Purdue Boilermakers 2024 Football Preview

Two years ago, Purdue won the Big Ten’s west division and played in a New Years’ Day bowl game. But then Jeff Brohm fled the Big Ten to return home to Louisville and the ACC, with former Illinois’ defensive coordinator Ryan Walters taking over in 2023. The Boilermakers went 4-8 with only nine returning starters in 2023, but with 14 returning starters in year two, improvement seems in the cards.

Especially with senior quarterback Hudson Card (6’3” 210 lbs.) back. Card’s worst game of the 2023 season was against Nebraska, where he completed 50% of his passes for 100 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. For the season, Card completed nearly 59% of his passes for 2,387 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Card is also mobile enough to be productive, averaging 2.2 yards per carry and gaining 203 yards rushing with five touchdowns. Card was injured much of the second half of the season, but played his best in the final two games of the season where he completed over 64% of his passes for 526 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Redshirt freshman Ryan Browne (6’4” 215 lbs.) played sparingly to preserve his redshirt last season; he completed 12 of 16 passes for 104 yards, but with two interceptions last season. True freshman Marcos Davila (6’3” 230 lbs.) was in for the spring, and is the future for Purdue at quarterback.

Purdue’s running back room received a huge upgrade when Reggie Love (5’11” 205 lbs.) transferred from Illinois, where he rushed for 567 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Illini. He’ll pair with junior Devin Mockobee (6’0” 200 lbs.), who exploded with a 178 yard outing against the Huskers in 2022. Last season, Mockobee rushed for 807 yards and six touchdowns. Purdue should have one of the better running back groups in the Big Ten this season.

Purdue has to replace their top four receivers from last season, with only sophomore tight end Max Klare (6’4” 245 lbs.) returning. Klare caught 22 passes for 196 yards last season. UCLA transfer Kam Brown (6’1” 190 lbs.) has 30 career starts with 836 yards receiving. Florida Atlantic transfer Jahmal Edrine (6’3” 215 lbs.) had 579 yards receiving his first two seasons at FAU. Purdue is also counting on contributions from Georgia transfers CJ Smith (6’3” 175 lbs.) and De’Nylon Morrissette (6’1” 200 lbs.) to fill the void. This is a very inexperienced group and the biggest question mark going into 2024 for Purdue.

Three starters return on the offensive line after an injury-filled 2023 season. Senior center Gus Hartwig (6’5” 315 lbs.) and junior right tackle Marcus Mbow (6’5” 305 lbs.) were both honorable mention All-Big Ten honorees in 2022, but injuries last held Hartwig out of the first three games and Mbow the last six. Same for junior left guard Mahamane Moussa (6’4” 310 lbs.), who missed the last four games due to injuries. Out of the transfer portal, Purdue added right guard Jalen Grant (6’3” 300 lbs.). who started 27 games at Bowling Green, and left tackle Corey Stewart (6’6” 322 lbs.), who started 30 games at Ball State. If healthier, Purdue’s offensive line should be much stronger in 2024. Because of that, I expect Purdue to run the ball much more than in the past with Mockobee and Love.

Ryan Walters built his resume as a great defensive coordinator prior to taking over at Purdue, so in year two, expect some progress on that side of the ball, thought that optimism could be tempered by lack of experience. Up front, junior nose tackle Cole Brevard (6’3” 315 lbs.) is the lone returning starter on the defensive line. Senior defensive end Joe Anderson (6’4” 280 lbs.) and senior defensive tackle Jeffrey M’ba (6’3” 315 lbs.) should move into the starting lineup.

Senior Kydran Jenkins (6’1” 260 lbs.) is moving from defensive end to linebacker. A three-year starter, Jenkins earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors with 57 tackles plus 7.5 sacks and eight more tackles for loss, plus eight quarterback hurries. Junior inside linebacker Yanni Karlaftis (6’3” 235 lbs.) had 55 tackles after taking over at midseason.

In the secondary, Purdue’s up-and-coming star is sophomore safety Dillon Thieneman (6’0” 205 lbs.) who earned second team All-Big Ten honors as a true freshman. A five time freshman of the week last season, Thieneman led the Boilermakers with 106 tackles and six interceptions. Senior cornerback Markevious Brown (5’11” 180 lbs.) added 45 tackles and six pass-breakups.

Combine all of the inexperience across the defense and at receiver with a tough schedule that includes Notre Dame, Oregon State, Wisconsin, Oregon, Ohio State and Penn State, you can see why Big Ten media members pick Purdue to finish last in the Big Ten in 2024. I don’t think the Boilermakers will be the worst football team in the Big Ten, though their record could still wind up there if they can’t grind some games out with their running game in 2024.