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2026 Purdue Boilermakers Preview: Can Only Go Up from Here

Purdue leans on QB Ryan Browne and transfer depth on both sides, but after a 3-21 stretch, development must spike to reach bowl hopes.

FootballFBSBig Ten
•Aug 8, 2026

Written By

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Bobby Wilson

Contributor

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Written By

Bobby Wilson profile photo

Bobby Wilson

Contributor

Boilermaker Pete Making his Entrance
Source: Purdue Athletics

Offense

The quarterback position belongs to Ryan Browne. Browne can make all the throws and has fantastic dual threat ability. He has bulked up this offseason to withstand the beatings of Big Ten defenses. Head Coach Barry Odom says Browne can lead Purdue to a Big Ten Title. You have to appreciate the confidence in him.

The running back room will be transfer heavy. Antonio Harris returns with the most experience. The additions of Travis Terrell Jr. (Jackson State), Fame Ijeboi (Minnesota), and Jerrick Gibson (Texas) provide a lot of talent. Gibson is the former number one running back recruit in his recruiting class.

The wide receiver room returns some experience in Jesse Watson, De’Nylon Morrissette, Corey Smith, and tight end George Burhenn. The additions of Jaylan Hornsby (Syracuse), Asaad Waseem (Florida Atlantic), Xavier Townsend (Iowa State), Bisi Owens (Penn), and tight end Kylan Fox (UCF) provide the depth this unit needs.

The offensive line room returns experience in Joey Tanona, Ethan Trent, Jude McCoskey, and Max Parrott. The additions of Jatavius Shivers (South Carolina), Boaz Stanley (South Carolina), Nuku Mafi (Oklahoma State), Micah Banuelos (USC), and Makai Saina (USC) provide this unit with potential starters.

Defense

The defensive line room returns experience in CJ Madden, Breeon Ishmail, TJ Lindsey, Ian Jefferies, and Trey Smith. The additions of Ela Modozie (Georgia), Curt Neal (Illinois), Wisdom Simms (North Carolina Central), Rodney Lora (UCF), Keyshawn Burgos (Virginia Tech), and Jeremy Lewis (JUCO) are excatly what this unit needs.

The linebacker room returns experience in Charles Carrea and Winston Berglund. Carrea is a warrior and the heartbeat of this defense. The additions of Tre Moore (San Diego), Hudson Miller (Toledo), Anthony Speca (Penn State), and Jojo Hayden (Illinois) provide this unit with an assortment of talent.

The secondary returns some experience in Hudauri Hines, Ryan Turner, and Smiley Bradford. The additions of Don Saunders (Utah), Jaden Mangham (Michigan), John Slaughter (Colorado), Dee Newsome (Samford), Justin Denson Jr. (Michigan State), Mister Clark (Florida International), and Daxx Noles (JUCO) provide much needed reinforcements.

Specialists

Punting duties will belong to Buffalo transfer Dylan Crennan, who was very solid last season. The kicking role will belong to either Seth Turner or freshman Jacob Echeverria Lozano. Jackson State transfer Travis Terrell Jr. will play a major role returning kicks and punts.

2026 Schedule

9/4 Indiana State

9/12 Wake Forest

9/19 at UCLA

9/26 Notre Dame

10/3 at Illinois

10/10 Minnesota

10/16 Washington

10/31 at Penn State

11/7 Maryland

11/14 at Iowa

11/21 Wisconsin

11/28 at Indiana

Final Analysis

Purdue is in the midst of its worst stretch in program history. The Boilermakers are 3-21 the past two seasons and have lost 18 Big Ten games in a row. An influx of transfers brings some hope, and Barry Odom thinks this is a bowl team, but many steps need to be taken in development before that happens.

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