Old National Presents: The 3-2-1—Portal Engine Revving

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

Three things learned

1 – Portal popping

Spring is here. Trees are blooming … and the roster is changing before our eyes.

To wit: Since the portal opened last Wednesday, Purdue has seen 20 players jump in the portal. And it has landed commitments from eight players from the portal.

(Deep breath)

Brace yourself: Barry Odom and Co., are just starting to rev their portal engine. Don’t be surprised if Purdue brings in well over 20 players from the portal in the April window. This, after importing 29 in the December portal window.

Long story short: Purdue could have close to 60 players–on a 105-man roster–from the portal on its 2025 roster.

Welcome to modern day college football.

2 – Hello, Ryan Browne!

It is thought there was debate in the Kozuch Football Performance if Purdue should fish out a quarterback from the portal.

We got our answer late last week when Ryan Browne announced he was returning to Purdue. He hit the portal Dec. 3, departing West Lafayette and landing at North Carolina Dec. 19. He was back with the Boilermakers by April 18.

Crazy world we live in.

Malachi Singleton, Evans Chuba, EJ Colson and Bennett Meredith waged battled all spring … but there was no clarity as to who was the No. 1 man. Meredith had the best spring, while Singleton enjoyed his moments. Chuba has the best upside but is careless. Colson struggled and quickly jumped in the portal.

Now, Browne is back.

This presumably is an open competition. But I have to think Browne is a favorite to be the No. 1 man when the Boilermakers kick off Aug. 30 vs. Ball State.

“It’s competition, no matter what,” Browne told GoldandBlack.com on Saturday as he left campus for Chapel Hill. “But I think I’m in a good spot.”

3 – Big week looms

Purdue has visits on tap for eight portal targets this week. And more visitors are expected to be lined up, making this a big week for the staff as far as talent procurement goes. (Two other targets visited Saturday, and one committed.)

Among the visitors are two offensive linemen (another was slated to come but committed to Virginia this weekend). The o-line will get a lot of needed attention in the portal. The staff has already landed two portal o-linemen: Auburn’s Bradyn Joiner and  Tulane’s Jude McCoskey.

Joiner may be the most impressive of the early wave of portal acquisitions for Purdue. He’s a 6-2, 334-pound road-grader who was SEC All-Freshman last year. Look for him to secure a starting guard spot for an offense–and head coach–that wants to be physical.

MORE: Ryan Browne: ‘I feel like Purdue has always been home’ | Purdue gearing up for big portal week with SEC OL duo visiting

Two questions

1 – Did Purdue lose any key players to the portal?

Not really. But it did sting a bit to see NT Mo Omonode and LS Nick Levy leave. Levy already has landed at Wisconsin.

The Purdue staff got a good look at the roster during 15 spring practices, assessed weaknesses and needs … and has subsequently taken the corrective steps to bolster the roster.

2 – Will Purdue make portal additions at every position?

I expect the staff to bring in players at every position but one: running back.

It is thought the coaches are content with the running back room. Could it have more talent? Yes. But the unit led by coach Lamar Conard and paced by Devin Mockobee is more than adequate. There are many other areas on the roster that need attention.

Purdue already has added portal players at linebacker, on the o-line, at d-line, quarterback, defensive back and receiver.

MORE: Spring portal additions | Spring portal departures

One bold statement: No other QBs will transfer

Some harbored a fear that if Purdue brought in a portal quarterback, as many as two would leave.

Well, the reality of a portal signal-caller arriving has unfolded. But only one of the spring quarterbacks has departed: Colson.

Just a guess, but I believe the other three–Singleton, Chuba and Meredith–will remain and fight for the job.

It will be interesting to see how the QB room sorts out.