Purdue football is in a rebuilding phase. New coach Barry Odom signed 31 transfers in December, yet the team still has big gaps to fill. Spring practice showed what’s working and what’s not. Now, with the open portal, Purdue has the chance to smooth out the wrinkles and build the best team it can.
Purdue Boilermakers Need To Make Most of The Spring Transfer Portal
Barry Odom took over a Purdue team coming off a rough 1-11 season. He acted fast, bringing in 31 new players through the transfer portal in December. These moves were meant to spark a turnaround. But spring practice made it very clear that the Boilermakers still need help.
Barry Odom, who came from UNLV, is in “win-now” mode. Purdue needs a little bit of everything, according to him. He doubled down after 15 spring practices and a spring showcase on April 1. The team’s needs are precise, and Odom isn’t waiting around.
The offensive and defensive lines are the biggest concerns. Purdue has struggled to keep talent up front in recent years. Without strong linemen, it’s hard to control games. The December transfers, like offensive linemen Jaden Vicari and Drew St. John from UNLV, helped, but most starting spots are still open. Depth is thin, too, especially after losing key players.
The secondary and wide receiver groups also need work. Cornerbacks and safeties must cover better to stop big plays. At receiver, Purdue lacks consistent playmakers. These weaknesses showed up in spring drills, and Odom knows it.
The spring transfer window, open from April 16 to April 25, brought some new potential. Purdue added three players: linebacker Sanders Ellis from Tennessee Tech, defensive lineman Marcus Moore Jr. from Bowling Green, and defensive back Brandon Nicholson from Maryland. These additions address some needs but are not enough to fix everything.
Meanwhile, at least eight players left. Offensive lineman Jaekwon Bouldin and long snapper Nick Levy are gone. Linebackers Landon Drennan and Hudson Mille are also there. Defensive end Logan Jellison, defensive backs Ty Hudkins and Maxwell Barbee, and quarterback Jake Wilson also hit the portal. This exodus hurts depth, especially in the trenches and secondary.
Odom’s staff is already hunting for more transfers. The focus is on beefing up the lines. Strong offensive linemen protect the quarterback and open running lanes. Tough defensive linemen stop opponents’ runs and pressure passers. Purdue needs both to compete in the Big Ten.
The secondary is another priority. Losing players like Nyland Green and Kyndrich Breedlove to Arizona State stung. Odom will likely target experienced cornerbacks and safeties who can immediately capitalize on additions like Nicholson.
Purdue wants dynamic players at wide receiver. The team needs guys who can catch tough passes and stretch the field. A deep threat could further open up the offense, complementing recent high school signee Jalil Hall.
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Purdue’s roster has seen massive turnover. Over 30 players left since last season, and nearly as many came in. Odom’s late start after leaving UNLV made things tricky, but he’s moving fast. The spring portal is his chance to plug holes before the 2025 season.
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