Old National Presents: The 3-2-1 of Purdue football

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

Three things learned

1 – Portal shopping

We know Purdue is in the market for players at just about every position as the roster overhaul continues under a new regime. North Alabama CB Ashaad Williams announced on social media last week that Purdue is among his top four. And the 6-2, 180-pound Williams told GoldandBlack.com he expects to visit.

“I plan on it,” Williams said.

Purdue also is after 6-2, 225-pound Tennessee State LB Sanders Ellis, who has been in conversation with Purdue DC Mike Scherer from what we hear.

Also: A kicker from Valparaiso visited recently, too.

Bottom line: It would not be a surprise to see the Boilermaker staff add as many as 20 players in the 10-day portal window from April 16-25.

2 – Five spring practices in the book

Hard to glean too much from the early goings-on, as the staff spent a lot of time installing schemes/systems before taking off this week for spring break. But one thing apparent has been the quick pace of practices. No wasted time and lots instruction and chatter.

Purdue will be back in action on March 25 to the run-up to the spring game on April 12. In all, 10 spring sessions remain when the squad returns.

3 – NFL hopes percolate

Things are heating up for some of Purdue’s top NFL draft hopefuls.

Gus Hartwig has had Zooms with the Lions and Cardinals, worked out for the Bills and is set to visit the Chiefs in April. Marcus Mbow has taken visits to the Giants and Eagles, while also working out for the Bills. Hudson Card has had dinner with the Cowboys and met via Zoom with the Broncos and Commanders.

Two questions

1 – How is health of team?

Not bad, as only three players who figure to play key roles in 2025 have been out: DL Mo Omonode; S Tahj Ra-El; RB Malachi Thomas. Barry Odom discussed all three recently:

-Omonode: “He had a back procedure and is turning in the right direction. It was something we inherited when we got here. And so he’s moving a little closer to being back out here and doing some moving around outside. So, we’re getting closer.”

-Tahj Ra-El: “Tahj went through really most of winter conditioning. Had an injury to his foot and is in a boot. But he’s getting close. I think once we get back (from spring break), he’ll be out there.”

-Thomas: “Malachi had an injury in the bowl game at his previous school (Virginia Tech), and we had to get it fixed when he got here. So, I think both of those guys (Ra-El and Thomas) after spring break could be in action to some extent.”

2 – How is quarterback shaping up?

It is still early, but it looks like QBs EJ Colson and Evans Chuba may have created a bit of separation from Malachi Singleton and Bennett Meredith in the first two weeks of spring drills.

But this is a battle that’s a long way from being finished. Stay tuned. It would not be a shock if the staff plays multiple quarterbacks early on in the 2025 season. What exactly does Purdue have at the position? It is a giant mystery.

Another X-factor: Will any of the current signal-callers exit via the spring portal? And will Purdue shop for another quarterback in the April portal window?

One bold statement: Money matters

Well, of course it does! And a few money matters caught my eye this week.

First, it was crazy to see news that Nebraska will pay its general manager Pat Stewart $800,000. For comparison, Purdue pays GM Brandon Lee $200,000.

And there was this item in The New Orleans Times-Picayune on LSU’s lack of NIL. The Tigers have spent only a combined $13 million over the first three years of NIL. Alabama reportedly has had similar NIL issues. Compare that to the $20 million Ohio State is believed to have spent in NIL just on its 2024 roster.

No doubt, many teams have had NIL issues. And you wonder how many will be able to pony up to the hilt in the impending rev share era. This year, the rev share ceiling is $20.5 million or so. The chasm between the haves and have-nots will continue to grow.