Deep Dive: Spring Practice No. 5
It’s informative, it’s analytical, it’s opinionated, it’s the Deep Dive, a look at today’s football practice.
• Chilly start gave way to a beautiful morning for practice in West Lafayette. Per usual, the practice was well-structured and went at a quick pace, running about 23 periods. At one point, there were three “scrimmages” going on at the same time. No time is wasted. Everyone is getting reps.
• Keep an eye on UNLV transfer LB Mani Powell. He’s an athletic quick-striker who looks primed for a big role. Along with Alex Sanford and Winston Berglund, the linebacker unit has some potential. Berglund was a bit limited today.
• Looked like QBs EJ Colson and Evans Chuba were getting reps with the first-team. Malachi Singleton and Bennett Meredith getting the other set of reps.
• Big Gus Hartwig watched the last part of practice. He’s in town working out as the NFL draft looms next month. He said he and Marcus Mbow worked out for the Buffalo Bills this morning. Hartwig also said he had a recent Zoom with the Cardinals and has one coming up with the Lions.
• Barry Odom is a true CEO head coach, standing back and watching his coaches coach. He observes, offers some advice and is always scribbling notes.
MORE: Gallery, spring practice No. 5
• Your top two slot CBs: Smiley Bradford and D’Mon Marable.
• The top d-line today: C.J. Madden and Trey Smith on the edges with Jamarius Dinkins and TJ Lindsey inside.
• Purdue wanted to add length to the wideout unit and appears to have done so. There are some good-looking targets: Nathan Leacock, Isaiah Myers, De’Nylon Morrissette, Charles Ross and EJ Horton. Chauncey Magwood lacks height but is well built.
• Long snapper Nick Levy made a point of saying this staff devotes more practice time to special teams than the previous. Remember: He hopped in the portal but returned after a convincing convo with Odom. If you’re looking for a guy to root for, pull for Levy.
• At 60, special teams coordinator James Shibest is the elder statesman of the staff. An affable sort with country charm, Shibest said he probably will keep two kickers, two punters and two long snappers. Some of the kickers/punters likely will need to be able to do both. Shibest did say what we all knew: He is shopping for a portal kicker but he did seem impressed with holdover Spencer Porath.
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• Purdue welcomed four recruits today:
2026 QB Jarin Mock, Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Pickerington North
2026 DT Jude Okeleke, Watertown, Conn./Taft School
2026 RB Mason Meister, Lafayette, Ind./Central Catholic
2028 QB Jack Quillen, Indianapolis/Warren Central
Mock has offers from Wisconsin, Miami (Ohio), Marshall, Central Michigan and UMass, in addition to Purdue.
Pitt, Syracuse, Minnesota, West Virginia, Duke, UConn have offered Okeleke. Purdue has not offered him or Meister or Quillen.
• I didn’t see S Crew Wakley today. Also still out: DL Mo Omonode; S Tahj Ra-El; RB Malachi Thomas.
• Purdue football sports info wonk Adam Kuffner is engaged to be married in July 2026. Got engaged in December. Congrats!
• Purdue will be off until March 25, as spring break for the university is next week. The staff will still be making recruiting calls. The spring game is April 12.
