The first week on spring practice for #Purdue football just wrapped up. What stood out?
🔄 Changes to the offensive line?
The offensive line group is set to be a strong suit for the Boilermakers heading into next season, but it could look different than we anticipated. Purdue returns four of five starters in the trenches, with the only departure being Spencer Holstege, who left for UCLA in the transfer portal.
During brief 11 on 11 drills over the first two days of practice, Purdue rolled out a "first-team offensive line" of Eric Miller, Jalen Grant, Josh Kaltenberger, Sione Finau, and Marcus Mbow. Notably, however, Mbow was taking snaps at right tackle, which comes after having a standout season at guard in 2022. A permanent position change could be coming for the College Football News freshman All-American.
Last season's starting tackle Mahamane Moussa was thought to be a fixture along the line for Purdue in 2023, but during the short 11 on 11 periods, the redshirt sophomore was absent from the first and second-team offensive line groups. It does not appear to be an injury situation, as Moussa participated in individual contact drills. There is no word as to the reasoning behind his absence just yet. Moussa's situation will be one to keep an eye on as we go through the spring.
Purdue already has a solid core of offensive linemen, and more depth is on the way, including a pair of experienced players in the trenches. Starting center, Gus Hartwig did not appear during practice this week as he recovers from a season-ending leg injury suffered in November. The senior figures to slide in for Kaltenberger when he returns.
Sixth-year senior Daniel Johnson is also working his way back from injury and has not been seen at practice thus far. Johnson played in five games before going down with a knee ailment. He could slide behind either Mbow or Miller as a second-team tackle for Purdue.
Yet to step on campus are Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA) transfer Ben Farrell and 2023 JUCO signee Issiah Walker as well. Farrell and Walker will both provide competition and valuable depth at the very least next season, with the potential to fight for starting spots.
The coaching staff worked hard to add depth across the line this off-season, and with several injuries, those additions have proved to be valuable already.
🚂 DL/OLB group updates
Switching to Ryan Walters' five-man front has created some movement from defensive ends under the prior regime. However, the outside linebackers group has looked thin through the first week of practice. Only four players, Nic Caraway, Khordae Sydnor, Will Heldt, and Roman Pitre, worked with Joe Dineen as outside linebackers.
The two veterans of the room, Kydran Jenkins and Scotty Humpich, are both coming off surgery following the season and have not participated in practice yet. While the two experienced outside linebackers are out, it will allow the four young players to get more experience in their new positions.
Former four-star prospect Joe Strickland was thought to be moving to outside linebacker in the Boilermakers' new defense but has only worked with the defensive ends this week. Strickland is coming off a redshirt season and has gotten up to 265 pounds.
Brick Haley's defensive line core has several contributors ready to make an impact this spring but is missing several key players this spring. Among those who did not participate in practice this week were Arkansas transfer Isaiah Nichols, Damarjhe Lewis, Price Boyd Jr., and freshman Jamarrion Harkless.
Along with those three, senior Sulaiman Kpaka was seen getting treatment on his leg during Thursday's practice and was not seen on Saturday. Kpaka's status is uncertain but will be one to watch early next week.
The Boilermakers still had a strong core of defensive linemen present for individual drills. Cole Brevard, Mo Omonode, and Joe Anderson were the most notable linemen that were seen at practice. All three have emerged as potential candidates to start.
Like Strickland, Tristan Cox also seems to have moved to the defensive line. Cox came to Purdue as a linebacker before transitioning to fullback for a short period. Now he aims to find a role as an interior defensive lineman.
⭐️ Sleeper in the WR room
As Boiler Upload wrote on Monday, there was a long list of players coming off of injuries sustained last season. One of those Boilermakers made his return to the practice field this week and could be positioning himself for a starting job heading into 2023.
Elijah Canion came to Purdue after two years at Auburn, where he signed with the Tigers as a three-star recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. He was set to battle for a starting wide receiver spot last season but suffered a knee injury in the season opener that sidelined him for the rest of the year.
During the 11 on 11 periods, Canion was with the first-team offense on Tuesday and Thursday. The 6'4" receiver also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Hudson Card. (See below). If he stays healthy, Canion could emerge as a top target for the Boilermakers' offense next season.
✍️ Several recruits attend practice
Purdue is set to host over a dozen prospects over the next month for unofficial visits, and that list began to pile up this week. On Tuesday, Jaron Tibbs, Jaden Ball, and Luke Jones were all in attendance to watch the first day of practice.
Tibbs is one of two wide receivers in the Boilermakers' 2023 recruiting class, and while he signed in December, he decided to finish up his high school basketball career before coming to campus this summer.
Ohio offensive lineman Jaden Ball was perhaps the most notable visitor this week, as he committed shortly after his trip to West Lafayette. The three-star prospect became the fifth member of Purdue's 2024 recruiting class. Boiler Upload wrote about Ball's commitment earlier this week. You can read that story here.
The final visitor on Tuesday was PWO wide receiver target Luke Jones, who was accompanied by his parents and older brother, former Purdue All-American Charlie Jones. The younger Jones is familiar with Purdue but had not met with the new coaching staff until Tuesday. The 2022 high school graduate took a post-grad year this past season and could become an intriguing walk-on addition for the Boilermakers' offense.
Maryland defense line transfer Anthony "Tank" Booker also took an unofficial visit to Purdue on Tuesday but was not seen during the 30 minutes of practice the media was permitted to attend.
Thursday's visitors included a pair of 2024 prospects the Boilermakers are in high pursuit of. Four-star cornerback Jalen Todd and three-star defensive end Elijah King were both in attendance as they continue to go through their respective recruiting processes. King watched the outside linebackers during individual workouts while Todd was scouting out the cornerbacks under the direction of Sam Carter. There is no word as to how likely a potential commitment from either would be.
The final visitor of the week was another member of Purdue's 2023 recruiting class, three-star defensive tackle Drake Carlson. The Tennessee native watched Brick Haley coach up the defensive ends and nose tackles on Saturday afternoon.
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🔄 Changes to the offensive line?
The offensive line group is set to be a strong suit for the Boilermakers heading into next season, but it could look different than we anticipated. Purdue returns four of five starters in the trenches, with the only departure being Spencer Holstege, who left for UCLA in the transfer portal.
During brief 11 on 11 drills over the first two days of practice, Purdue rolled out a "first-team offensive line" of Eric Miller, Jalen Grant, Josh Kaltenberger, Sione Finau, and Marcus Mbow. Notably, however, Mbow was taking snaps at right tackle, which comes after having a standout season at guard in 2022. A permanent position change could be coming for the College Football News freshman All-American.
Last season's starting tackle Mahamane Moussa was thought to be a fixture along the line for Purdue in 2023, but during the short 11 on 11 periods, the redshirt sophomore was absent from the first and second-team offensive line groups. It does not appear to be an injury situation, as Moussa participated in individual contact drills. There is no word as to the reasoning behind his absence just yet. Moussa's situation will be one to keep an eye on as we go through the spring.
Purdue already has a solid core of offensive linemen, and more depth is on the way, including a pair of experienced players in the trenches. Starting center, Gus Hartwig did not appear during practice this week as he recovers from a season-ending leg injury suffered in November. The senior figures to slide in for Kaltenberger when he returns.
Sixth-year senior Daniel Johnson is also working his way back from injury and has not been seen at practice thus far. Johnson played in five games before going down with a knee ailment. He could slide behind either Mbow or Miller as a second-team tackle for Purdue.
Yet to step on campus are Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA) transfer Ben Farrell and 2023 JUCO signee Issiah Walker as well. Farrell and Walker will both provide competition and valuable depth at the very least next season, with the potential to fight for starting spots.
The coaching staff worked hard to add depth across the line this off-season, and with several injuries, those additions have proved to be valuable already.
🚂 DL/OLB group updates
Switching to Ryan Walters' five-man front has created some movement from defensive ends under the prior regime. However, the outside linebackers group has looked thin through the first week of practice. Only four players, Nic Caraway, Khordae Sydnor, Will Heldt, and Roman Pitre, worked with Joe Dineen as outside linebackers.
The two veterans of the room, Kydran Jenkins and Scotty Humpich, are both coming off surgery following the season and have not participated in practice yet. While the two experienced outside linebackers are out, it will allow the four young players to get more experience in their new positions.
Former four-star prospect Joe Strickland was thought to be moving to outside linebacker in the Boilermakers' new defense but has only worked with the defensive ends this week. Strickland is coming off a redshirt season and has gotten up to 265 pounds.
Brick Haley's defensive line core has several contributors ready to make an impact this spring but is missing several key players this spring. Among those who did not participate in practice this week were Arkansas transfer Isaiah Nichols, Damarjhe Lewis, Price Boyd Jr., and freshman Jamarrion Harkless.
Along with those three, senior Sulaiman Kpaka was seen getting treatment on his leg during Thursday's practice and was not seen on Saturday. Kpaka's status is uncertain but will be one to watch early next week.
The Boilermakers still had a strong core of defensive linemen present for individual drills. Cole Brevard, Mo Omonode, and Joe Anderson were the most notable linemen that were seen at practice. All three have emerged as potential candidates to start.
Like Strickland, Tristan Cox also seems to have moved to the defensive line. Cox came to Purdue as a linebacker before transitioning to fullback for a short period. Now he aims to find a role as an interior defensive lineman.
⭐️ Sleeper in the WR room
As Boiler Upload wrote on Monday, there was a long list of players coming off of injuries sustained last season. One of those Boilermakers made his return to the practice field this week and could be positioning himself for a starting job heading into 2023.
Elijah Canion came to Purdue after two years at Auburn, where he signed with the Tigers as a three-star recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. He was set to battle for a starting wide receiver spot last season but suffered a knee injury in the season opener that sidelined him for the rest of the year.
During the 11 on 11 periods, Canion was with the first-team offense on Tuesday and Thursday. The 6'4" receiver also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Hudson Card. (See below). If he stays healthy, Canion could emerge as a top target for the Boilermakers' offense next season.
✍️ Several recruits attend practice
Purdue is set to host over a dozen prospects over the next month for unofficial visits, and that list began to pile up this week. On Tuesday, Jaron Tibbs, Jaden Ball, and Luke Jones were all in attendance to watch the first day of practice.
Tibbs is one of two wide receivers in the Boilermakers' 2023 recruiting class, and while he signed in December, he decided to finish up his high school basketball career before coming to campus this summer.
Ohio offensive lineman Jaden Ball was perhaps the most notable visitor this week, as he committed shortly after his trip to West Lafayette. The three-star prospect became the fifth member of Purdue's 2024 recruiting class. Boiler Upload wrote about Ball's commitment earlier this week. You can read that story here.
The final visitor on Tuesday was PWO wide receiver target Luke Jones, who was accompanied by his parents and older brother, former Purdue All-American Charlie Jones. The younger Jones is familiar with Purdue but had not met with the new coaching staff until Tuesday. The 2022 high school graduate took a post-grad year this past season and could become an intriguing walk-on addition for the Boilermakers' offense.
Maryland defense line transfer Anthony "Tank" Booker also took an unofficial visit to Purdue on Tuesday but was not seen during the 30 minutes of practice the media was permitted to attend.
Thursday's visitors included a pair of 2024 prospects the Boilermakers are in high pursuit of. Four-star cornerback Jalen Todd and three-star defensive end Elijah King were both in attendance as they continue to go through their respective recruiting processes. King watched the outside linebackers during individual workouts while Todd was scouting out the cornerbacks under the direction of Sam Carter. There is no word as to how likely a potential commitment from either would be.
The final visitor of the week was another member of Purdue's 2023 recruiting class, three-star defensive tackle Drake Carlson. The Tennessee native watched Brick Haley coach up the defensive ends and nose tackles on Saturday afternoon.
Purdue Football Spring Practice Week #1 Notes & Takeaways
Here is what Boiler Upload has kept its eyes on though the first week on the practice field.
