WEST LAFAYETTE — Fall camp began for Purdue football on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
The Boilermakers are trying to put last season’s 2-10 record in the rear view.
There was less roster turnover than a season ago, and Purdue should be able to take advantage of the new rule that discontinued a transfer portal window following spring camp.
Still, 53 new faces and a few coaching staff moves won’t make the introduction to 2026 completely seamless.
As Purdue begins preparation for its Sept. 4 opener against Indiana State, here’s three storylines to follow before the season kicks off.
Did Purdue football arm Ryan Browne with enough weapons?
Ryan Browne’s first full season as Purdue’s starting quarterback was a mixed bag. While Browne wouldn’t say it publicly, he wasn’t provided with a plethora of playmakers and the offensive line’s lack of production didn’t help matters.
Nor did injuries to De’Nylon Morrissette, George Burhenn, Chauncey Magwood, Jalil Hall and eventually Devin Mockobee, which stripped Purdue of some of its best athletes.
Enter Zach Crabtree to replace Vance Vice as offensive line coach, a portal haul that should improve the front, and perhaps Browne improves simply by being better protected. Purdue supplied ample running back depth, something it didn’t have last season. The tight end room has been restocked and the Boilermakers prioritized bringing in more playmakers on the outside.
If the perceived upgrades live up to Purdue’s expectations, Browne’s progress in the offseason should be backed statistically as well.
Kevin Kane gets second chance as Purdue defensive coordinator
As far as offseason surprises goes, second-year head coach Barry Odom — who was adamant Purdue had moved on from the previous regime — hiring Kevin Kane to replace Mike Scherer as defensive coordinator ranks at the top.
Kane’s two seasons as Purdue’s defensive coordinator saw a mediocre Boilermaker unit on that side of the ball. In 2024, Kane’s second season leading the defense, Purdue was not only statistically the Big Ten’s worst defense, but the worst power conference program defense nationally by a wide margin.
To be fair, Kane’s hands were tied to the defensive system Ryan Walters wanted to run, and the one Walters also wanted to call. Odom, himself a former defensive coordinator, states this is Kane’s defense to do as he sees fit. The hire of former Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel as an analyst does provide a second voice from someone who has served in that role at a major college program.
Until Kane, who spent last season at Minnesota, provides evidence he’s up to the task, Purdue fans will be suspect of the hire.
Can Purdue football avoid the injury bug?
Morrissette went down with an ankle injury before last season began and never returned. Magwood finally got healthy, only to see his season end just as quickly as it began, with just two catches for 17 yards after transferring from Central Florida. Promising receiver Jalil Hall was lost in the season’s first game. Burhenn has played just eight games since a breakout performance against Indiana in the 2023 season finale, which remains Purdue’s last Big Ten victory.
Last season, it was a broken arm, on top of an already nagging ankle injury, that cut the uber athletic tight end’s season short.
Purdue likely wouldn’t have been a good team even if those injuries didn’t happen, but could they have been the difference in competitive losses to Minnesota, Michigan and Rutgers? We’ll never know, but last season the Boilers could ill afford injuries to key players. There’s more depth this season, but Purdue will still need good fortune on the injury front for any hopes of postseason football, which coaches and players haven’t shied from talking about.
As of now, Purdue is trending positively. Odom said last week the lone injury setback currently is freshman defensive end Max Carmicle, who is expected back healthy for the second week of fall camp.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Can Purdue football turn around after a tough year?
Reporting by Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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By Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier | USA TODAY Network
