The 3-2-1: Purdue and the transfer portal
Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s time for the 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.
Three things learned
1 – Purdue probably finished adding portal players
The staff added rush end Trey Smith from the portal last week, the 19th addition (including walk-ons) from the portal this offseason. Purdue has accounted for 84 or 85 scholarships, by our count.
The staff would like to add a defensive lineman, but the pickings appear to be slim. And what’s there is pricey. So, Purdue could just sit on the last scholarship and give it to a walk-on in camp.
2 – Rush end Trey Smith looks like cut above
Purdue needed depth at rush end. And, it appears to have added a good one in Smith. He was a player Illinois didn’t want to lose.
Smith played a bit as a true freshman in 2023, bringing four years of eligibility to West Lafayette. He has talent, but has to continue to develop and grow. He could carve out a rotational role and see snaps in 2023. It’s hoped he’ll develop into a starter in a year or two.
Smith is the second former Illini player to transfer to West Lafayette this offseason, joining RB Reggie Love. Smith also is the fourth portal rush end Purdue has added since the end of 2023: Georgia’s C.J. Madden, Boston College’s Shitta Sillah and Franklin College’s Jireh Ojata came aboard this winter and went through spring drills. The anchor of the unit figures to be sophomore Will Heldt.
3 – 36 percent of roster composed of transfer portal additions
We broke down the roster composition recently to discover almost four of 10 players (36 percent) on the current 84-man scholarship roster are an addition from the portal. And the 2024 squad also includes five portal transfers who are walk-ons. So, add it up … that’s 35 portal players on the team.
Of the 30 scholarship portal players on hand, three remain from the Jeff Brohm era (RE Joe Anderson, DL Damarjhe Lewis and NT Cole Brevard).
Two questions
1 – Will CB Tarrion Grant help in 2024?
News broke last week that the 5-star recruit from Murfressboro, Tenn., was reclassifying from the Class of 2025 to 2024. Grant, who is taking an online Maymester class now, will get to campus later this month.
What role will Grant play this fall? Not sure. We’ll see where he’s at when he gets here. But, know this: He’ll have every chance to compete to start.
The cornerback depth chart figures to have Nyland Green and Markevious Brown as starters with Derrick Rogers and Botros Alisandro the No. 2 pairing. The No. 1 star: Kyndrich Breedlove backed by Salim Turner-Muhammad. That’s a lot of veteran talent for Grant to climb over.
2 – Should you be worried about the backup quarterback situation?
Yes. The quarterback spot is unique, as only one can play–obviously. QBs get antsy and often transfer in pursuit of a better opportunity to be the man if they aren’t the man.
Purdue has a nice situation with Hudson Card starting. But questions loom behind him should Card get hurt.
Ryan Browne and Bennett Meredith both are back. They had their moments when they alternated in last year’s 23-15 loss at Northwestern, when Card was out with injury. Meredith started and hit 5-of-7 passes for 36 yards and ran four times for seven yards. Browne was more impactful, connecting on 12-of-16 passes for 104 yards with two interceptions. And he ran 21 times for 85 yards. Purdue outgained NU, 443-329, but had four turnovers.
There also is true freshman Marcos Davila, who looks like No. 2 signal-caller after working with the No. 2 offense in the spring game. Will he really get the call if Card is out? If so, is Davila ready? He looks like the future at the position.
One bold statement: Koy Beasley will be most impactful freshman
Yes, K Spencer Porath will play a big role. But keep an eye on Koy Beasley.
He’s a bit on the small size (5-9, 170), but Beasley is a special player with deluxe speed. He’ll begin his career as a safety, and he could forge a role for a position that needs depth.
It also would not be a shock to see Beasley return punts and/or kickoffs. And–who knows?–maybe Beasley will get some looks a receiver in a few packages? Bottom line: The ball needs to be in Beasley’s hands.
It’s gonna be fun to watch him.
The post The 3-2-1: Purdue and the transfer portal appeared first on On3.
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