Skip to main content
purdue logo

Freshman Rigby ready to make impact

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•08/27/24•

TomDienhart1

rigby

The chatter about Shamar Rigby began early during Purdue training camp and has persisted with the start of the school year. There’s a palpable buzz around the true freshman wideout.

Now, with Purdue poised to open the season on Saturday vs. Indiana State at noon ET on BTN, Rigby is listed as a starter.

Eight true freshmen are in the Purdue depth chart. Two are listed as starters: Rigby and CB Tarrion Grant. If both do end up starting, it will be the first time since 2019 at Nevada that the Boilermakers will have started two true freshmen in the opener. That year, it was DE George Karlaftis and LB/S Jalen Graham, who each went on to be NFL draft picks.

“Shamar Rigby has been a guy who anytime you bring in a freshman, just don’t know what they’re capable of, especially, he got here, he wasn’t one of the guys that was an early enrollee, but I anticipate him playing significant minutes for us,” said Ryan Walters. “He’s a talented kid and very, very bright.”

Rigby arrived in West Lafayette with no fanfare, a three-star prospect from Clearwater Central Catholic High in St. Petersburg, Fla. He is one of four freshman receivers in Purdue’s Class of 2024. The staff also imported three portal wideouts and a JC receiver. It is against that crowded backdrop that Rigby has stood out.

“The guy is locked in,” said Purdue receivers coach Cory Patterson. “The guy works hard. He’s a little bit different. He’s maybe a little more mature. He’s not gonna let the older guys come out and get the work he’s not gonna get. If the guys are in catching the ball late at night, he’s gonna have his butt with them. He’s smart enough to do those type of things.”

MORE: 2024 Purdue roster | The 3-2-1: True freshman starters, Saturday’s stakes, Purdue roster churn and more

This is a receiving unit that has undergone rampant change, with key targets like Deion Burks, T.J. Sheffield, Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen, Elijah Canion and Mershawn Rice all leaving via the portal after last year. Purdue needed options. Rigby was a long shot to be one of the answers, but he’s poised to help.

“He’s just a playmaker that comes in here with tons of confidence,” said receiver Andrew Sowinski. “Especially for a freshman — a lot of moxie and poise. And I mean, he’s just been able to make plays.” 

How much can Rigby help? The last true freshman wideout to reach double-digit receptions is Milton Wright in 2019 with 18.

“He’s 100 percent locked in in the meetings, walkthroughs, whatever,” Sowinski said. “It’s helping to bring along some of the younger guys, too, because they’re seeing how he’s handling his business and working, so they want to be like that, too.” 

(Purdue doesn’t permit true freshmen to speak to the media, so Rigby is unable to comment for this story.)

At 6-3, Rigby, who chose Purdue over the likes of West Virginia, Pitt, Kansas State, Kentucky and Louisville, showed an ability to elevate and get the ball in camp. He also is shifty and has picked up the nuance of route-running.

“What’s been probably the most impressive thing about him is there’s been zero hesitation,” said Purdue offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. “It doesn’t mean he’s been perfect, obviously. And I’m sure he’s busted a play or two here or there on the first couple of days. But he plays with no fear, no hesitation and because of that, he’s made a lot of plays.” 

2024 true freshmen most likely to use year of eligibility

Position, player
S Smiley Bradford
CB Tarrion Grant
DL Demeco Kennedy
RB Jaheim Merriweather
K Spencer Porath
WR Shamar Rigby

You may also like