2025 Team

[DG Boiler]

With the number of transfers in and out, I have no clue what the two-deep looks like this year. Hell, I don't think I could name four current players at this point. This team is basically constructed of former SEC players looking for playing time. They'll either be significantly better, or will not jell and be horrible like the last few years. It's going to be one of the weirdest, most interesting seasons in Purdue history.

If they do see significant improvement, do we see players bolt for greener pastures next year? I know nobody likes the transfer portal and NIL situation, but it's so much worse in football than basketball. Entire teams are completely changing after spring practice ends!

 

[Quix0te]

With the number of transfers in and out, I have no clue what the two-deep looks like this year. Hell, I don't think I could name four current players at this point. This team is basically constructed of former SEC players looking for playing time. They'll either be significantly better, or will not jell and be horrible like the last few years. It's going to be one of the weirdest, most interesting seasons in Purdue history.

If they do see significant improvement, do we see players bolt for greener pastures next year? I know nobody likes the transfer portal and NIL situation, but it's so much worse in football than basketball. Entire teams are completely changing after spring practice ends!

It seems like we're putting together a solid offensive line via the portal. That doesn't mean there will be enough time for these guys to develop the right chemistry in the fall but they shouldn't be an embarrassment like last year.

 

[ghostoffatjack]

A complete teardown was necessary but I wish we could have kept a couple of starters that left before giving our new Coach a chance in Spring Ball!

 

[Chi-Boiler]

A complete teardown was necessary but I wish we could have kept a couple of starters that left before giving our new Coach a chance in Spring Ball!

The seemingly strange thing is that some main guys DID give the coach a chance and then left after spring ball. Hard to say if it's the chicken or the egg with all the new guys he's brought in.

 

[Thordog]

The count is at 41 new players since Odom joined them "franchise". As you pointed out, getting chemistry down can be a difference maker. A couple comments I've seen posted from players, Odom sounds like a task oriented coach - in a good way and that's probably not the best description.

Other than RB, depth charts are anyone's guess although I suspect Browne is now QB1.

For OL, there were several that follwed Odom from UNLV one is most likely a starter, the others start or in the top 2. The guy that played in Canada - Vaccaro - sounds promising from his stats at Manitoba. The new OL guys particulary Joiner from Auburn and Green from EKU - although young - look like starter potentials. On paper, it looks like the OLine added some pretty solid guys. But as you pointed out, it will take some time to get the chemistry right. The OL looked solid, but now looks even better.

DL looks pretty solid - although they've brought in a couple edge guys so that will be interesting to see unfold. Purdue lost some edge guys

The WR room - Odom commented about Branch, Morrisette, and Ross as showing good things. The latest additions - especially Nitro- could sound like great pick ups. TE - Odom mentioned that Burhenn should be back by game 1 and there were 3 other additions earlier.

LB and Secondary - I really haven't paid too much attention to that area - other than seeing Purdue brought in a couple new players in those areas. Not sure what to expect here.

All in all, this new world of transfer portal, rev sharing etc sure does allow teams to turn over a roster. Seems like there were some upgrades in a few areas, but then a lot of teams did as well. The schedule offers some opportunities, but I'm going to "Tiller" my expecations until a few games have been played.

 

[ghostoffatjack]

The seemingly strange thing is that some main guys DID give the coach a chance and then left after spring ball. Hard to say if it's Wou

Would depend on if they landed on the top 2 at each position that the Coach has determined. If they value playing time then going to the Portal might be the correct decision!

 

[NVboiler]

With the number of transfers in and out, I have no clue what the two-deep looks like this year. Hell, I don't think I could name four current players at this point. This team is basically constructed of former SEC players looking for playing time. They'll either be significantly better, or will not jell and be horrible like the last few years. It's going to be one of the weirdest, most interesting seasons in Purdue history.

If they do see significant improvement, do we see players bolt for greener pastures next year? I know nobody likes the transfer portal and NIL situation, but it's so much worse in football than basketball. Entire teams are completely changing after spring practice ends!

I doubt that I could also name 4 players. It's nice to have continuity and watch Purdue players develop over the years and some reach their initial high expectations. Now you don't know what to expect other than it will be different in some ways. Hopefully coach Odom was the right choice and we return to success, but it was always nicer to see a team develop over time instead of a drastic infusion of new players.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

My 4 players:

Devin Mockabee
Dalvin Mockabee
Kevin Mockabie
CJ Madden

 

[Bippus33]

The seemingly strange thing is that some main guys DID give the coach a chance and then left after spring ball. Hard to say if it's the chicken or the egg with all the new guys he's brought in.

Who left for the portal after spring practice that was a really good player? I'm not sure,merely asking....

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Who left for the portal after spring practice that was a really good player? I'm not sure,merely asking....

Mo Omonode
Jaden Ball
Josh Sales
Luke Jones (Charlie's bro)
Caleb Irving

Those for sure. There are others for sure, can't recall the names.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Who left for the portal after spring practice that was a really good player? I'm not sure,merely asking....

We've also had players that transferred in and transferred out only from spring ball. EJ Colson for one.

 

[BOILERGOLD88]

Mo Omonode
Jaden Ball
Josh Sales
Luke Jones (Charlie's bro)
Caleb Irving

Those for sure. There are others for sure, can't recall the names.

Omondode had 14 tackles and a pair of sacks in 2023 and then 11 stops and a single sack in 2024. It's not a huge loss from a production standpoint.

Ball i don't even remember.

Sales started like 2-3 games in 2 years.

Jones did he play?

Irving did he play?

Non of these guys would have contributed much.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Omondode had 14 tackles and a pair of sacks in 2023 and then 11 stops and a single sack in 2024. It's not a huge loss from a production standpoint.

Ball i don't even remember.

Sales started like 2-3 games in 2 years.

Jones did he play?

Irving did he play?

Non of these guys would have contributed much.

Mo and Ball probably would have started, the others I don't know much about. Just saying they're guys that left after spring ball. Production across the board is up in the air right now with so many new guys.

 

[Quix0te]

We've also had players that transferred in and transferred out only from spring ball. EJ Colson for one.

So can anyone project what our starting five OL will be in the fall? These guys coming in thru the portal seem to be huge (circa 6'6", 330+) and make our Spring Game starting five look like runts. For what it's worth, their resumes are impressive.

 

[Lee3370]

With the number of transfers in and out, I have no clue what the two-deep looks like this year. Hell, I don't think I could name four current players at this point. This team is basically constructed of former SEC players looking for playing time. They'll either be significantly better, or will not jell and be horrible like the last few years. It's going to be one of the weirdest, most interesting seasons in Purdue history.

If they do see significant improvement, do we see players bolt for greener pastures next year? I know nobody likes the transfer portal and NIL situation, but it's so much worse in football than basketball. Entire teams are completely changing after spring practice ends!

2 deep? I am not even sure what the 1 deep looks like, lol

 

[Wolegib]

it's a philosophy we haven't seen much before in our football team. the coach is placing a priority on getting big offensive lineman. he's not that worried about speed. just get big dudes, much like Iowa and Wisconsin. and own the 4th quarter, by running the clock out and wearing down your opponent.

its called winning the battle of the trenches rather than being pass happy and playing air ball. i can see a future of more boring football, but more wins. Purdue fans may even start to like boring, winning football rather than always trying to air it out.

 

[SKYDOG]

it's a philosophy we haven't seen much before in our football team. the coach is placing a priority on getting big offensive lineman. he's not that worried about speed. just get big dudes, much like Iowa and Wisconsin. and own the 4th quarter, by running the clock out and wearing down your opponent.

its called winning the battle of the trenches rather than being pass happy and playing air ball. i can see a future of more boring football, but more wins. Purdue fans may even start to like boring, winning football rather than always trying to air it out.

I like punishing the opponent. Wisconsin has punished Purdue for a couple decades. I’m sick and tired of losing to Wisconsin. If there’s one game to win this year it’s the Badgers. Punish them is fair play.

 

[Bippus33]

Omondode had 14 tackles and a pair of sacks in 2023 and then 11 stops and a single sack in 2024. It's not a huge loss from a production standpoint.

Ball i don't even remember.

Sales started like 2-3 games in 2 years.

Jones did he play?

Irving did he play?

Non of these guys would have contributed much.

Your right, MO did show some promise.

 

[awthomps]

Would depend on if they landed on the top 2 at each position that the Coach has determined. If they value playing time then going to the Portal might be the correct decision!

And I suspect you that some miss the party culture of CRWs staff, and are struggling with the “toughness” required of CBO and staff.

 

[Quix0te]

And I suspect you that some miss the party culture of CRWs staff, and are struggling with the “toughness” required of CBO and staff.

That's fair enough but I think the foremost problem with Walters was that he was virtually blind-sided by the portal. He was whammed, bammed and tattooed by the portal before he knew what was happening. He just was't ready for it and we lost a lot of players and gained few.

 

[awthomps]

That's fair enough but I think the foremost problem with Walters was that he was virtually blind-sided by the portal. He was whammed, bammed and tattooed by the portal before he knew what was happening. He just was't ready for it and we lost a lot of players and gained few.

I think that was just the start of his issues, including that his defensive scheme was more Bielema than Walters … he was totally unprepared for being a head coach.

 

[pboiler18]

I think that was just the start of his issues, including that his defensive scheme was more Bielema than Walters … he was totally unprepared for being a head coach.

Bert came out and said that Walters scheme was non sensical and he wouldn’t let him fully run it at Illinois. Only took me 2 quarters of the 2023 season to fully understand why!

 

[pboiler18]

That's fair enough but I think the foremost problem with Walters was that he was virtually blind-sided by the portal. He was whammed, bammed and tattooed by the portal before he knew what was happening. He just was't ready for it and we lost a lot of players and gained few.

We really only lost 2 major contributors into 2024. The thing that got Walters off track was Walters.

 

[Wolegib]

We really only lost 2 major contributors into 2024. The thing that got Walters off track was Walters.

the biggest problem with walters was not how many major contributors he lost, but rather how many of his highly ranked recruits never contributed. he brought some very talented players to purdue. they just never excelled or developed under his coaching.

 

[POTFHBTFU]

A complete teardown was necessary but I wish we could have kept a couple of starters that left before giving our new Coach a chance in Spring Ball!

I think you will be surprised how many starters were on our roster last year. Browne, Mockobee, Burnhem, Tanona, and at least 1 WR would be expected to start on offense as of today. That’s close to half of the offense. On defense not as much but probably a couple defensive linemen (CJ Madden and Harkless?) and 1-2 DB (Hines, Smith, Bradford). And our P/PK.

So of 24 starters I would set 10 as the O/U for players on our roster last year.

 

[POTFHBTFU]

Mo Omonode
Jaden Ball
Josh Sales
Luke Jones (Charlie's bro)
Caleb Irving

Those for sure. There are others for sure, can't recall the names.

Luke and Caleb were walk-ons that never made it. Sales hasn’t been on the team for a while, was not in spring practice. Omonode didn’t play all spring. Only one on your list who played in spring on 2 deeps was Ball and he just got recruited over with the 4 transfers.

 

[POTFHBTFU]

Mo and Ball probably would have started, the others I don't know much about. Just saying they're guys that left after spring ball. Production across the board is up in the air right now with so many new guys.

There is speculation Mo may never play again due to major injury issues and that is a Tanona situation.

Ball did not work out and they went out and grabbed a bunch of guys to replace him. He played very poorly in the spring.

 

[POTFHBTFU]

it's a philosophy we haven't seen much before in our football team. the coach is placing a priority on getting big offensive lineman. he's not that worried about speed. just get big dudes, much like Iowa and Wisconsin. and own the 4th quarter, by running the clock out and wearing down your opponent.

its called winning the battle of the trenches rather than being pass happy and playing air ball. i can see a future of more boring football, but more wins. Purdue fans may even start to like boring, winning football rather than always trying to air it out.

Brohms strategy was to get tall OL and that group was a huge priority. He was a pass first coach so less emphasis on weight which is better for run and that is what we are seeing with Odom. Neither is wrong just different offenses. Brohms issue is he didn’t have a good OL coach and guys didn’t want to play for his coach. People undervalue the position coaches, our current OL coach has been a major factor in recruiting including bringing 3 guys with him.

 

[POTFHBTFU]

So can anyone project what our starting five OL will be in the fall? These guys coming in thru the portal seem to be huge (circa 6'6", 330+) and make our Spring Game starting five look like runts. For what it's worth, their resumes are impressive.

I’ll take a stab…

LT Joey Tanona. This is likely only one locked in at this position and perhaps our best OL, had an amazing spring.

LG Chop St John. This guy will start for us and do well. He may move based on best fit, this staff likes to move guys around on OL to find the best group.

OC. For now Giordano Viccarro. He has taken the most snaps with first team in spring. A beast who could be a diamond in the rough from Canada. Could also see Bradyn Joiner slide here if the other portal guys do well, he did play some snaps at center as a freshman at Auburn. Purvis and Trent took a lot of snaps too.

RG. Bradyn Joiner unless he moves to OC. Could also swap with Chop. He was all-sec freshman team with 5 starts, he was brought in to start. At end of last year would have said Ball and he got passed up by UNLV transfers (Vicari and Purvis) until we went to spring portal.

RT. Until 2 weeks ago it was Bakyne Coly. Jude McCoskey could be here now. I think Marc Nave and Tyrell Green will also compete (don’t be fooled by the “IOL”
Position on the sites, this staff will move them to best fit).

Coming out of spring seemed we only had 7 guys who looked good enough to be in rotation (Tanona, St John, Trent, Coly, Purvis, Vicari, Vicarro) plus the 4 we added (McCoskey, Joiner, Green, Nave) and wouldn’t be surprised if we picked up another soon. Still a few scholarship guys and a few walk-ons. Should have really good OL group next year if the position coach is as good as advertised.

This group was built for a team that will run. A lot. Out of many positions in “backfield”). QB, HB, FB, and hybrid TE/FB.

 

[Wolegib]

Brohms strategy was to get tall OL and that group was a huge priority. He was a pass first coach so less emphasis on weight which is better for run and that is what we are seeing with Odom. Neither is wrong just different offenses. Brohms issue is he didn’t have a good OL coach and guys didn’t want to play for his coach. People undervalue the position coaches, our current OL coach has been a major factor in recruiting including bringing 3 guys with him.

I can agree with this. Iowa was known for for its tight end and oline coaches. It was their assistant coaches that attracted and recruited their players! A lot can be said for having good assistant coaches. When Paterno and Bowden were at their peak it was their assistant coaches who basically ran their program