Walters’s message to commitments

It began with 2025 WR Lebron Hill, and 2026 QB Oscar Rios quickly followed. The latest was 2025 CB Dawayne Galloway. All three Purdue verbal pledges decommitted from Purdue within the last week or so.

Who knows? More could be on the way. It’s a product of a Boilermaker program that’s in the midst of what’s shaping up to be a disastrous season.

Purdue (1-4 overall; 0-2 Big Ten) is in the midst of a four-game losing streak with seemingly no end in sight. Five of the Boilermakers’ seven remaining opponents are ranked in the AP Top 25: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Penn State, No. 18 Indiana, No. 23 Illinois, which is this Saturday’s foe (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1).

How bad has it been? The Boilermakers have lost their last four by an average of 35 points. That can’t inspire the high school players who have committed to Ryan Walters, who is 5-12 at Purdue.

What is Walters’ message to his commits in the class of 2025, which numbers 12 commitments?

“Just watch the season,” said Walters. “See how it unfolds. They’re committed here for a reason. They love this university, they love this place. They have gotten to know and have belief in the coaches that are recruiting them.

“So, that’s what I would say. Just seven games left. Let’s see how this deal plays out.”

Per On3.com, Galloway was Purdue’s highest rated 2025 commit. That honor now belongs to ILB Grant Beerman followed by TE Brian Kortovich and OL Takhyian Whitset.

“A lot of people are going to tell you Indiana is a basketball state, but there’s also really good football being played here,” said play-caller Jason Simmons, who coached for 23 years in the Indiana high school ranks. “When you can recruit the best players in the state of Indiana consistently, you’re going to have an opportunity to have guys on your team who take a great deal of pride putting that Purdue jersey on week in, week out. 

“We’re going to continue to pound the pavement in the state of Indiana from a recruiting standpoint. We’ve just got to continue to gain some momentum here.” 

MORE: First and 10| First look: Illinois | Three thoughts | Purdue’s Ryan Walters on if season can be fixed: ‘I don’t see any reason why it can’t’ | The 3-2-1: Purdue searching for answers. Will it find any to save season?

Recruits can begin signing letters-of-intent on December 4. What will be the staff situation in West Lafayette on that date? Until then, Purdue defensive coordinator Kevin Kane is pressing forward.

“Just trust the process of what we’re doing here,” said Kane when asked what his message is to the Boilermaker commitments. “The track record of coach Walters and myself and what we’re able to do, I think, speaks for itself. We’ve been able to win a lot of football games and play a lot of good defense along the way. 

“This is a hitch in the road right now, but stick with the plan, the progress that we’re going to continue to make. Obviously, we build relationships with these guys and the families just trust in what we are doing here. We’re going to continue to build this thing up.” 

Something else to be mindful of: The college football transfer portal opens at the end of the regular season, the day after the College Football Playoff field and bowl games are announced. According to the NCAA, the portal will open Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, and close Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Purdue signed 24 prep players in 2024. What could that number be in 2025?

“There is lot predicated on sort of the roster numbers, the revenue sharing, and evaluating our roster and deciding on how many high school guys we take, how many guys we get in the portal, the whole nine,” said Walters.

For now, the Purdue staff has to focus on winning games and not get lost in future-tripping. Walters and Co., know victories down the stretch will cure what ails the program.

“I think it’s hugely significant,” said Walters of the need to get things on track and start winning. “You know, as a recruit you want to see progress, improvement. You want to see wins, right? I think everybody we are recruiting is of the mindset that I am. I hate losing. I hate it with a passion. Drives me crazy.

“And so we got to win ball games.”