Purdue Boilermakers Football Offseason Preview

The Purdue Boilermakers had been struggling under coach Jeff Brohm. While Brohm wasn’t on the hot seat entering 2021, he certainly had failed to meet expectations and was met with a lot of grumbling from the fan base. He needed to have a big season which quieted the doubts which had been accumulating in West Lafayette. He needed to respond to his critics and show that he could put the pieces together at Purdue, a program which is struggling to gain a foothold in the Big Ten. Brohm handsomely succeeded. Purdue beat Iowa and Michigan State when those two teams were ranked in the top five. Purdue then upset Tennessee in the Music City Bowl to complete a nine-win season, which is as good as Purdue can realistically expect to be in most years. Brohm’s breakthrough dramatically resets expectations for the program and restores confidence that he can be productive there on a regular basis.

Key Personnel Lost

Dynamic receiver David Bell, who consistently made big plays for this team in the 2022 season, is gone, as are multiple members of the defensive front seven. Purdue didn’t lose a large number of players, but the ones the Boilermakers did lose are very important. This presents a tricky task for the coaching staff. It has a lot of returning players, but it needs to make sure that the right replacements at the important spots on the roster are good fits for what this team wants to achieve.

Important Incoming Freshmen

Nic Caraway, a defensive lineman, and Joe Strickland, also a defensive lineman, will try to beef up Purdue’s front four. The Boilermakers have to be able to stand tall in the trenches if they are to have any hope of replicating 2021’s successes. Purdue was not overpowered by most opponents last season. It was able to play Michigan State and Iowa on even terms, and the defense did a good job of containing most opposing offenses. Ohio State was the exception, not the rule. Most of the time, the defense was able to limit damage and make the game winnable for the offense. Caraway and Strickland will be building blocks in the attempt to reshape Purdue’s defense this season.

Key Position Battles

Milton Wright, a returning player, and incoming transfers Tyrone Tracy and Elijah Canion will fight for spots at the starting wide receiver positions to replace David Bell. That’s one important battle. The other one is along the defensive line, where the coaches need to see players step up and make it clear that Purdue will not regress at this position group in the coming autumn.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

Purdue has a proven returning quarterback, so the goal on offense is to surround him with playmakers at receiver who can continue to make the passing game thrive. On defense, it begins with the front four and continues with the linebackers as part of the front seven. The secondary should be fine, but the Boilermakers need to show they can be robust and tough up front.