I thought we were going to get a depth chart today, but we didn’t. The coaching staff basically said they know who is playing, but they haven’t sorted out the depth chart yet, and still have four practices to figure some things out. That’s not exactly comforting, but Garrett and I have pieced this thing together from a bunch of different sources and think the starters are relatively accurate. If we get an official depth chart before the Ball State game, we’ll update this article.
#15 – Ryan Browne: So. – 6-4 210 – Clarkston, Mich. (Venice (Fla.))
#3 – Malachi Singleton: So. – 6-1, 235 – Kennesaw, Ga. (Arkansas) OR#18 – Bennett Meredith: Jr. – 6-3 200 Hoover, Ala. (Arizona State)
Not really a head-scratcher that the veteran Browne was named the starter. As we had mostly agreed on in the staff roundtable discussion, there’s a short leash here. Browne should be fine against the Boilers’ first two opponents of the season; beyond that, as long as he can avoid turning over the ball once the conference schedule starts, he’ll keep his job. I can see some late snaps for both Singleton and Meredith in the first two games against Ball State and Southern Illinois as long as Purdue maintains a sturdy lead.
I agree with Garrett here. Browne will get every opportunity to show he has the juice at quarterback in the first two games of the season. I’d love to see him come out and make the job his for the foreseeable future, but there is a reason Coach Odom didn’t name the starter until last week.
If Browne struggles, Singleton is a dynamic playmaker who looked good in live action last season. Even if Brown doesn’t struggle, they may want to see what Singleton can bring to the offense in these first two ball games. Meredith is the safe choice, but a less dynamic one and doesn’t bring as much in the run game as Browne or Singleton.
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – OCTOBER 18: Ryan Browne #15 of the Purdue Boilermakers avoids a tackle from Nikko Reed #9 of the Oregon Ducks during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 18, 2024 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) Getty Images
#45 – Devin Mockobee: Sr. – 6-0, 202 – Boonville, Ind. (Boonville)
# 24 – Malachi Thomas: Sr. – 6-0, 220 – Hartwell, Ga. (Virginia Tech) OR#23 – Jaheim Merriweather: So. – 6-2, 215 – Jackson, Tenn. (Bearden) OR#20 – Jaron Thomas: Fr. – 6-0, 210 – Elkhart, Ind. (Concord)
Our favorite former walk-on Devin Mockobee leads the pack (as expected). Crazy Legs has had a heck of a career in West Lafayette, and he’ll be RB1 in his final year of eligibility. Transfer Malachi Thomas has a lot of experience coming from Virginia Tech, having two very impressive seasons while missing a lot of time with foot injuries. Should he stay healthy, that’s an outstanding transfer portal score, as, at 6’0” and 220 lbs., he is a great compliment to Mockobee, a shiftier back (but now up to 202 pounds!).
Beyond those two, I think we see splits at third string between Merriweather and Thomas.
This was the easy one. Mockobee is the bell cow, and everyone else will fight over the remaining carries. Freshman Jaron Thomas has made an impact during camp as a true freshman and could be the future of the program moving forward, but Mockobee is clearly the present of the program. I still like Merriweather, but I haven’t heard much about him coming out of camp. I’ll be interested to see if he’s in the mix or if Thomas can force his way up the depth chart with pure talent.
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 16: Devin Mockobee #45 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 16, 2024 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) Getty Images
#81 – George Burhenn: So. – 6-5, 235 – McCordsville, Ind. (Mt. Vernon)
#44 – Christian Moore: Sr. – 6-3, 250 – Huntington Beach, Calif. (UNLV) or#17 – Rico Walker: Jr. – 6-3, 250 – Hickory, N.C. (Auburn)
In terms of TE1, this one also seems about as expected following the transfer of Max Klare and Drew Biber. I like Burhenn and think he’s good enough of a blocker and has solid hands in traffic. I like his fit in an RPO offense where he can use his athletic ability to beat a linebacker off the line. He’s one of the best athletes on the team, but he’s been injured way more than he’s been healthy.
Beyond that, we have two experienced transfers. One of whom, Christian Moore, played for Barry Odom at UNLV. Moore started 11 games under Odom last year after transferring from Kansas State and will play more of a fullback / H-back role in the offense.
Rico Walker comes to Purdue from Auburn by way of Maryland, where he played in a total of 13 games between the two schools in two seasons. He’s a physical specimen, and if he gets it going, Purdue could have a couple of excellent tight ends.
Experience-wise, I’m pretty pleased with this group. If Burhenn is healthy, he should lead the group in receptions, but if he’s not, Rico Walker could step up and have a solid year as well.
Agree, I like the talent and experience (be it somewhat limited in actual game experience) in this room. Burhenn is the wild card. He could be the best player on the field, or he could crumple to the turf in warmups and never be seen again. Purdue really needs him to provide Ryan Browne with a safety blanket.
It sounds like Walker got things going as camp progressed and could give Purdue another big target in the middle of the field. When Purdue gets into short yardage and needs a push, look for Moore and Walker to provide.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 25: Purdue TE George Burhenn (81) runs the ball in for a touchdown during a college football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers on November 25, 2023 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
#2 – Michael Jackson III: Sr. – 6-0, 205 – Las Vegas, Nev. (Georgia)
USC’s Michael Jackson III points to the fans after he scored a touchdown against Tulane during the 87th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on Monday, January 2, 2023. COTTONBOWL
#6 – Arhmad Branch: So. – 6-0 185 – Festus, Mo. (Festus) OR
#5 – Chauncey Magwood: Sr. – 6-0, 200 – Albany, Ga. (UCF)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 12: Arhmad Branch #6 of the Purdue Boilermakers rushes for a touchdown during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) Getty Images
#0 – Nitro Tuggle: So. – 6-1, 195 – Goshen, Ind. (Georgia)
Nov 16, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Nitro Tuggle (2) runs after a catch against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Other Potential Contributors
#3 – EJ Horton Jr.: Sr. – 6-1, 190 – Louisville, Ky. (FAU)
#0 – Jesse Watson: R-Fr. – 5-9, 172 – St. Louis, Mo. (East St. Louis)
#11 Tra’Mar Harris: R-Fr. – 6-1, 195 – Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods)
Note From Drew: De’Nylon Morrissette would be listed as WR3, but according to coach Odom, he may be out for the opener against Ball State. It doesn’t sound like anything serious, but Coach Odom is extremely cagy when it comes to injuries.
Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Jesse Watson (10) runs with the ball Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, during the NCAA football game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 49-0.
Very talented group, here. A lot of speed. Not as much experience as in other position groups. This is gonna come down to how accurate a quarterback can be with some explosive receivers, and some of these guys turning potential into production.
Nitro Tuggle is the most anticipated transfer as one of the fastest receivers in college football. At one point, he ran a sub-4.3 40-yard dash. No real updates on that since he’s put on college muscle, but he’s insanely fast.
This is probably the most up-in-the-air (pun very much intended) position group, as there are a lot of newbies, relative newbies, and transfers. De’Nylon Morissette, who showed flashes last year for the Boilermakers, may be out for the start of the season.
I see the talent, but I need to see the production. Michael Jackson III. should be the number one receiver in this group. He’s had flashes over his USC career that made people think the former 4* wide receiver out of Nevada was going to take off, but he’s never put it together over the course of an entire season.
Arhmad Branch, a former 4* receiver himself, bet on himself and Purdue when he exited the transfer portal once Barry Odom was named head coach. According to most accounts, he was consistently one of the best on the practice field. Magwood has played a ton of football between his time at Kentucky and UCF, but hasn’t caught a ton of footballs. Now would be a good time for him to show those other two schools what they’ve been missing.
Nitro Tuggle has an elite name and elite speed. The former 4* recruit is looking to come back home to Indiana and bounce back after a shaky start to his career that included a serious off-the-field incident involving reckless driving. He’s the best athlete Purdue has recruited at wide receiver since Rondale Moore.
#79 – Joey Tanona: Jr. – 6-6, 305 – Zionsville, Ind. (Notre Dame)
#72 – Jude McCoskey: Jr. – 6-8, 325 – Terre Haute, Ind. (Indiana State)
I’m going to take the offensive line solo because I’ve been studying this group all offseason.
We all know Tanona’s story, the former 4* Notre Dame recruit is coming back off a devastating car accident his freshman year of Notre Dame that left him with a traumatic brain injury. He was medically retired at one point, but it sounds like he’s 100% back and should be the cornerstone of the offensive line. He came into camp and made it clear that he was the starting left tackle.
McCoskey is massive, but I’m not sure how he holds up against an elite Big 10 speed rush. Hopefully, we don’t have to find out.
CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 12: Purdue Boilermakers Offensive Lineman Joey Tanona (79) blocks Illinois Fighting Illini Outside Linebacker Seth Coleman (9) during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 12, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
#74 – Jalen St. John: Sr. – 6-5, 330 – St. Louis, Mo. (UNLV)
#8 – Hank Purvis: So. – 6-5, 360 – Wichita, Kan. (UNLV)
St. John came over from UNLV and is the leader of this unit. He’s a massive human who can also play left tackle, where he started 14 games for Coach Odom last season. Run blocking is the name of the game for Jalen. Once he starts rolling, he doesn’t stop until the last echo of the whistle.
Purvis is another UNLV transfer. He’s roughly the size of a barn and could be a long-term solution at guard once St. John graduates.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 30: The UNLV Rebels, including (L-R) running back Jai’Den Thomas #9, offensive linemen Mason Vicari #51 and Jalen St. John #74, defensive back Tre Fulton #10 and defensive lineman Keith Conley Jr. #99, celebrate on the field after the team’s 38-14 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack at Allegiant Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Getty Images
#76 – Ethan Trent: So. – 6-2, 295 – Carmel, Ind. (Carmel) OR
#62 – Giordano Vaccaro: Sr. – 6-3, 315 – Winnipeg, Manitoba (University of Manitoba) OR
#55 – Bradyn Joiner: So. – 6-2, 310 – Anniston, Ala. (Auburn)
It sounds like Ethan Trent is going to start at either center or guard, and the former walk-on has scratched and clawed his way up the depth chart during camp. He plays with mean streak and a non-stop motor and when he’s cut, bleeds black and gold.
Vaccaro is another interesting story. He’s looking to test his mettle in the US after being named U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian in 2024 as a junior at Manitoba. No idea who it works out, but he’s been one of the guys rotating in at center with the first team.
Ideally, either Trent or Vaccaro grabs the center spot, and Bradyn Jointer, an SEC All-Freshman team selection who started five games at Auburn last season, can slot in at guard and remain there for the next two seasons.
Purdue Boilermakers running back Jaheim Merriweather (3) celebrates with Purdue Boilermakers offensive lineman Ethan Trent (76) after scoring Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, during the NCAA football game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 49-0.
#76 – Ethan Trent: So. – 6-2, 295 – Carmel, Ind. (Carmel) OR
#55 – Bradyn Joiner: So. – 6-2, 310 – Anniston, Ala. (Auburn)
If Trent struggles with snapping the ball, he’ll slide to guard, and Joiner will move to center. Like I said above, Trent has entrenched himself in the starting lineup with his work ethic this offseason. It’s only a question of which position he’s going to play.
AUBURN, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 21: Offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner #55 of the Auburn Tigers prior to their game against the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) Getty Images
#78 – Bakyne Coly: Sr. – 6-7, 300 – Farmington, Mich. (Lawrence Tech)
#71 – Marques Easley: R-Fr. – 6-6, 320 – Kankakee, Ill. (Georgia)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – SEPTEMBER 30: Purdue OL Bakyne Coly (78) blocks during a college football game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Purdue Boilermakers on September 30, 2023 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Coly, a former basketball JuCo basketball player who decided to try his hand at football has been rewarded with a starting spot on a Big 10 roster. You’re not going to find a better athlete at right tackle. It’s all about playing physical and assignment sound football for the big man. He may have NFL upside if the mental side of the game catches up with his ample physical talents.
Speaking of ample physical talents, Marques Easley looks like an NFL tackle. I expect to see him on the field early, and it wouldn’t shock me if he is splitting time or starting somewhere along the line (either right guard or tackle) before the end of the season. Ideally, Coly holds his own, Easley gets some needed seasoning as a primary back-up, and Purdue already has their bookend tackles on the roster for next season with Tanona and Easley.