With O'Connell, Jones and Durham opting out of Citrus Bowl, it's next man up for Purdue

Next man up.

That’s the mentality for Purdue as it wades into its first few practices in preparation to play LSU in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2 in Orlando. Interim head coach Brian Brohm has no other choice after a series of anticipated opt-outs became public on Thursday.

What had been rumored for days became reality this morning, when quarterback Aidan O’Connell and tight end Payne Durham announced they were opting out of the bowl game. Brohm said wideout Charlie Jones also has opted out.

“He was really the first one to come up to me and decide that he wasn’t going to play,” said Brohm after practice on Thursday. “So, we thanked him for coming and having such a big impact with just really one semester here.

“But, again, that provides opportunity for some other receivers to step up. You can almost see a little bounce in some of the other receivers step these last couple of days knowing that they might see a few more footballs. So, good energy at practice, for sure.”

Last week, GoldandBlack.com reported that cornerback Cory Trice had signed with an agent and had left the team.

Brohm says O’Connell informed him of opting out on Wednesday.

“He struggled with the decision for a while,” said Brohm. “He told me yesterday that he was not going to play in the bowl game and start getting ready for the next chapter. So, obviously, we thank him for everything he’s done for the program. What a wonderful career. Great young man. I wish him all the best in his future.”

O’Connell is No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing (290.8 ypg), hitting 64 percent of his attempts for 3,490 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Durham also dropped his news on Brohm on Wednesday. Durham has 56 catches for 560 yards and eight TDs.

“Payne, as well, told me yesterday that he was gonna opt out,” said Brohm. “Another guy that’s had a great career here. Done a lot of good things. We wish him well in his future and his preparations for the NFL.”

Now what for Purdue (8-5 overall; 6-4 Big Ten)?

With O’Connell out, Brohm said sixth-year senior Austin Burton will get the start vs. LSU (9-4 overall, 6-3 SEC), which won the SEC West.

“Austin Burton will be the guy that we will start at quarterback and he’s excited for the opportunity,” said Brohm. “He’s a sixth-year senior. Been around a lot of football, had two starts in his career, so far. He’s chomping at the bit to get out there and lead these guys.”

Burton has been at Purdue the last three seasons after transferring from UCLA, where he started one game (2019) in three seasons. He has started a game at Purdue, leading the Boilermakers past Florida Atlantic in 2022 after hitting 21-of-29 passes for 166 yards with three TDs and an interception in a 28-26 win. He has played in 12 games for the Boilermakers, completing 29-of-39 passes for 243 yards with three TDs and an interception. Burton has rushed 26 times for 80 yards.

Brohm also thinks Michael Alaimo will get some snaps vs. LSU.

“I anticipate trying to get Mike in the game in some form or fashion,” said Brohm. “He’s done a good job preparing and getting ready. He’ll be the backup (to Burton).”

With Durham checked out, former quarterback Paul Piferi finds himself atop the depth chart.

“We’ll have Paul Piferi stepping in at that number one tight end (spot),”said Brohm. “Drew Biber is chomping at the bit to get in there and show what he can do. It provides opportunities for other guys to show up and show everybody what the got.”

There is no shortage of options at receiver with the loss of Jones, who will play in the Senior Bowl. But none of the remaining widouts have the playmaking ability of Jones, who earned All-America mention in 2022. Jones leads the Big Ten in catches (110), receiving yards (1,361) and TD catches (12).

“I think we got a good group of wideouts,” said Brohm “TJ Sheffield is going to have a major impact. Andrew Sowinski is gonna have a big impact. Mershawn Rice. Abdur (Rahmaan) Yaseen, Tyrone Tracy, Deion Burks. Those are guys that have played this year that have gotten reps, gotten snaps.”

This also is a good chance for Brohm, who takes over after older brother Jeff left to take the Louisville job last week.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Brohm. “To have the ability to step into the head coach seat, the head coach shoes. To have that experience, this experience that I’m having, I think is very beneficial for me and my future.”