Like any college football program, the transfer portal is changing rosters more than we’ve ever seen from season to season. And Purdue is looking at its fair share of change.
Second-year Purdue head coach Ryan Walters has rebuilt the roster with 14 transfers from the portal, two junior college transfers, and a strong recruiting class.
Despite last year’s 4-8 record, which wasn’t entirely dismal given the program’s history of winning three games or fewer five times in the past 11 years, Purdue is in the midst of a complete rebuild.
With quarterback Hudson Card and running back Devin Mockobee returning to lead the offense, the Boilermakers have a solid foundation on the offensive side of the ball.
However, the defense, which brings back just five starters, will need to make significant strides. Walters has gotten his feet wet, and expectations are growing in West Lafayette.
Who are the Purdue Boilermakers’ top returning players in 2024?
Purdue Boilermakers Top Returning Players
10) Markevious Brown, DB
Markevious Brown brings a wealth of experience to the Boilermakers’ secondary. The 5’11” defensive back made an immediate impact after transferring from Ole Miss, becoming a key player in his first season with Purdue.
He appeared in all 12 games, starting 11 of them, and recorded 45 tackles, including 32 solo tackles and three tackles for loss. Brown also led the team with two forced fumbles, including a crucial strip sack that was recovered for a touchdown, giving Purdue the lead in a win over Illinois.
9) Will Heldt, DE
Will Heldt wrapped up his freshman season with 12 tackles, including eight solo stops and one tackle for loss — impressive numbers for a true freshman. However, many around the Purdue football program believe Heldt is due for a breakout sophomore campaign.
Heldt has bulked up since 2023, increasing his playing weight from 250 to 265 pounds this year without compromising his other skills.
With his size, strength, and speed, Heldt is poised to be an effective pass rusher for Purdue this season.
8) Jahmal Edrine, WR
Jahmal Edrine is a bit of a wild card for Purdue, but many believe he can be a breakout offensive star in the Big Ten.
The 6’3″, 215-pound pass catcher was poised to be a key contributor for Purdue after transferring from FAU, where he had played against the Boilermakers in 2022.
Unfortunately, Edrine tore his ACL on the second day of fall camp and missed the 2023 season.
During his time at FAU, Edrine played in 11 games, starting nine of them. He accumulated 570 yards on 39 receptions and scored six touchdowns, finishing second on the team in yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns.
7) Marcus Mbow, RT
Last season, Marcus Mbow’s promising 2023 campaign was abruptly halted by a leg injury against Iowa on Oct. 7, forcing him to spend the offseason rehabbing.
As a freshman, however, Mbow quickly made a name for himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the Big Ten, starting 14 games for Purdue. His impressive performance earned him honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and recognition as a Freshman All-American.
He will absolutely be a pro when his time comes, and he will play a massive role in providing running lanes and protecting Purdue’s quarterback in 2024.
6) Gus Hartwig, C
Purdue has a certified staple anchoring their offensive line.
For the third straight preseason, Gus Hartwig has secured a spot on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, an honor given to the top center in college football. Since joining the Boilermakers in 2020, Hartwig has been a pivotal part of the offensive line, starting 36 games over his career.
As he enters his fifth and final season at Purdue, the four-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention center remains the leader of the Boilermaker offensive line.
Despite suffering an injury at the end of the 2022 season, Hartwig returned to start the final nine games last year. His leadership on the line helped Purdue lead the Big Ten in rushing during conference games and achieve the program’s highest single-season rushing total (2,029 yards) since 2012.
5) Kydran Jenkins, LB
Kydran Jenkins will jump from defensive end to linebacker in 2023, but he was excellent last season.
Jenkins was a force on the field, recording 57 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and even scoring a touchdown. He started all 12 games and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors.
Jenkins finished second in the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 15.5 on the year, solidifying his impact as a key player on the defense.
He will play a massive role for the Boilermakers defensively in 2024.
4) Dillon Thieneman, S
In his first year, Dillon Thieneman led Purdue with 106 tackles, showcasing his playmaking ability by recording six interceptions. He also forced two fumbles, solidifying his reputation as a standout defensive player in West Lafayette.
Thieneman significantly impacted last year and earned several prestigious accolades following his impressive freshman season. He was named FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year and Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year and also received third-team All-America honors from the AP.
His stellar performance at Purdue has generated plenty of preseason buzz, with Thieneman being named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
The Bednarik Award is given to the best defensive player in college football, highlighting the high expectations for Thieneman this season.
3) Cole Brevard, NT
At 6’3″, 333 pounds, Brevard is one of Big Ten’s biggest and most imposing nose tackles.
Brevard has been a consistent presence in the heart of the defensive line. Last season, as a redshirt junior, he started all 12 games at nose guard, making a significant impact with nine tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Brevard also recovered two fumbles, helping to discourage opponents from running up the middle.
His efforts earned him recognition. With his team-high two fumble recoveries, he ranked second in the Big Ten and 19th nationally.
But nose tackles don’t exactly pile up the stat sheet. It’s on tape where they stand out. And Brevard jumps off the screen with his ability to clog up the middle.
2) Devin Mockobee, RB
Former walk-on Devin Mockobee has quickly established himself as a big-time player for Purdue, rushing for 1,779 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and scoring 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
A versatile back, Mockobee has also proven to be an effective receiver, catching 51 passes for 454 yards and a touchdown. Heading into his junior year, Mockobee has been named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List.
In 2023, Mockobee recorded seven touchdowns (six rushing, one receiving), ranking second in scoring. He found the end zone in seven different games and surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark twice, including a season-high 153 yards in a win over Minnesota.
Mockobee earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors for the second time for his efforts.
As he enters his junior campaign, Mockobee is already etching his name in Purdue’s record books. The Boonville, Indiana native currently ranks 14th in career rushing touchdowns (15) and 18th in rushing yards (1,779).
He is 221 yards away from becoming the first Boilermaker to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards since Markell Jones.
1) Hudson Card, QB
Hudson Card made a strong impression in his debut season at Purdue after transferring from Texas. He ranked third in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (217.0), completing 59% of his passes (215-of-365) for 2,387 yards, with 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions over 11 starts.
Card also contributed on the ground, rushing 93 times for 203 yards and scoring five touchdowns. His ability to keep the offense moving was recognized with All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors.
As long as he has protection and limits turnovers, Card is expected to continue leading Purdue’s offense effectively.
If Card can make a giant leap under offensive coordinator Graham Harrell in his second season at Purdue, the Boilermaker offensive could be a sleeping giant.
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