Deep Dive: Purdue football Spring Showcase

It’s informative, it’s analytical, it’s opinionated, it’s the Deep Dive, a look at today’s football practice.

• Beautiful day for football in West Lafayette, the best day of all during the 15 spring sessions. A nice, modest crowd turned out to watch the team scrimmage and run various drills.

• Yes, today’s Spring Showcase put the finishing touches on spring ball. But this team is a far, far, far way from being a finished product. How many of the players did we see today that will jump in the portal on Wednesday, when it opens for 10 days until April. 25? Barry Odom said before spring ball we could see as many as 20 players be added via the portal. So, someone has to go as Purdue must work with a 105-man roster in 2025.

“I don’t know,” said Odom. “A lot will depend on how many guys we have leave the program. … Every decision we make is to try to get the best 105 in here that we can. And we’ll see what that looks like as we get into fall camp.”

• One position on everyone’s mind: Quarterback. Is there any clarity?

“I think, number one, Bennett Meredith has made a lot of strides,” said Odom. “They all have (Malachi Singleton, EJ Colson and Evans Chuba). Bennett is a guy that was here that has made a big-time jump. Excited about what he’s done. We’ve got some tough conversations and decisions to make here on really what it looks like going into now this next phase of April, May, and then you’ll be getting ready June and July. I think we’ve got elements of guys that have an opportunity to go play winning ball. We just got to get them all there.”

There is a growing sentiment Purdue will look for a true No. 1 QB in the portal. Stay tuned for what shapes up as the biggest portal storyline for the new staff. Who could Purdue land? Some names–just spit-balling, here–for your radar: Houston’s Conner Weigman, USC’s Jayden Maiava and South Carolina’s Air Noland.

Chuba may be the most talented, but he needs maturity and to better value the ball. Meredith throws the most accurate ball, but is he athletic enough to execute the QB runs this offense requires?

MORE: Gallery Purdue Spring Showcase

• Ethan Trent was put on scholarship earlier this week, getting the news after practice on Thursday. And it was a surprise to him.

How many texts did he get?

“A lot,” he said. “The support was so overwhelming. Incredible. It was great to hear from all different type of people who effected my life. There was a point I had to put my phone on do not disturb it was just like stressing me out too much. It was incredible. I felt super loved.”

How did Trent celebrate the news? He called his parents and got something to eat.

• TE George Burhenn suffered an ankle injury in last week’s scrimmage. Odom said he underwent “really successful surgery” last Wednesday.

“We expect him back full ready to go Game One,” said Odom.

• Are there any difference makers at wideout? When asked, Odom talked about Charles Ross, Arhmad Branch and De’Nylon Morriessette. Don’t forget about Chauncey Magwood, who is out with what’s believed to be an ankle/foot injury but should be cleared in June, according to Odom. Magwood is thought to be one of the team’s top wideouts. Still, look for help to be mined from the portal. There doesn’t appear to be a true No. 1 wideout on the roster.

• Lots of recruits on hand today, including Jett Goldsberry, who is seeing his recruitment blow up. He has offers from North Carolina, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and others.

• Spoke to Kydran Jenkins, who said he has talked to the Lions, Colts, Patriots and Seahawks. He remains in town training, waiting for the draft.

MORE: Spring football content portal

• Impressed by the progress on the d-line by Trey Smith, Chops Harkless and CJ Madden.

• Top seven o-linemen: Giordano Vaccaro, Mason Vicari, Ethan Trent, Bayne Coly, Jaden Ball, Jalen St. John and Joey Tanona. After that? Dont’ be shocked if Purdue adds 4-5 linemen in the portal.

• Many former Boilers were on hand, including David Bell, Markus Bailey, Danny Anthrop, Vinny Sutherland, Chris Clopton, Kelly Kitchel, Kelly Butler and Kevin Sumlin, among others.

Speaking of Sumlin: He is no longer coaching. No. 44 looks good. Eager to see what’s next for Sumlin, who most recently was working at Maryland.

• The Ross-Ade Brigade was out today, practicing its “IU SUCKS” kickoff chant. It sounded like the group is in midseason form.

• Also on hand today: Gene Keady. He’s a football guy!

Legendary @BoilerBall Coach Gene Keady got things started at @BoilerFootball’s Spring Showcase 🥁#B1GFootball x #B1GMBBall pic.twitter.com/iOGlOPhvXt

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) April 12, 2025