Old National Presents: 3-2-1

Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s time for the 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.

Three things learned

1 – Freshman starters!

Purdue unveiled its depth chart for the Indiana State game on Monday. And it had two true freshmen on the first-team: CB Tarrion Grant and WR Shamar Rigby.

A five-star recruit from Tennessee who re-classified to the Class of 2024 and arrived in May, Grant is a precocious 6-3 talent that has lived up to the hype thus far, a unique blend of youth, talent and work ethic. Rigby was a three-star talent from Florida who like Grant didn’t arrive until May. Yet, he has impressed in camp with his rangy frame, work ethic and attention to detail.

Each is in the lineup because of injury to a Georgia transfer, with CB Nyland Green (green) and WR CJ Smith (hamstring) both out vs. Indiana State. It makes you wonder: How good could Grant and Rigby end up being?

Grant and Rigby are two of eight true freshmen on the initial Purdue depth chart:

Tarrion Grant 1st team
Shamar Rigby 1st
Jaden Ball 2nd
Demeco Kennedy 2nd
Koy Beasley 2nd
Spencer Porath 2nd
Jaheim Merriweather 3rd
Marcos Davila 3rd

2 – Programs! Get your programs!

Too bad they don’t sell programs anymore (do they?), because this would be the perfect season to purchase one.

Of the 85 scholarship players on the 2024 rosters, Ryan Walters has brought in 67 of them since taking over in December 2022. That calculates to a whooping 80 percent of the roster being flipped. Only 18 remain who were signed or committed to Jeff Brohm.

And check this out: 36 percent (30 of 85) of the roster is comprised of players from the transfer portal. Welcome to college football 2024.

3 – Saturday is about more than winning

It goes without saying that Purdue is supposed to topple an Indiana State club that won one game last year. Heck, oddsmakers have installed the Boilermakers as a 32.5-point favorite.

Yes, Purdue should win … but it needs to win convincingly like it did vs. ISU in 2022: 56-0. Walters’ crew needs to dominate what looks like a listless Sycamore program, it needs to make a statement in all three phrases of the game.

Purdue can’t win, 20-14, like Darrell Hazell did in the second game of a 2013 season in what would be the lone triumph in a dreary 1-11 campaign.

Two questions

1 – What’s on the line in 2024?

Walters is coming off a 4-8 debut. It was a bumpy transition for a first-year coach looking to put his stamp on a program that needed a roster overhaul (see below). The honeymoon? There’s still a spark among the fan base. But, that spark of amour could dim with another losing season.

Few outside the program expected Purdue to reach a bowl last year. And even fewer do this season, given the challenges of the schedule and roster tumult. Still, there is a path to bowl eligibility. But, even if the postseason is not reached, it’s important for Walters to win the games he’s favored in and to be competitive in the others–especially vs. peer programs. Compete! Look prepared!

How Walters measures up vs. the elite programs will go a long way to shaping public option. Can Purdue stay on the field, battle, challenge … perhaps pull an upset vs. a squad like Notre Dame, Oregon, Ohio State or Penn State?

Yes, wins matter. But–win or lose–fans have to at least know there is hope/belief that Walters is the right guy for the job.

2 – Second season success?

The second season for Purdue coaches has been a mixed bag of good and bad … mostly bad. How will Walters’ second trip around the college football sun turn out?

Only three of the previous Purdue head coaches took the Boilermakers to a bowl in their second season. And just two finished with winning records. The last? Joe Tiller in 1998, the first year some sophomore named Drew Brees started.

Second seasons for last 10 Purdue coaches

Coach	Year: Second season result
Jeff Brohm	2018: 6-7, lost Music City Bowl
Darrell Hazell	2014: 3-9
Danny Hope	2010: 4-8
Joe Tiller	1998: 9-4, won Alamo Bowl
Jim Colletto	1992: 4-7
Fred Akers	1988: 4-7
Leon Burtnett	1983: 3-7-1
Jim Young	1978: 9-2-1, won Peach Bowl
Alex Agase	1974: 4-6-1
Bob DeMoss	1971: 3-7

One bold statement: Purdue will remain unbeaten vs. FCS foes

Indiana State will be next. Yes, it’s not a very bold statement. Still, it’s a nice run for Purdue. From 2006-16, the Boilermakers played a FCS opponent each season except 2009.

While many schools have been pantsed by a FCS squad, Purdue can hold its head up high!