Skip to main content
purdue logo

GoldandBlack.com grid mail bag: Talking DBs, WRs, Ryan B, Mock, night games and more

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•05/09/25•

TomDienhart1

1 copy 7

Time to answer the Purdue football questions that pulsate through your brain in a mailbag. To read and enjoy all of the responses, click here.

Q: Best guess at the starting secondary?
-SactusGrow
A: Tough question with so many new pieces in the back end. Purdue’s base defense will be a 4-2-5. Here is my best guess on the secondary: CB Hudauri Hines, CB Tony Grimes, NB Stu Smith, S  An’Darius Coffey, S Tahj Ra-El. I feel pretty good about Hines and Grimes at corner. The safeties? I really am not sure. There are so many new faces. The competition will be good. Six have been added since the end of 2024: An’Darius Coffey (Northwestern), Mar’Ques “Hershey” McLaurin (Houston), Tahj Ra-El (Memphis), Myles Slusher (Colorado), Richard Toney (TCU), Crew Wakley (BYU).

Q: How many wins if we get Illinois Ryan Browne all year??
-KHC GOAT
A: He was pretty good that day, huh? Purdue could go 6-6 with that Ryan Browne. He threw for 297 and 3 TDs and ran for 118 in a 50-49 OT loss.

Q: If you had to bet on Run vs. Pass, do you think you’d go over or under if the line was set at 60% run?
-RRannry1
A: I am gonna say over. I just think Barry Odom wants to be physical, establish the run, punish teams, control the ball and the clock. He has assembled a big offensive line that looks like it could lean on defenses and wear them down. Plus, why not rely on the one prove commodity on offense: Devin Mockobee? I would. Wear him out.

Q: Over/Under: 1,300 yards from scrimmage for Mockobee this year?
-Ceon Foosheys

A: Over. As I mentioned above, I think Mockobee will be the centerpiece of the offense, the fulcrum of what Odom wants to do with a punch-you-in-the-nose offense. He’ll run for close to 1,000 yards and catch for over 300. Mockobee is a nice pass catcher, with 68 career receptions. He had 32 back in 2002.

Q: Who would you say is Purdue’s best pass rusher at this juncture? Anyone you’ll be keeping your eye on when practice activities pick back up?
-Boilerup2389
A: Another good query. My money is on CJ Madden, the Georgia transfer from 2024 who played just three games last year because of injury. I think he is all torqued up and ready to shine. And keep an eye on Michigan transfer Breeon Ismail, a smooth operator off the edge. Is Trey Smith ready to shine? Other portal edge rushers brought in: Breylon Charles (North Texas), Miles Mitchell(Monmouth), CJ Nunnally (Akron), Elijah St. John (Long Island University).

Q: How on earth are you able to keep track of all the portal in and outs?!?!
-Charlespig
A: Two things:

  1. Monster energy drinks
  2. Playing Accept’s album: Balls to the Wall.

Q: How many night games do you see on the schedule this fall? Home and Away
-jhuffer10
A: I am gonna say two: one home (USC) and one road (at Minnesota).





You may also like