In pursuit of Hudson Card: An inside look at Ryan Walters' quest for the QB he had to have

Newly-hired Purdue coach Ryan Walters needs a quarterback. And his pursuit of someone to lead his program begins before he even is introduced as head coach in December.

Take an inside look into the six pivotal days in December in the recruitment and pursuit of Hudson Card, the Texas transfer portal quarterback Walters just has to have … and eventually gets.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13

Ryan Walters huddles with Nate Dennison in a hotel room in the Purdue Memorial Union.

Walters is freshly hired as the new Boilermaker coach. He hasn’t even had his introductory press conference. That will come tomorrow. Right now, Walters is quizzing Dennison, the program’s director of scouting, about the roster he’s inheriting and the 2023 recruits who have committed.

What’s Walters have to work with? Specifically: What’s the quarterback situation? More on that later.

The new Purdue boss wants to hit the ground running on Wednesday. There’s no time to waste. The first signing date looms.

Dennison quickly crafts a plan for the next 48 hours.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14

Walters handles the press conference with charm and aplomb. He’s a natural on stage, comfortable in his own skin and engaging. If people didn’t know it before, they do now: Walters is smooth.

Introductions are made, questions are asked and hands are shaken. Nightfall descends on West Lafayette. It’s time to go. Walters ditches his coat and tie and hops in a car with Dennison. The destination: Indianapolis. Walters wants to spend Thursday schmoozing in the biggest city in the state he now coaches in.

As Dennison and Walters barrel down I-65, Walters leans over and asks: “So, we don’t have a QB with any experience coming back?”

Dennison nods.

Walters shoots back: “So, we need to get a transfer QB?”

Dennison nods.

Dennison knows the situation. He was on the recruiting staff during the Jeff Brohm era. The Purdue quarterback depth chart is occupied by a redshirt freshman, a true freshman and walk-ons. That’s it.

Dennison already has been doing his due diligence, scouting the portal quarterbacks the previous two weeks before Walters is hired. Dennison has a wish list ready for his new boss.

As Dennison drives, Walters sits silent for a few minutes. He turns and says: “What do you think of Hudson Card?”

Dennison shoots back: “Coach, he’s at the top of my list.”

Walters sits quiet for the next few minutes, staring through the windshield at barren corn fields. He breaks the silence: “I think we can get him.”

“Hell, yeah!” says Dennison.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

Walters springs into action, working to finalize a deal over the next 24 hours to hire West Virginia offensive coordinator Graham Harrell for the same role at Purdue while also recruiting Indianapolis.

Walters hatches a plan to use the Purdue jet to pick up Harrell on Friday in Dallas, where he’s recruiting for the Mountaineers, and then fly to Austin with Harrell to meet with Hudson Card later that day.

It’s ambitious.

Walters talks to Harrell on the phone. He’s spoken to WVU head coach Neal Brown and Harrell’s agent. Harrell is in. He signs the paper to be Purdue’s offensive coordinator. Let’s go!

Walters tells Harrell to stop what he’s doing in Texas for WVU. Walters is coming to Dallas to pick him up tomorrow. Before hanging up, Walters asks Harrell what his shirt size is so he can grab some Purdue gear from the equipment room for Harrell to wear for the visit to the Cards.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16

Walters, Harrell and Harrell’s freshly minted shirts roll into Austin to meet Card and his parents, Doug and Cindy. Evening has fallen on tony Lake Travis and its manicured lawns.

The sales pitch is on. Can Walters land the prized portal quarterback he wants, the signal-caller to lead his first Boilermaker squad?

“How are you doing, Hudson?” says Walters, extending his right hand.

Back in West Lafayette, Dennison is busy. Very busy. He’s up well past midnight booking hotel and restaurant reservations for the Cards after Walters confirms the family is coming to visit.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

Dennison and Walters are driving again. This time, the tandem is pointed west on I-74, racing toward Champaign, Ill., where Walters was working as Illinois defensive coordinator before Purdue hired him. Day break is cracking in the rear-view mirror.

Walters wants to pick up his Mercedes at his house in the area. He also wants to pick up Hudson Card and his family, who are in Champaign visiting with Bret Bielema and the Fighting Illini staff. Illinois is in the market for a signal-caller and wants the Longhorn quarterback, too. Talk about perfect timing for Walters.

Walters pulls up to the Illinois football complex, the Cards hop in the slick, black Mercedes. Walters pulls away with his prize in tow. The Illinois coaches wave good-bye and shake their heads. They can’t feel good about this.

Did that just happen?

That’s the last time Illinois will see Card. Walters escorts the Cards back to Purdue and continues his pitch.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

The full-court sales press is on. Walters’ easy-going style puts Card at ease. There is an instant connection. Plus, Card likes the offense that will be run by Harrell, talking “ball” with the fellow Texan he has known for several years.

Card tours the facilities, has breakfast with deputy AD Tiffini Grimes and dinner with AD Mike Bobinski and others.

Card prays about it. He had entered the portal December 5th. Now, he’s ready to find a home after being wooed by the likes of Notre Dame, Auburn, Oregon, Oregon State … a who’s who of college big brands.

Purdue just feels right. He knows this is where he wants to be. Soon after returning to Austin, Card calls Walters: He wants to be a Boilermaker.

The news breaks December 26: Hudson Card is coming to Purdue.

Walters got his man.