan Browne coming in, it’s going to be great competition in fall camp.

“The sooner that we can identify who’s going to be our starter, probably the better for our team. But, also, I think it’s going to take more than one guy at that position to play winning football this year.”

Browne, of course, famously transferred in December to North Carolina soon after Odom was hired and subsequently returned to West Lafayette after spring ball in April. Browne has a dual-threat style that would seem to meld with the offense of Odom.

The 6-4, 210-pound Browne showed promise last season at Purdue as a redshirt freshman. He played in eight games, making starts in October at Illinois and vs. Oregon–when Hudson Card was injured. 

Browne nearly delivered a win at Illinois, as the Boilermakers fell, 50-49, in OT. He threw for 297 yards (18-of-26 passing, 69 percent) and 3 TDs and ran for 118 yards on 17 carries (6.9 ypc) vs. the Illini.

The bottom line is this: If the QBs that were here in the spring had impressed, would the staff really have needed to go out and woo Browne?

My money is on Browne–a tough leader whom teammates like–to be QB1.

2 – What is Odom’s ideal non-con schedule?

Amid the din of slot machines, non-conference scheduling was a big talking point in Vegas.

Odom made some waves before he got here last week when he took a shot at Indiana for dropping Virginia–paying $500K to do so–and adding mighty Kennesaw State. So, IU’s 2025 non-con is: Old Dominion, Indiana State and the aforementioned Kennesaw State.

Meanwhile, Purdue will battle Southern Illinois, Ball State and Notre Dame. In 2026, Purdue is slated to host Wake Forest, host Notre Dame and Indiana State.

“A number of things that go into it for us,” said Odom. “Geographically, location for our fans, how important it is to keep that continuity. I think that’s really, really important. And then you look at the opportunity to make sure that if you get an opportunity to play someone that would attract excitement for the game, that’s important to keep note, as well.

“And then if there’s any possible way that you could get a game in short order that you feel like maybe you could get an opportunity to play as many guys on your roster as possible for the experience and the things on game day. I think you look at those things, as well.”

Any changes loom to a 2026 non-conference schedule that has Indiana State, Wake Forest and ND?

“We’ve looked at next year’s schedule on who the non-conference folks are, and right now we’re staying with who we’ve got,” said Odom.

MORE: Devin Mockobee’s last lap: History within reach for Purdue’s star RB | Barry Odom: ‘This team is completely different than anybody on the outside knows’

One statement: Odd situation with S Tahj Ra-El

The Memphis Rivals site published a report earlier this month that Tahj Ra-El, a former Tiger safety who transferred to Purdue in the winter–leaked Memphis’ playbook to UTSA QB Owen McCown last season prior to a game between the schools.

Purdue issued the following statement:

“Our coaching staff sees the scenario as being mischaracterized and does not have any concerns moving forward.”

Ra-El transferred to Memphis from Old Dominion before the 2024 season. He played in four games, starting two for the Tigers.

Ra-El announced on Oct. 9 he was bolting Memphis and entering the portal. Tiger Sports Report cited a source who said Ra-El was dismissed from the team. Ra-El committed to Purdue Dec. 24.

So, there’s that. It’s all very bizarre.

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