Purdue Recruiting News and Notes

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PURDUE BASKETBALL RECRUITING

After an atypical 2025 recruiting cycle that saw Purdue go all the way into the fall without a commitment, the 2026 cycle could be very different, more in line with its history of getting its guys and getting them.

Trey Thompson accelerated his decision timeframe just as he made his official visit to Purdue. There’s only one way to look at that. Purdue has to be viewed as being on the fast track to landing him.

He would in-state guard Luke Ertel as two commitments for ’26, two offensively skilled and high-effort substance types you always want in your program, the sorts that Purdue has built around.

For as offensively skilled as Thompson is, it was his effort and energy that really stood out when we saw him play this summer. Some modest pre-injury Mason Gillis vibes there.

Let’s say those two fall into place, there’s still Steven Reynolds III who Purdue has real advantages with given that two of his sisters will be in school here his freshman year. He’s always downplayed that as a decision-maker, but has also done so going out of his way to not make it sound like anything that could be misconstrued as anything negative about Purdue.

Getting him back for the Alabama game was a best-case deal.

“I’ve been there quite a few times obviously,” Reynolds said (quote edited from text message). “But it went good, the atmosphere was electric and obviously a great win vs the No. 2 team in the country. It was a great environment and good seeing the coaching staff once again too.”

Reynolds has no plan at this time for a decision, but has made a good deal of visits already, so he’s not just now jumping into this. He’s been to Michigan State and Notre Dame and Michigan and Ohio State already. He’s talking to Marquette, Alabama, Oklahoma, Cincinnati and others, too, but the Big Ten and ND loom largest here, Purdue maybe more than anyone.

Getting Reynolds would be a big deal, as he sort of transcends position and is more of a pure scorer who can play 1, 2 or 3.

Then Purdue needs another big.

Jamyn Sondrup has already visited and would be a priority. No reason to think anything is imminent there, but Purdue could put a ton of time into him and wait him out if there are birds already in hand.

Then maybe another guard. Purdue hosted Junior County for an official visit and will keep working on Tay Kinney, with more targets likely to emerge in time, too.

But a number of early commits would also bring into play the numbers game early, and that then would bring into play an existential question: Is Matt Painter going to recruit to 15-man roster limits now or stick with 13? Don’t know yet, but do know him well enough to know he’s not somebody who’s going to necessarily want 15 guys on his team who were recruited expecting to be rotation guys, if that makes sense. (BN)

PURDUE FOOTBALL

• When will a decision be made on Ryan Walters‘ future? Purdue AD Mike Bobinski can’t and won’t confirm anything at this point. We asked. It is thought his interest is in giving the team a chance to win the next two weeks without adding to the degree of difficulty through speculation.

So, don’t anticipate a decision until after the Indiana game on Nov. 30. The clock ticks: Early signing for high school players starts Dec. 4. The transfer portal is open from Dec. 9-28.

As we have mentioned: The signs point to Walters returning for a third season with new coordinators, who would help shape the rest of the staff. A senior advisor also would be added. But, the possibility of Walters being fired also is real.

Reasons not to part ways: Paying a $9-plus-million buyout with a looming $20-plus million revenue sharing bill. And would Bobinski want to hire a head coach and then subsequently retire after 2025-26, as many suspect is his plan? Should the next AD hire the next coach?

• Have been told Purdue is reaching out to prospective offensive coordinators. Mike Yurcich has been confirmed. He has been OC at Penn State, Texas and Oklahoma State. It would not be surprises if former Florida Atlantic coach Tom Herman, who shares an agent–Trace Armstrong–with Walters, also is looked at. Another possibility: ex-Southern Miss coach Will Hall.

• Fun note: Am told OT Bakyne Coly has been getting reps on the D-line in practices for several weeks. He’s a 6-7, 280 athlete the staff likes a lot.

PURDUE FOOTBALL RECRUITING

• Purdue seems pleased with how things are developing with 2026 Tennessee RB Jayzon Thompson, who reportedly had a great time on a recent trip and was talking about potentially committing.

• Caught up with 2027 QB Oscar Frye of Brownsburg (Ind.) High who was at Purdue for the Penn State game. The 6-2, 175-pound Frye has offers from Miami (Ohio) and Toledo. He shares his thoughts on Purdue and more.

• 2025 LB commitment Kimar Nelson has picked up an offer from North Carolina State.

• 2025 OL pledge Kuol Kuol tells us he’s still committed despite taking an OV to Iowa State last weekend.

• 2025 QB commit Sawyer Anderson has had numerous schools reach out, seeking an OV. But Anderson has rebuffed all overtures.

• 2025 RB commit Jaron Thomas recently earned a fourth star from On3. I think this guy could be a good LB at Purdue.

blessed to receive my 4th star!! pic.twitter.com/C4UYhYcqMX

— Jaron Thomas ⁸ (@JaronThomas00) November 19, 2024

• Purdue thought it had a good shot to get a commitment from Michigan 2025 OL Danilo Guberinich. But he pledged to Texas Tech today.

PURDUE BASKETBALL

• FWIW, we would expect a starting lineup change for the Marshall game. Caleb Furst did start the second half at Marquette at center and has done some good things. That would be our guess for a move, but it’s also possible that Purdue just jumps straight to Trey Kaufman-Renn at the 5 and Camden Heide at the 4, then mixing in other big guys thereafter. (BN)