BY: KENNY VARNER
Purdue Boilermakers: A Long Rebuild Begins Under Barry Odom
The Purdue Boilermakers hit rock bottom in 2024, going 0–11 against FBS opponents and looking completely outmatched most weeks. Now, they’re starting over from scratch. With just one returning starter and question marks at nearly every position, this season is less about chasing wins and more about laying the foundation for a new culture.
That’s exactly what Barry Odom was brought in to do. Fresh off a successful run at UNLV, where he compiled 20 wins in two seasons and led the Rebels to relevance, Odom’s first year in West Lafayette will be about instilling discipline, accountability, and toughness. He won’t be obsessing over the scoreboard in 2025. Instead, his focus will be on steady improvement week to week. The big question is whether this roster can even stay competitive in the rugged Big Ten.
Offense: Searching for Answers Everywhere
Purdue’s lone returning starter is running back Devin Mockobee, who rushed for 687 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry last season. Odom will lean on him heavily, aiming for a run-first approach. Joining Mockobee is Malachai Thomas from Virginia Tech, giving the backfield at least a serviceable one-two punch.
The quarterback situation is, bluntly, one of the weakest in all of the Power Four. Ryan Browne arrives from North Carolina and appears to be the frontrunner, but he’ll be pushed by Evans Chuba (Washington State) and Malachai Singleton (Arkansas). None of them enter with proven success at this level.
Up front, the offensive line was atrocious last year. Can it get any worse? Possibly—but Odom has worked the transfer portal aggressively. Marques Easley (Georgia) and Tyrell Green (Eastern Kentucky) bring some potential upside. Odom also brought in Jalen St. John, an All–Mountain West tackle from UNLV, along with guard Hank Purvis, also from UNLV. Bradyn Joiner (Auburn) adds experience at guard, and Giordano Vaccaro from the University of Manitoba could be a pleasant surprise at center.
The receiving corps is severely limited in ceiling. De’Nylon Morrissette returns and will pair with Charles Ross (USC) in the slot, while Corey Tuggle (Georgia) and Corey Smith (Tulsa) try to stretch the field outside. The tight end position took a huge hit with Max Klare transferring to Ohio State. Christian Moore (UNLV) and George Burhenn are a significant downgrade. Simply put, it’s hard to find a legitimate strength on this side of the ball.
Defense: From Bad to… Slightly Better?
Purdue’s defense last year was among the worst in school history, and now they return zero starters. Strangely enough, that might be a blessing in disguise. The transfer portal has infused this unit with new faces who could make them at least respectable.
On the edge, CJ Nunnally (Akron) was a star in the MAC, and CJ Madden returns after missing most of 2024 with an ankle injury. Trey Smith adds depth, while Breylon Charles (North Texas) and Breeon Ishmail (Michigan) could rotate in as well. Inside, TJ Lindsey (Auburn) hopes to clog running lanes at 340 pounds, joined by Jamarion Harkless, Ian Jeffries (Arkansas), and Marcus Moore (Akron).
At linebacker, Odom reunites with Charles Corea from his UNLV days, while Mani Powell (59 tackles, 3.5 sacks) also joins from UNLV. Sanders Ellis (Tennessee State) brings impressive production—86 tackles, including 15.5 for loss. Alex Sanford (Arkansas) will look to finally make an impact.
The secondary could actually be the strength of this defense. Ton Grimes (UNLV) and Chad Brown (Nevada) will battle for a starting corner role alongside Ryan Turner (Boston College). Safeties Crew Wakley (BYU) and Tahj Ra-El (Memphis) are intriguing players with upside.
Outlook: Patience Required
Purdue fans should brace themselves: wins will be scarce in 2025. The goal this season isn’t a bowl game—it’s building a disciplined, competitive team that fights for four quarters.
The schedule offers two winnable games to start—Ball State and Southern Illinois—but after that, it’s tough to find clear victories. Northwestern is further along in its rebuild, and a late October home game against Rutgers might be the only other realistic shot at a win.
If Odom somehow drags this team to bowl eligibility in Year One, he should be named national Coach of the Year on the spot. More realistically, two wins is the baseline, and four would be the absolute ceiling given the roster’s current state.
The bottom line: 2025 will be painful for Purdue, but with Barry Odom’s proven ability to rebuild programs, there’s reason to believe better days are coming—just not yet.