Projecting Purdue's 2024 stat leaders

Who will lead Purdue in rushing? Catches? Tackles for loss? How about interceptions?

Some predictions for 2024.

RUSHING YARDS: DEVIN MOCKOBEE 

It’s a safe bet after Mockobee led the team in rushing each of the past two seasons. The former walk-on blossomed into a fan favorite, and he enters 2024 in 18th place on the career rushing list at Purdue. How high could he climb? If Mockobee becomes Purdue’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2008 (Kory Sheets), he would slide into the top five in Boilermaker history. Not bad for the kid from small-town Boonville, Ind.

Projection: 1,001 yards

PASSING YARDS: HUDSON CARD

Card’s debut season in West Lafayette featured ups and downs. He closed on a high note with solid performances against Minnesota and Indiana but dealt with nagging injuries throughout the season. A rotating cast of offensive linemen didn’t help, either, which allowed Card to be sacked 22 times, per Pro Football Focus. An improved group up front and what Purdue hopes can become a more dynamic receiving corps should allow for improvement from Card. Plus, he enters year two in Graham Harrell’s offensive system, providing more familiarity. He threw for 2,387 a season ago. Can he reach the 3,000-yard mark?

Projection: 2,910 yards

CATCHES: JAHMAL EDRINE

The hype is real. Edrine generated buzz a year ago in camp after transferring in from Florida Atlantic, but an injury ended his season before it even started. Now, he’s back and looks the part of a true top-dog outside receiver. He and CJ Smith hope to form a dynamic duo at wideout, but a year of familiarity with the system gives Edrine the edge. Can he help lead this offense to a new level in Harrell’s second year?

Projection: 61 catches

ALL-PURPOSE YARDS: MOCKOBEE

If he reaches the 1,000-yard mark, he could do it on rushing alone. Factor in the passing game, and Mockobee is the easy choice to lead the Boilermakers in all-purpose yards this season. He reeled in 19 passes for 180 yards in 2023, but he could improve without Tyrone Tracy as a fellow pass-game weapon in the backfield. Behind a better offensive line, Mockobee should put together his best season yet this fall.

Projection: 1,301 yards

TOTAL OFFENSE: CARD

Easy enough, right? One question remains to be answered: How much will Purdue let Card run? He ran at times last season, totaling 203 yards and five touchdowns, but he also dealt with nagging injuries. For Purdue to put together the season it hopes to in 2024, it needs Card healthy first and foremost. If he gets more time to operate in the pocket, he may not need to run as often as he did last season.

Projection: 3,150 yards

TACKLES: DILLON THIENEMAN

After leading freshmen nationwide and finishing fifth in the Big Ten with 106 total tackles, Thieneman looks bigger and stronger as a sophomore. Already on the minds of NFL scouts for the 2026 NFL Draft, Thieneman projects to continue to dominate as a sophomore. It wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for Purdue, though, if Thieneman made fewer tackles. That could mean fewer plays are reaching him, given that he plays so deep at safety.

Projection: 88 tackles

SACKS: WILL HELDT

Purdue’s pass rush will undoubtedly look different this fall. Nic Scourton announced his presence to the world with a Big Ten-leading ten sacks, but he transferred to Texas A&M. Kydran Jenkins joined him in forming a dynamic pass rush tandem with 7.5 sacks himself, but he will play the bulk of his snaps at inside ‘backer.

Heldt can reap the benefits of Walters’ unique scheme, which maximizes one-on-one opportunities for pass rushers. With the lion’s share of snaps at one of the rush end spots, the sophomore from Carmel stands to put up big numbers and shine.

Projection: 6.5 sacks

TACKLES FOR LOSS (TFLs): KYDRAN JENKINS

Yes, Jenkins will play the majority of his snaps at the inside linebacker spot, but that doesn’t mean he can’t find his way into the backfield. Eager to prove his pro potential on the inside, expect Jenkins to play a key role in stopping the run. But, on obvious passing downs, he will slide to rush end to go get the passer. After all, we know he can do it. He’s unlikely to come off the field much, which should put him in position to close out his Purdue career on a very high note.

Projection: 11.5 tackles for loss

INTERCEPTIONS: THIENEMAN

Six interceptions placed Thieneman third nationally in picks as a true freshman. He immediately showed an eye for the ball when he looked like Ken Griffey Jr. tracking down a fly ball on an impressive interception vs. Fresno State. He bookended the season nicely, too, picking off a pair of passes to help lead the victory over rival Indiana. Teams will look to keep the ball away from the ball-hawking safety, but it’s difficult to do with how deep he plays. Throw over the top at your own risk.

Projection: Six interceptions

FIELD GOALS: SPENCER PORATH 

No pressure. The true freshman from Brownsburg arrives with sizable expectations as the favorite to win the kicking job. The eighth-ranked kicker in the 2024 class per On3, Porath will get every chance to improve a Purdue special teams unit which struggled mightily in 2023. The Boilermakers converted on just eight of 17 field goal attempts. For Purdue to improve in 2024, the kicking area sticks out like a sore thumb in areas where it needs to take a stride.

Projection: 12 made field goals

PUNTING: KEELAN CRIMMINS

One Australian import replaces another as Crimmins steps in for Jack Ansell, who manned the punting duties for three seasons with mixed results. Crimmins arrives from Mississippi State, where 40 of his 49 punts resulted in a fair catch. While he hopes to continue to limit the returns, Purdue would like him to improve after averaging just over 40 yards per punt as a Bulldog. Similar to the kicking game, Purdue needs improvement here as part of an overall special teams boost.

Projection: 43.5 yards per punt

PUNT RETURNS: THIENEMAN

How’s this for bold? Typically, a player of Thieneman’s caliber wouldn’t dare return a punt. And he won’t do it every time. But we’re calling our shot in a close game, looking for a spark. The Westfield Shamrock will take one all the way to the house, giving Purdue its first punt return touchdown since 2009.

He won’t lead Purdue in total return yards, but what’s a preseason preview without a spicy take?

Projection: One touchdown

KICKOFF RETURNS: CJ SMITH

Does this projection have to do with his prowess in “EA Sports College Football 25?” Maybe. In a wide-open competition to run back kickoffs, Smith’s speed may give him an edge. Kickoff returns get rarer by the year as more kicks result in touchbacks, but opportunities will present themselves. Can Smith translate his speed into handing the offense primo field position?

Projection: 22 yards per return