Purdue University Football Recruiting: Building a Foundation for the Future

Purdue University's football program is a topic of great interest for aspiring student-athletes and fans alike. Understanding the recruiting process, scholarship opportunities, and recent developments is crucial for anyone looking to get involved with the Boilermakers. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Purdue football recruiting, covering everything from initial contact to recent transfer portal activity and high school signings.

Navigating the Recruiting Landscape at Purdue

For high school student-athletes with aspirations of playing football at Purdue University, understanding the recruiting process is paramount. This information is very valuable for all high school student-athletes to understand as they start the recruiting process. The journey begins with familiarizing oneself with the university, its academic programs, and the coaching staff. Building a relationship with the coaching staff is an essential component of getting recruited.

Initial Steps: Questionnaires and Online Profiles

A good starting point is filling out the Purdue University Football’s recruiting questionnaire to get on their list. However, this is only the beginning. To get actively recruited, a college coach needs to see you compete, which is why it’s important to have an online athletic recruiting profile. High school student-athletes have a discoverability problem. And discoverability is the key to college exposure and recruitment.

Showcasing Your Talents: The Importance of an Athletic Profile

Just having a recruiting profile doesn’t guarantee you will get recruited. You need your profile to showcase all of your academic and athletic achievements, and be able to instantly connect to college coaches who are interested. If you can’t quickly find and message any college coach you want, then you’re not solving your biggest problem in getting recruited for Football. Make it as easy as possible for the Purdue University Football coaching staff to learn about you as an athlete, and be able to start a conversation with you. 100% of college coaches and programs are on the SportsRecruits platform. Contact any college in the country in just a few clicks. Show college coaches your game.

Scholarship Opportunities at Purdue

Purdue University does offer athletic scholarships for Football. Need-based and academic scholarships are available for student-athletes. Athletic scholarships are available for NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA and NJCAA.

Read also: Investigating the Death at Purdue

Transfer Portal Activity: A Quick Turnaround

Despite the recent struggles for Purdue, the program is having quite a bit of success in the transfer portal, just 10 days after it opened. The Boilermakers are working on a top 20 class currently, and sit fourth in the Big Ten, per On3. Odom has currently assembled the 17th-ranked transfer portal class in college football, according to On3's current rankings. Purdue sits fourth in the Big Ten, behind Indiana (fifth nationally), Wisconsin (12th nationally), and UCLA (13th nationally). As of the morning of Monday, Jan. 12, the Boilermakers have added 21 players from the portal.

Key Transfer Additions

Here's the quick rundown of the players who have already committed to Purdue out of the NCAA transfer portal. The window opened on Jan. 2.

Ricky Sampson Jr. (WR) - Victory Valley (JuCo)
Dee Newsome (CB) - Samford (FCS)
Kylan Fox (TE) - UCF
Xavier Townsend (WR) - Iowa State
Don Saunders (CB) - Utah
Fame Ijeboi (RB) - Minnesota
Dylan Drennan (P) - Buffalo
Nuku Mafi (OL) - Oklahoma State
Rodney Lora (DL) - UCF
Boaz Stanley (OL) - South Carolina
Mister Clark (S) - FIU
Jojo Hayden (LB) - Illinois
Curt Neal (DL) - Illinois
Anthony Speca (LB) - Penn State
Travis Terrell (RB) - Jackson State (FCS)
Asaad Waseem (WR) - FAU
Makai Saina (OL) - USC
Jaden Mangham (DB) - Michigan
Micah Banuelos (OL) - USC
Wisdom Simms (DL) - NC Central (FCS)
Jerrick Gibson (RB) - Texas

You can view the complete rundown through our Purdue football transfer portal tracker.

Production Over Potential: A Shift in Strategy

Odom and his staff appear to be placing a premium on production over potential. Obviously, bringing in players that have not yet reached their ceiling is important, but having a group of guys that have proven themselves at the college level is critical, too.

Purdue has added three productive players to its backfield this offseason, brining in Fame Ijeboi (Minnesota), Jerrick Gibson (Texas), and Travis Terrell (Jackson State). All three players have rushed for more than 400 yards, and Terrell was an All-SWAC player. Similarly at wide receiver, Purdue landed commitments from Asaad Waseem (FAU), Xavier Townsend (Iowa State), and Ricky Sampson Jr. (Victory Valley). Waseem was the most productive of that bunch, hauling in 66 receptions for 669 yards and five touchdowns.

Read also: Purdue University Fees

The Boilermakers have also added experienced Big Ten defensive pieces in defensive back Jaden Mangham (Michigan), linebacker Anthony Speca (Penn State), linebacker Jojo Hayden (Illinois), and defensive lineman Curt Neal (Illinois). In the trenches, Purdue added three offensive lineman with starting experience. The Boilers got pledges from Micah Banuelos (USC), Boaz Stanley (South Carolina), and Nuke Mafi (Oklahoma State). Between the three of them, they played in 31 games and made 26 starts during the 2025 season.

Just 10 days into this portal cycle and it's clear that Odom and the Purdue staff want players who can come in and immediately make an impact. The Boilers are still going to have to build and develop this group in spring and fall camp, but they have already added a lot of really skilled and experienced pieces.

2026 Recruiting Class: Building for the Future

Purdue signed 21 players on national signing day Wednesday, including 20 high school players and one junior college transfer. Heading into Wednesday, Rivals ranked Purdue's 2026 recruiting class 56th nationally and 16th in the Big Ten.

Key Signings and Surprises

As signing day often goes, there were a few surprises. The Boilermakers' top two high school signees were committed to other Power Four programs entering Wednesday: defensive lineman Josiah Hope and safety Jett Goldsberry. Purdue tight end commit Dream Rashad signed with North Carolina and defensive line verbal commit Jamarcus Whyce signed with Maryland.

Two players from this season's roster, defensive back Sterling Smith and running back Jaheim Merriweather, announced their intent to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2. Those are two of Purdue's biggest positions of need. The Boilers addressed both in the 2026 signing class.

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Purdue Football 2026 Recruiting Class: A Detailed Look

Here is who signed with the Boilermakers.

Corin Berry, QB (signed)
- High school/hometown: Charter Oak/Covina, California
- Height/weight: 6-3, 195
- Rank: No. 1,063 nationally, No. 79 in California, No. 59 at position
- Note: Berry was originally committed to Boston College before flipping to Purdue in April.
Terrell Berryhill, OT (signed)
- High school/hometown: East St. Louis/East St. Louis, Illinois
- Height/weight: 6-6, 265
- Rank: No. 1,293 nationally, No. 35 in Illinois, No. 97 at position
Brock Brownfield, IOL (signed)
- High school/hometown: New Palestine/New Palestine
- Height/weight: 6-3, 250
- Rank: No. 753 nationally, No. 12 in Indiana, No. 74 at position
Max Carmicle, Edge (signed)
- High school/hometown: Hillcrest/Country Club Hills, Illinois
- Height/weight: 6-6, 215
- Rank: No. 860 nationally, No. 23 in Illinois, No. 91 at position
Kobe Cherry, DL (signed)
- High school/hometown: Center Grove/Greenwood
- Height/weight: 6-5, 285
- Rank: No. 1,923 nationally, No. 33 in Indiana, No. 174 at position
Raderrion Daniels, CB (signed)
- High school/hometown: Lake Cormorant/Lake Cormorant, Mississippi
- Height/weight: 6-2, 170
- Rank: No. 916 nationally, No. 27 in Mississippi, No. 83 at position
Jett Goldsberry, S (signed)
- High school/hometown: Heritage Hills/Lincoln City
- Height/weight: 6-0, 195
- Rank: No. 502 nationally, No. 8 in Indiana, No. 43 at position
- Note: Goldsberry is the son of former Purdue fullback Jon Goldsberry. He was committed to Ole Miss and flipped his commitment on signing day.
Dana Greenhow, S (signed)
- High school/hometown: Sandy Creek/Tyrone, Georgia
- Height/weight: 5-10/170
- Rank: No. 1,439 nationally, No. 146 in Georgia, No. 140 at position
Josiah Hope, DL (signed)
- High school/hometown: North Hardin/Radcliff, Kentucky
- Height/weight: 6-2, 315
- Rank: No. 430 nationally, No. 1 in Kentucky, No. 47 at position
- Note: Hope had been a Louisville verbal commit. He becomes Purdue's highest rated high school recruit in the 2026 class.
Jojo Johnson, WR (signed)
- High school/hometown: Benedictine/Richmond, Virginia
- Height/weight: 6-4, 175
- Rank: No. 1,628 nationally, No. 38 in Virginia, No. 244 at position
- Note: Johnson was committed to Coastal Carolina before flipping to Purdue on Sunday.
Brandon Kinsey, WR (signed)
- High school/hometown: Miami Central/Miami, Florida
- Height/weight: 6-0, 177
- Rank: No. 1,899 nationally, No. 223 in Florida, No. 277 at position
Dax Noles, S (signed)
- High school/junior college/hometown: Norman/Iowa Western/Norman, Oklahoma
- Height/weight: 6-0, 185
- Rank: No. 113 nationally (among junior college players), No. 10 at position
Cooper McCutchan, TE (signed)
- High school/hometown: Moeller/Cincinnati, Ohio
- Height/weight: 6-4/235
- Rank: No. 1,202 nationally, No. 56 in Ohio, No. 77 at position
Rico Schreiber, OT (signed)
- High school/hometown: Marist/Chicago
- Height/weight: 6-7, 345
- Rank: 3 stars, No. 1,687 nationally, No. 47 in Illinois, No. 126 at position
- Note: Schreiber was Purdue's first pledge in the 2026 class, committing in February.
Emoni Smith, S, (signed)
- High school/hometown: Westland/Galloway, Ohio
- Height/weight: 6-1, 165
- Rank: No. 1,265 nationally, No. 59 in Ohio, No. 120 at position
Aiden Solecki, DT (signed)
- High school/hometown: Downers Grove North/Downers Grove, Illinois
- Height/weight: 6-4, 250
- Rank: No. 1,527 nationally, No. 41 in Illinois, No. 147 at position
Brayden Sweeney, LB (signed)
- High school/hometown: Catholic Central/Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Height/weight: 6-2, 215
- Rank: No. 1,843 nationally, No. 32 in Michigan, No. 174 at position
ArMari Towns, TE (signed)
- High school/hometown: Southside/Selma, Alabama
- Height/weight: 6-6, 220
- Rank: No. 766 nationally, No. 28 in Alabama, No. 48 at position
Katrell Webb, edge (signed)
- High school/hometown: Collins Hill/Suwanee, Georgia
- Height/weight: 6-2, 225
- Rank: No. 738 nationally, No. 80 in Georgia, No. 78 at position
James Williams Jr., IOL (signed)
- High school/Hometown: Lawrence Central/Indianapolis
- Height/Weight: 6-3, 295
- Rank: 3 stars, No. 1,015 nationally, No. 18 in Indiana, No. 96 at position
Izaiah Wright, RB (signed)
- High school/hometown: Carlson/Rockwood, Michigan
- Height/weight: 5-10, 200
- Rank: No. 689 nationally, No. 15 in Michigan, No.

Identifying Talent: Key High School Prospects

The following is a list of high school prospects, including their positions, ratings, and high schools:

DL (H.S. 2026): 6-2.5, 315 lbs, North Hardin (Radcliff, KY), Industry Rating: 89.00
DL (H.S. 2023): 6-3, 255 lbs, Lafayette, Industry Rating: 88.85
S (H.S. 2026): 6-0, 195 lbs, Heritage Hills (Lincoln City, IN), Industry Rating: 87.73
RB (H.S. 2026): 5-10, 200 lbs, Oscar A. Carlson (Rockwood, MI), Industry Rating: 87.43
EDGE (H.S. 2026): 6-2, 225 lbs, Collins Hill (Suwanee, GA), Industry Rating: 87.37
S (H.S. 2024): 6-0, 185 lbs, Norman (Norman, OK), Industry Rating: 87.34
TE (H.S. 2026): 6-6, 220 lbs, Southside (Selma, AL), Industry Rating: 87.13
IOL (H.S. 2026): 6-3, 250 lbs, New Palestine (New Palestine, IN), Industry Rating: 86.83
DL (H.S. 2026): 6-6, 215 lbs, Hillcrest (Country Club Hills, IL), Industry Rating: 86.83
CB (H.S. 2026): 6-2, 170 lbs, Lake Cormorant (Lake Cormorant, MS), Industry Rating: 86.77
S (H.S. 2024): 6-0, 185 lbs, Seminole (Sanford, FL), Industry Rating: 86.49
IOL (H.S. 2026): 6-3, 295 lbs, Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, IN), Industry Rating: 86.47
QB (H.S. 2026): 6-3, 195 lbs, Charter Oak (Ontario, CA), Industry Rating: 86.43
TE (H.S. 2026): 6-4, 235 lbs, Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, OH), Industry Rating: 86.10
S (H.S. 2026): 6-1, 165 lbs, Westland (Galloway, OH), Industry Rating: 85.80
OT (H.S. 2026): 6-6, 265 lbs, East St. Louis (East St. Louis, IL), Industry Rating: 85.80
S (H.S. 2026): 5-10.5, 170 lbs, Sandy Creek (Tyrone, GA), Industry Rating: 85.47
WR (H.S. 2023): 6-4, 210 lbs, Legacy (Las Vegas, NV), Industry Rating: 85.34
DL (H.S. 2026): 6-5, 285 lbs, Center Grove (Greenwood, IN), Industry Rating: 85.20
DL (H.S. 2026): 6-4, 250 lbs, Downers Grove North (Downers Grove, IL), Industry Rating: 85.17
WR (H.S. 2026): 6-4, 175 lbs, Benedictine (Richmond, VA), Industry Rating: 84.87
OT (H.S. 2026): 6-7, 345 lbs, Marist (Chicago, IL), Industry Rating: 84.77
WR (H.S. 2026): 6-0, 177 lbs, Miami Central (Miami, FL), Industry Rating: 84.17
LB (H.S. 2026): 6-2, 215 lbs, Catholic Central (Grand Rapids, MI), Industry Rating: 83.90
K (H.S. 2026): 5-10, 170 lbs, Upper Saint Clair (Pittsburgh, PA), Industry Rating: 81.23
EDGE (H.S. 2022): 6-3, 245 lbs, Bartram Trail (Saint Augustine, FL), Industry Rating: 90.55
RB (H.S. 2024): 5-9.5, 215 lbs, IMG Academy (Gainesville, FL), Industry Rating: 88.68
IOL (H.S. 2022): 6-5, 265 lbs, North Oconee (Bogart, GA), Industry Rating: 88.30
DL (H.S. 2022): 6-0, 300 lbs, William Amos Hough (Cornelius, NC), Industry Rating: 87.98
S (H.S. 2022): 6-1.5, 164.6 lbs, Wylie E. Groves (Franklin, MI), Industry Rating: 87.68
RB (H.S. 2024): 6-0, 190 lbs, William Penn Charter (Philadelphia, PA), Industry Rating: 87.54
LB (H.S. 2023): 6-1, 223 lbs, East St. Louis (East St. Louis, IL), Industry Rating: 87.00
WR (H.S. 2022): 6-4, 215 lbs, Glenelg (Glenelg, MD), Industry Rating: 86.50
IOL (H.S. 2024): 6-3.5, 275 lbs, Martin (Arlington, TX), Industry Rating: 86.50
DL (H.S. 2023): 6-3, 260 lbs, Woodberry Forest (North Arlington, NJ), Industry Rating: 86.50
WR (H.S. 2022): 5-10, 170 lbs, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, FL), Industry Rating: 86.50
WR (H.S. 2023): 5-10, 166 lbs, Wekiva (Apopka, FL), Industry Rating: 86.50
CB (H.S. 2023): 6-0, 175 lbs, Miami Carol City (Miami, FL), Industry Rating: 86.00
TE (H.S. 2024): 6-4.5, 201.5 lbs, Grayson (Loganville, GA), Industry Rating: 86.00
OT (H.S. 2024): 6-5, 285 lbs, West (Salt Lake City, UT), Industry Rating: 86.00
RB (H.S. 2024): 5-9, 170 lbs, Creekside (Atlanta, GA), Industry Rating: 86.00
CB (H.S. 2022): 6-3, 180 lbs, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, CA), Industry Rating: 86.00
OT (H.S. 2023): 6-6, 315 lbs, Villa Rica (Villa Rica, GA), Industry Rating: 86.00
EDGE (H.S. 2022): 6-5, 235 lbs, Matoaca (Chesterfield, VA), Industry Rating: 85.50
S (H.S. 2024): 6-0.5, 185 lbs, Wyoming Seminary Upper School (Kingston, PA), Industry Rating: 85.50
S (H.S. 2023): 6-1, 195 lbs, Southaven (Southaven, MS), Industry Rating: 85.50
LB (H.S. 2024): 6-2, 226 lbs, Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA), Industry Rating: 85.50
DL (H.S. 2022): 6-4, 315 lbs, South Rowan (China Grove, NC), Industry Rating: 85.50
CB (H.S. 2023): 6-3, 170 lbs, Deshler Sch (Tuscumbia, AL), Industry Rating: 85.50
WR (H.S. 2024): 6-1.5, 200 lbs, Winslow Township (Camden, NJ), Industry Rating: 85.50
IOL (H.S. 2023): 6-3, 290 lbs, Kennedy Catholic (Burien, WA), Industry Rating: 85.00
LB (H.S. 2023): 6-0, 230 lbs, Cathedral (Indianapolis, IN), Industry Rating: 85.00
P (H.S. 2024): 6-2, 205 lbs, Jesuit (Dallas, TX), Industry Rating: 81.50

Overcoming Adversity: The Road Ahead

Purdue football's first season under coach Barry Odom didn't go as hoped, finishing 2-10 and going 0-9 in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers now move on to 2026.

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