Purdue Football: Shittah Sillah ready for rebirth of career

Could the 2024 Purdue football season lead to the resurrection of Shittah Sillah’s career?

The former Boston College defensive player saw his career ravaged by injuries over five years with the Eagles, and looks to cap his college career with a sixth year full of success in West Lafayette.

As for why he opted for Purdue football, Stillah said it goes back to his first visit in West Lafayette.

“The first visit when I came here, they welcomed me in. The scheme is great, and I wanted to come somewhere for my last year where I can still develop, but at the same time produce,” Sillah said recently.

At Boston College, Sillah recorded 80 total tackles and six and a half sacks. He said the way Purdue football gets after the opposing quarterback was “definitely” a draw for him. Last year, Nick Scourton and Kydran Jenkins were among the best in the Big Ten Conference at recording sacks. However, Scourton has taken his 10 sacks to Texas A&M, while Jenkins has moved to inside linebacker with the Boilermakers.

“Seeing what Nic and KJ did last year definitely influenced my decision. They had a hell of a year, and I feel like me and Will [Heldt], CJ [Madden], and the other guys, Jireh [Ojata] and DJ [Allen] could do the same thing,” Sillah said.

In order for that to happen, Sillah will lean on his explosiveness to create issues for opposing tackles.

“I can really get after the quarterback and use my speed. I have long arms so I can go power as well,” Sillah said.

With spring practice behind him, Sillah admits he used the time to better learn the scheme and get adjusted to Purdue football.

“Just learning the scheme and getting adjusted,” Sillah said.