Barry Odom: Thursday 'by far our best day' leading into scrimmage

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue is officially a week into its fall camp slate, with six practices down. The first day in full pads and an elongated practice in West Lafayette yielded positive results for Barry Odom and company. Some that even brought a smile to the Boilermaker head coach’s face.

“Looking top to bottom, really all three phases, we got better today, which is fun to see. It was a test and through six days, we’ve gotten better every single day. Today was by far our best day,” Odom said.

There was some added juice on Thursday morning, as pads began popping for the first time this fall, which is music to the ears of football fans everywhere.

Purdue has had six opportunities to mold its team, since welcoming 83 newcomers out of the 120 on the active roster, this fall. The two things Barry Odom is most pleased with through the first week are somewhat elementary, but loom as key components in the construction of this team.

“I think defensively, I would say communication. We’re starting to get where you need to be. And we weren’t even close in spring practice. So, I think that’s guys understanding, really understanding it with conviction, and not just ‘I think I’m supposed to say this.’ Our coaches did a really good job in that regard. And then offensively, I would say the ability of quarterbacks and receivers and tight ends and runners just to be able to play catch. So we got a long ways to go in every area, but those two stick out to me. I think we’re making really good progress, and I think both sides understand how important both of those components are,” Odom said.

Getting onto the practice field and molding his team is something Odom takes pride in, as this hard work throughout August will shape what this iteration of Purdue football will look like throughout the fall.

“I love building a team and preparing them so they can go showcase really what they have their skills, put them in position to go play free and play fast and play confident. I love this part of the year,” Odom said.

The competition aspect of camp, which has been a common theme throughout Odom’s brief tenure in West Lafayette, has brought out the best in the Boilermakers thus far. Many spots are still up for grabs and battles at each position in one form or another are making for a competitive and lively fall camp in West Lafayette.

“At every single position, there’s great competition, which is healthy for, in my opinion, for everybody. There’s not anybody that is comfortable and set in their spot, and that’ll make us better football team,” Odom said.

The most notable competition comes at the quarterback position. As Ryan Browne, Malachi Singleton, Bennett Meredith and Evans Chuba jockey for the coveted QB1 title, offensive coordinator Josh Henson divulged that there was separation happening earlier this week. Odom shared that the Boilermakers were still not ready to name a starter at the moment, however.

“It’s every day. We’re just kind of adding it to the body of work, and it would be unfair for any of them right now to say you’re a one, you’re two, you’re three, you’re four or five, because they haven’t even scrimmaged yet. So it’s not fair that to the process of what that needs to look like. And then certainly for a team, we’re rotating so many guys out, receivers, tight ends, running backs, playing with all different guys, we’re just trying to get reps right now. So, long answer, but we’re not ready yet,” Odom said.

Could clarity come on the heels of Saturday’s scrimmage? Perhaps. The start of next week could be telling in the four-man race, which is expected to be narrowed down to Browne and Singleton when things are said and done. The scrimmage could vault one signal caller to the top of the depth chart, but Odom is eyeing more progress from Saturday, as well.

“Offensively, want to take care of the ball. Want to be able to move the ball, execute on third downs, score points. Play with mental strain, extra effort, toughness, competitiveness. Defensively, align the sign on snap, footwork, eye discipline, communication, pursuit to the ball, tight in coverage, good on our blitz tracks, be great tacklers and be great in third downs. Special Teams, need to have great get off the protection and punt. Extra point, field goal, need to be 100% on snap, hold, protection, kick,” Odom said.

As a staff, they will treat Saturday like a real game, with helmet communication, putting some coaches in the box, while others stay on the field, and work out the logistics of what August 30th against Ball State will look like on that front. Defensive coordinator Mike Scherer will be on the field on game days, while Odom disclosed that they are still figuring out where the offensive staff, particularly Josh Henson, will be during games.

“How important that is to now, 21 days out on Saturday. We got to get, start to get, for at least our staff, getting in game mode,” Odom said.

Purdue is starting to ramp up its preparations for the end of August, and Saturday could provide clarity on several different fronts, as Odom and company look to continue making strides during fall camp.

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