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GoldandBlack.com mailbag: Assessing impact of portal transfers

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•05/02/25•

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(Krockover Photography)

Let’s answer some of your Purdue football questions as the staff looks to put the finishing touches on what looks like a strong spring portal class. To read the full mailbag, click here.

Q: Do you think the recent portal additions have significantly increased the chances they can be competitive with the middle of the pack or lower B1G teams this year? -bear_down_chicago_89
A: I do. I think the quality of the spring portal additions has been better than what we saw in December/January. I really like the five offensive line additions. Here is what the On3 Georgia writer told me about Marques Easley: “He’s a massive athlete. A lot like (Nitro) Tuggle in that he’s talented but the off the field stuff came out of left field. He should be a Day One starter and be an all-conference-type player at some point.”

Gotta love wideouts Nitro Tuggle and David Washington, who could be difference-makers. And, I am glad QB Ryan Browne is back. How will he continue to develop?

Q: How many calls/texts/DMs have you gotten since the spring portal opened? -BullWhipGriffith
A: My phone has been buzzing more than usual. It is a fun time of the year, seeing how things unfold, who is being recruited, who signs … the team is built before our eyes. It’s exciting.

Q: You hammering the FanDuel over of 3.5? -BoilerN
A: Oh, man. I would take the under. I am bit more optimistic with some of these spring portal additions. Still, I wanna see it to believe it. And the schedule is unforgiving for a second season in a row.

Q: Which incoming transfer from the last week do you think will have the biggest impact next season? -JTBoiler11
A: Tuggle is the obvious choice just because of his skill-set/talent and the yawning needs for help at wideout. I also think LB Sanders Ellis could be impactful at another position that’s desperate to an upgrade.

Q: How do you see touches at running back shaking out next year? Do you see all four of Devin Mockobee, Malachi Thomas, Jaheim Merriweather, and Antonio Harris playing? -SactusGrow
A: No doubt, Mockobee will be the alpha, getting what I would guess 60 percent of the carries with Thomas getting the bulk of the rest. The others probably will just be spotted in.

MORE: Spring portal additions | Spring portal departures | 2026 Purdue commitments | 2025 Roster distribution











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