Purdue Football: Key Transfer Portal and Offseason Additions for 2025

Since December 9 when the transfer portal opened, Purdue has been caught in a whirlwind of a storm. The team hired a new head coach, and lost their best players in the portal. However, the Purdue Boilermakers signed an impressive recruiting class and have made plenty of moves in the transfer portal. Let’s take a look at these moves and what grade the program deserves for them.

Offseason Additions for Purdue

Coaching Hires

Head Coach: Barry Odom

Prior to being the head coach at Purdue, Barry Odom was the HC at UNLV for two years and led them to their best back-to-back seasons in school history with a record of 19-8. Before being the Rebel’s HC, Odom served as the defensive coordinator for multiple programs and was the head coach at Missouri from 2016-2019 where he went 25-25 before being let go.

Offensive Coordinator/TE Coach: Josh Henson

Josh Henson has been an offensive coordinator and position’s coach at six other Power 5 schools going back to 1999. His most recent role was the OC at USC from 2022 until this past season.

Quarterback Coach: Darin Hinshaw

Darin Hinshaw has served as a positional coach for multiple schools. His most recent role was OC/QB coach for University of Central Florida from 2022 to 2024.

Running Back Coach: Lamar Conard

Lamar Conard has served as the RB coach for both Illinois State and Miami (OH) before taking the role of RB coach at Purdue in 2022.

Wide Receiver Coach/Asst HC: Cornell Ford

Cornell Ford has served as a positional coach under Odom in each of the six seasons that he was a head coach. Each time, Ford served as the coach for the position that Odom thought was going to be the most impactful. He will serve as the WR’s coach at Purdue, so expect a strong passing game.

Offensive Line Coach: Vance Vice

Vance Vice previously served as the OL coach at UNLV with Odom. He is one of the few coaches following Odom from UNLV.

Defensive Coordinator/LB Coach: Mike Scherer

Mike Scherer has served the past two years as Barry Odom’s DC and LB coach at UNLV. Prior to that, he was the LB coach at Arkansas when Odom was the DC.

Defensive Line Coach: Kelvin Green

Kelvin Green has spent the past three years as defensive quality control at Arkansas. He began his time there under Barry Odom, who was the defensive coordinator. Prior to that, Green was the LB coach and eventual DC/Asst. HC at Delta State University.

Edge Coach: Jake Trump

Jake Trump will be the defensive end and edge rusher coach at Purdue. He most recently spent five years at Arkansas also serving in a defensive quality control role with Kelvin Green.

Defensive Backs Coach: Charles Clark

Clark spent the past five years at Memphis serving as their defensive backs coach and assistant head coach. He coached an All-AAC DB each season he was at Memphis.

Special Teams Coordinator: James Shibest

James Shibest is one of the most tenured coaches on the Purdue Boilermakers. He has been coaching college football since 1990 and has been a STC since 2000. He was the STC for Odom at UNLV both years.

Coaching Grade: B+

Overall, this group of coaches have plenty of experience, and most are almost overqualified in their respective roles. It’s hard to argue against these coaching decisions. They may not be the best from a popularity standpoint, but they are good hires for the Purdue program.

Key Transfer Portal & Recruiting Additions for the Purdue Boilermakers

The Purdue Boilermakers have an incoming class with a total of 27 players between recruits and transfers. There’s a lot of hope, considering it’s coach Odom’s first class as the head coach. With all these players coming in, it’s important for fans to learn about who they are, where they come from, and why they matter to this new coaching staff.

Offensive Additions

Quarterbacks

Malachi Singleton (Arkansas)

Malachi Singleton transfers in with three years of eligibility. He played in five games this past year where he completed 21-of-28 passes for 358 yards, a touchdown. Singleton also added 17 rushing attempts for 74 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a duel-threat QB who came in relief against then-No. 5 Tennessee to win the game. Sounds like a Boilermaker already.

EJ Colson (Central Florida)

EJ Colson also transfers in with three years of eligibility. He played in three games in 2024, completing 9-of-16 for 64 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Colson is more of a pocket passing quarterback and should be added depth in the room.

Evans Chuba (Washington State)

Evans Chuba comes in with four years of eligibility after redshirting this past season. He likely won’t see any action with Purdue this year, but could grow into a depth option on the team.

Running Backs

Malachi Thomas (Virginia Tech)

Malachi Thomas comes to Purdue as a graduate transfer portal player as depth for the Boilermakers after Reggie Love III‘s graduation. Thomas has always been a good RB2 on the VT team. Over his four years, he has totaled 256 rushes for 1132 yards and seven touchdowns. As a pass-cacher, Thomas has 28 receptions for 198 yards and a TD.

Wide Receivers

Charles Ross (USC)

Charles Ross has been a journeyman in college, as Purdue is his fourth university in six years. His three best years came while at San Jose State, where he totaled 65 receptions, 856 yards, and four touchdowns. Throughout his career, Ross has averaged 12.9 yards per reception. Expect him to fill a similar deep threat role with the Boilermakers.

Chauncey Magwood (Central Florida)

Chauncey Magwood also adds experience to the WR room. He has spent the past two years at Central Florida, and two years at Kentucky prior to that. While he only has 17 receptions for 263 yards, he also played the deep threat role at both schools. The pairing of Magwood and Ross will hopefully keep opposing secondaries on their toes.

Nathan Leacock (Tennessee)

Nathan Leacock is a former top-100 recruit who has spent the past two years at Tennessee. Unfortunately, he has been stuck on the depth chart in a deep receiving room. Leacock only recorded one reception for 13 yards in the five games he played this past season.

The receiver has so much unseen potential that coach Odom and his staff will look to unleash and develop him into the next great WR for Purdue.

Isaiah Myers (Charlotte)

Isaiah Myers is a speedster who was a Juco All-American two years ago. This past year, Myers played at Charlotte where he recorded 13 receptions for 237 yards with three touchdowns. It appears that coach Odom’s has been looking to bring deep threat receivers, seeing as Myers had the highest yards per reception at 19.8.

Tight Ends

Luca Puccinelli (Wake Forest)

Excluding the obvious advantage Luca Puccinelli has with his dope name, he also adds a big-body presence as a redshirt freshman. He did not get any snaps for Wake Forest this past year. Just like Leacock, Puccinelli is all potential and upside.

Christian Earls (UNLV)

Christian Earls is a mountain of a man. Standing at 6-foot-8 and 290 pounds, Earls is primarily a blocking tight end. There’s a chance that if he performs well, he could receive similar conversations about switching to offensive tackle that Darnell Washington received.

Christian Moore (UNLV)

Christian Moore and Earls both followed coach Odom from UNLV. While Earls is more of a sixth lineman, Moore is every bit of a FB/TE type of blocking TE. Should Purdue ever have both on the field at the same time, expect them to be key players in a strong rushing attack.

Offensive Line

Hank Purvis (UNLV)

Purdue brought in three key offensive linemen through the transfer portal from UNLV. With three years of eligibility left, Hank Purvis will be a strong foundational piece for the next three years in the interior.

Mason Vicari (UNLV)

Mason Vicari also transfers to Purdue with three years of eligibility. Vicari joins Purvis in strengthening and forming a strong foundation for Purdue’s interior of the offensive line.

Jalen St. John (UNLV)

Jalen St. John transfers in alongside his former UNLV Rebels to help form this new line for Purdue. While he only has one year left, he will be playing on the outside of the line in what is sure to help keep whoever wins the starting QB role safe and secure.

Defensive Additions

Edge

CJ Nunnally IV (Akron)

CJ Nunnally was a monster with the Akron Zips. In 2023, he was second in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in tackles for loss. In 2024, he was second in the MAC for forced fumbles. Over his two years at Arkon, he had 59 solo tackles, 62 assists, and 13 sacks. Nunnally should be an instant contributor for Purdue in 2025.

Breeon Ishmail (Michigan)

Breeon Ishmail has been buried on the depth chart at Michigan. He transfers to Purdue with three years of eligibility to develop his game. While at Michigan, he was a great run stopping defensive end who also was able to apply some pressure on QBs. While he’s not the big-play type of Edge like Nunnally, Ishmail is sure to be a solid rotational guy for the Boilermakers.

T.J. Lindsey (Auburn)

T.J. Lindsey comes to Purdue like Nathan Leacock and Luca Puccineli (still the best name in the transfer class) with all four years of eligibility. He looks to develop his skills and add some pressure on opposing QBs over the next four years.

Linebackers

Mani Powell (UNLV)

Mani Powell is coming off of a career-best season in every metric. His 29 tackles, 30 assists, nine tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks would be impressive for a defensive lineman. However, it’s even more impressive given that he’s a linebacker. Powell is sure to help the Boilermakers in the box in 2025.

Carson Dean (Arkansas)

Carson Dean transfers to Purdue with three years of eligibility remaining. Dean only played in three games over his two years to Arkansas. He is also a player full of potential with little known of him as a player.

Alex Sanford (Arkansas)

Alex Sanford also transfer from Arkansas with two years of eligibility left. Much like Dean, he was a player who recorded very few stats over his time at his previous university.

Defensive Backs

Tahj Ra-El (Memphis)

Tahj Ra-El follows his DB coach from Memphis to Purdue. He was one of the most productive players in the G5 the past four years. His 68 solo tackles, 84 assists, six TFLs, two interceptions, and eight pass deflections are sure to help the Boilermakers fill the hole at safety left behind by Dillon Thieneman.

Richard Toney Jr. (TCU)

Richard Toney Jr. comes to Purdue in the transfer portal to help the Boilermakers fill the massive hole left by all the outgoing transfers. He’s a similar type of DB as Cam Allen was with the Boilermakers.

Toney is a big play waiting to happen any time the ball is thrown at him. He proved this two years ago in a career-year that saw him accumulate 46 solo tackles, four TFLs, and two interceptions returned for touchdowns. This ball-hawking style of play is something that can bring a lot of excitement for the Boilermaker fans.

Tony Grimes (UNLV)

Tony Grimes was a highly sought after recruit when he came out of high school. While he is now heading to his fourth school in six years, Grimes has always been a steady presence for the teams he’s played for. Expect him to not be a playmaker, but a locker room leader.

Ryan Turner (Boston College)

Ryan Turner transfers in to Purdue from Boston College, and Ohio State before that. While he has not had as exciting of a career as the other transfers, he has plenty of starting experience that is sure to be beneficial for the Boilers at cornerback.

Crew Wakley (BYU)

Crew Wakley (potential All-American Name) transfers to Purdue after two great years at BYU. Over the last two years, he’s had 31 solo tackles, five TFLs, and three interceptions. He looks to be a great addition for the Boilermakers.

Chad Brown (Nevada)

Chad Brown is another player who may not have flashy stats. However, he has so much experience that he is sure to help fill a need for the Boilers.

Special Teams

Punter

Sam Dubwig (Arkansas)

Sam Dubwig enters Purdue through the transfer portal to fill the void left by outgoing transfer Keelan Crimmins. Dubwig did not have a punt during his redshirt freshman year at Arkansas.

Key Departures for Purdue

So far, Purdue has 30 players from last year that have entered the transfer portal and have decided not to return to the Boilermakers. Here are a few major names on both sides of the ball.

Offensive Departures

Max Klare, Tight End

Tight end Max Klare has left in search of improving his draft stock and to compete for a national title. His decision to transfer to Ohio State is excellent for him, and horrible for Purdue.

Mahamane Moussa, Left Tackle

Left tackle Mahamane Moussa has transferred to Louisville to follow coach Jeff Brohm. Like Klare, he is also looking to improve his draft stock and compete for a national title. Louisville is not the best school he could have transferred to, but it makes sense that he wants to go back to playing with the head coach that recruited him.

Marcos Davilla & Ryan Browne, Quarterback

Both these quarterbacks are moving on from Purdue to seek greener pastures. Marcos Davila has decided to transfer to Nebraska, while Ryan Browne is seeking a starting role at North Carolina.

While Ryan Browne is heading to a program that has an unknown future, Davila is heading to a program with an extremely talented quarterback in Dylan Raiola.

Defensive Departures

Dillon Thieneman, Safety

Safety Dillon Thieneman was the best player on Purdue’s roster for the past two seasons. Thieneman was an all-star player who could turn around a game by himself. He has decided to continue his development at Oregon.

Like many on this list, he is transferring to a program where he can show off his skills at the top level and increase his draft stock while competing for a title. Overall, Thieneman is making the best possible for himself, which we have to applaud.

Will Heldt, Defensive End

Will Heldt is leaving the Boilers to continue his college career at Clemson. Clemson is a program that has not made many big moves in the transfer portal in the past, so this is big for them.

Heldt will be a starter for them next year and it will help improve his draft stock. While he is transferring to one of the top ACC programs, he could show his skills against one of the top Big Ten or SEC schools like when Nic Scourton transferred out last year.

The Defensive Back Room

This one is a bit of a joke, but readers should know that the already bad Boilermaker secondary is losing a total of eight players to the transfer portal. Most of these players are going to programs where they will have starting roles or compete for starting roles.