Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter smiles Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Where Purdue's 2026 Recruiting Class Ranks After Rivers Knight's Commitment

Originally posted on Purdue Boilermakers on SI
By Dustin Schutte | Last updated Sep 29, 2025 9:54 AM ET

Purdue has received a bump in the 2026 recruiting rankings following a commitment from forward Rivers Knight over the weekend. The Boilermakers now have the third-ranked class, according to 247Sports.

Sunday, Purdue received a commitment from three-star power forward Rivers Knight, a North Carolina product who is spending his final season at the prep level at La Lumiere in LaPorte, Ind. He became the third player of the 2026 class to commit to coach Matt Painter and the Boilermakers.

Purdue has also received commitments from 6-foot-1 point guard Luke Ertel and 6-foot-6 shooting guard Jacob Webber.

247Sports had Purdue ranked inside the top 10 of the 2026 recruiting rankings before Knight's commitment on Sunday. After his pledge, the Boilermakers were bumped up to third. They also currently have the top-ranked class in the Big Ten.

Painter and his staff are recruiting heavily for the 2026 class, as the program will lose six players to eligibility following the 2025-26 season. Purdue will have to replace Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, Oscar Cluff, Liam Murphy, and Sam King.

There are a lot of shoes to fill.

Yes, Purdue could replace some of that talent through the transfer portal, but Painter has always emphasized recruiting through the high school level. So far, the Boilermakers have done an excellent job in that respect.

Purdue fans will also want to keep an eye on 6-foot-7 wing Ralph Scott, another Purdue target in the 2026 class. He is a top-40 prospect and has set a commitment date for Friday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 p.m. ET. He's deciding between Houston, Purdue, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

Could he be the next player to commit to Purdue and bolster this 2026 class even more?