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

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 – Signing Day was uneventful

Barry Odom and his new staff cobbled together a group of 11 high school players who signed on Wednesday. Five of those prep players were recruits who flipped from UNLV. In all, Purdue officially welcomed 40 players on Wednesday, with 29 of those coming via the portal. And 35 of the signees are enrolled.

Analyst weren’t impressed by the Boilermakers group of 11 high school signees. On3 ranked Purdue’s class last in the Big Ten and 90th in the nation. No Power Four school ranks lower.

Purdue’s ranking is hurt by the fact it signed only 11 freshmen. Iowa (16), Michigan State (18) and UCLA (19) were the only other Big Ten schools to ink fewer than 20 high school recruits.

So, take that for what it’s all worth.

2 – Help still needed

Odom said during Signing Day and at his radio show on Thursday that Purdue would be active during the second portal window, which runs for 10 days from April 16-26.

The needs? Purdue seeks offensive linemen and defensive backs, and will look to add some walk-ons this winter to help it through spring drills. The squad also needs help at kicker.

It would not be a surprise to see upwards of 10 portal additions … and 10 portal defections this spring.

3 – Purdue lands first 2026 commit

The staff wasted little time beginning to assemble its 2026 class when massive OL Rico Schrieber verbally committed last Wednesday. A product of Marist High in Chicago, Schrieber visited Purdue the week before. His hasty pledge was a mild surprise.

The 6-7, 345-pound Schrieber chose Purdue over an offer list that included Miami (Fla.), Florida, Nebraska, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Indiana, among others.

“I just loved how the coaching staff really made me feel at home,” Schrieber said.

Schrieber has been described as “has upside. Massive as can be.”

Two questions

1 – How much 2025 talent walked away?

As the 2024 season careened into the ditch and Ryan Walters eventually got fired, Purdue saw its 2025 recruiting class fall apart. Among the defections were some promising prospects that landed at good schools: LB Grant Beerman (Illinois), OL Ta’Khyian Whitset (N.C. State), DB Dawayne Galloway (West Virginia), TE Brian Kortovich (Penn State), DT Drayden Pavey (Wisconsin), WR Lebron Hill (Vanderbilt), OL Cameron Gorin (Louisville) and OL Kuol Kuol (Iowa State).

It will be interesting to track these guys in the future.

2 – How good is Purdue’s portal class?

Odom and Co., worked overtime assembling a portal haul that included 29 players, all of whom are on campus and ready for the start of spring drills on March 4. Alas, On3 ranked the Boilermakers’ portal haul last in the Big Ten and No. 69 in the nation.

Three of those players are quarterbacks: Malachi Singleton (Arkansas), EJ Colson (UCF) and Evans Chuba (Washington State). The trio has a combined one college start (Colson). Chuba hasn’t taken a snap in a game the last two years.

“There’s a couple people that aren’t allowed to have a bad day,” Odom said. “The head coach can’t have a bad day. The starting quarterback can’t have a bad day. … “

Who will win the job? It’s a battle that figures to march into training camp in August.

One bold statement: Don’t heed the rankings

Yes, Odom’s recruiting class (high school and portal) ranks last in the Big Ten. Truth be told: rankings outside the top 4-5 schools is pure folly.

I always recall Joe Tiller’s first signing class back in 1997 was rated very low. That class included the likes of Drew Brees, Vinny Sutherland and Tim Stratton, three players who would become foundational parts of a golden era of Boilermaker football that culminated with a Rose Bowl bid in the 2000 season.

So, keep that in mind.