Purdue Defense Preview 2025: The Transfer Portal Takes Over

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 12:09 AM ET

Barry Odom is a defensive coach, and he’s bringing over his defensive coordinator from UNLV. Mike Scherer led a Rebel D that was amazing at taking the ball away, led the Mountain West against the run, and was 11th in the nation in sacks. Purdue was bad at all of that.

The Boilermakers were last in the nation in pass efficiency defense, couldn’t stop the run, had a hard time coming up with third down stops, and were last in the Big Ten in pass D.

That’s what the transfer portal is for, with over 20 new players ready to step in and shine. Odom got a bunch of good ones. (Deep breath …)

Purdue Boilermakers Preview 2025: Defense

2025 Purdue Preview
Purdue Offense Breakdown
Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season

- The secondary lost a superstar safety in Dillon Thieneman. He’s off to Oregon, but the combination of Crew Wakley (BYU) and Tahj Ra-El (Memphis) will be good out of the gate.

New corners Tony Grimes (UNLV), Chad Brown (Nevada), and Ryan Turner (Boston College) are veteran ballers who’ll be an upgrade.

- The linebackers need work, but there are options. Alex Sanford didn’t do much over his few years at Arkansas, but Mani Powell came up with 59 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and nine tackles for loss at UNLV last season.

Charles Correa had a nice first year at UNLV, and Sanders Ellis made 86 tackles with 15.5 tackles for loss last season at Tennessee State.

- The Boilermakers got an underloved star at one end. CJ Nunnally IV was amazing for Akron - more on him later. The combination of CJ Madden and Trey Smith will get work on the other side, but Breylon Charles (North Texas) should step in and be a factor.

The tackles are a little iffy. TJ Lindsey is a big body from Auburn to join 340-pound Jamarion Harkless on the inside. But Marcus Moore (Akron) and Ian Jeffries (Arkansas State) will be key parts of the rotation.

Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season
2025 Purdue Preview
Purdue Offense Breakdown

This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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