As with any college football program, the transfer portal changes rosters from season to season more often than ever before. And Purdue can expect a lot of changes.
Ryan Walters, who has been Purdue’s head coach for two years, has rebuilt the roster with 14 transfers from the portal, two transfers from junior colleges and a strong recruiting class.
Despite last year’s 4-8 record (not entirely dismal considering the team has won three games or fewer five times in the last 11 years), Purdue is in the midst of a complete rebuild.
With the return of quarterback Hudson Card and running back Devin Mockobee to lead the offense, the Boilermakers have a solid foundation on offense.
However, the defense, which returns only five starters, needs to make significant progress. Walters has already gained some experience and expectations are rising in West Lafayette.
Who are the best returning players for the Purdue Boilermakers in 2024?
The Purdue Boilermakers’ best returning players
10) Markevious Brown, DB
Markevious Brown brings a wealth of experience to the Boilermakers’ secondary. The 6’1″ defensive back made an immediate impact after transferring from Ole Miss and became a key player in his first season at Purdue.
He appeared in all 12 games, started 11 times, and recorded 45 tackles, including 32 solo tackles and three tackles for loss. Brown also led the team with two forced fumbles, including a crucial strip sack that was recovered for a touchdown, giving Purdue the lead in a win over Illinois.
9) Will Heldt, DE
Will Heldt finished his freshman season with 12 tackles, including eight solo stops and one tackle for loss – impressive numbers for a true freshman. However, many in the Purdue football program believe Heldt will have a breakout season in his sophomore season.
Heldt has gained mass since 2023, increasing his playing weight from 250 to 265 pounds this year without compromising his other skills.
With his size, strength and speed, Heldt is poised to be an effective pass rusher for Purdue this season.
8) Jahmal Edrine, WR
Jahmal Edrine is something of an unknown for Purdue, but many believe he can be a rising offensive star in the Big Ten.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver was poised to become a key player for Purdue after transferring from FAU, where he played against the Boilermakers in 2022.
Unfortunately, Edrine tore his ACL on the second day of fall camp and missed the 2023 season.
During his time at FAU, Edrine played in 11 games, starting nine, and amassed 570 yards on 39 receptions and six touchdowns, ranking second on the team in yards, receptions and receiving touchdowns.
7) Marcus Mbow, RT
Last season, Marcus Mbow’s promising 2023 season was abruptly cut short by a leg injury in the game against Iowa on October 7, forcing him to spend the offseason rehabbing.
As a freshman, however, Mbow quickly made a name for himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the Big Ten, starting 14 games for Purdue. His impressive performance earned him honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and recognition as a Freshman All-American.
He will definitely be a pro when his time comes, and he will play a big role in providing running routes and protecting Purdue’s quarterback in 2024.
6) Gus Hartwig, C
Purdue has a certified starter to anchor its offensive line.
For the third consecutive year, Gus Hartwig has earned a spot on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, an award given to the best center in college football. Since joining the Boilermakers in 2020, Hartwig has been a key part of the offensive line and has started 36 games over the course of his career.
Entering his fifth and final season at Purdue, the four-time All-Big Ten honorable mention center remains the leader of the Boilermakers’ offensive line.
Despite suffering an injury at the end of the 2022 season, Hartwig returned last year and started the final nine games. His leadership on the line helped Purdue lead the Big Ten in rushing in conference play and post the program’s highest single-season rushing total (2,029 yards) since 2012.
5) Kydran Jenkins, LB
Kydran Jenkins will move up from defensive end to linebacker in 2023, but he was excellent last season.
Jenkins was a force on the field, recording 57 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and even scoring a touchdown. He started all 12 games and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.
Jenkins finished second in the Big Ten this year with 15.5 tackles for loss, cementing his importance as a key player on defense.
He will play a big role in the Boilermakers’ defense in 2024.
4) Dillon Thieneman, S
In his freshman year, Dillon Thieneman led Purdue with 106 tackles and showcased his playmaking ability with six interceptions. He also forced two fumbles, cementing his reputation as a standout defensive player in West Lafayette.
Thieneman made a big impact last year, earning several prestigious awards after his impressive freshman season. He was named FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year and Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year, while also earning All-America Third Team honors from the AP.
His outstanding performance at Purdue generated a lot of buzz during the preseason and Thieneman was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
The Bednarik Award is given to the best defensive player in college football and underscores the high expectations placed on Thieneman this season.
3) Cole Brevard, NT
At 6’3″ and 330 pounds, Brevard is one of the biggest and most imposing nose tackles in the Big Ten.
But nose tackles aren’t exactly a stat line. They stand out on video. And Brevard stands out with his ability to clog up the middle.
2) Devin Mockobee, RB
Former walk-on Devin Mockobee has quickly established himself as a top player at Purdue, rushing for 1,779 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and scoring 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Mockobee is a versatile running back and has also proven to be an effective receiver, catching 51 passes for 454 yards and one touchdown. Entering his junior year, Mockobee was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List.
In 2023, Mockobee scored seven touchdowns (six rushing and one receiving), ranking second in scoring. He found the end zone in seven different games and surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark twice, including a season-high 153 yards in a win over Minnesota.
For his performance, Mockobee received honorable mention in the All-Big Ten for the second time.
Entering his junior season, Mockobee is already making his mark in Purdue’s record books. The Boonville, Indiana native currently ranks 14th in rushing touchdowns (15) and 18th in rushing yards (1,779).
He is just 221 yards away from becoming the first Boilermaker since Markell Jones to surpass the 2,000-yard mark in his career.
1) Hudson Card, QB
Hudson Card made a strong impression in his debut season at Purdue after transferring from Texas, finishing third in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (217.0), completing 59% of his passes (215 of 365) for 2,387 yards, with 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 11 starts.
Card also did a good job on the ground, rushing 93 times for 203 yards and scoring five touchdowns. His ability to keep the offense going earned him honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.
As long as he is protected and limits turnovers, Card is expected to continue to successfully lead Purdue’s offense.
If Card can make a big leap in his second season at Purdue under offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, the Boilermakers’ offense could become a sleeping giant.
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