Purdue Football: Post Spring Position Assessment: Defensive End

I’ll say one nice thing about the former coaching staff: they didn’t leave the cupboard empty at defensive end. When you combine the players that stayed with the arriving players, I think you can put together a respectable position group, if not…Dare I say…a good position group (I dare not, but someone else may be bolder)?

That’s good news for Coach Odom. While linebacker is the premier position in his defensive scheme, defensive end is a close second. At UNLV last season, the right defensive end spot put up huge numbers between starter Antonio Doyle and backup Fisher Camac. Combined, they contributed 102 tackles, 23 tackles-for-loss, and 14 sacks. Granted, some of Camac’s numbers come from outside linebacker and defensive end stats, but still, it’s a productive position in the defense.

Purdue has several players on the roster who could thrive in the Antonio Doyle edge role. CJ Madden, a former 4* Georgia transfer and holdover from the previous regime, still has the talent that made him one of the best defensive end/linebacker recruits in the nation coming out of high school. He’s bulked up to 270 pounds and could be a difference maker after missing most of last season to injury. It’s getting to “now or never” time for Madden, and I think his time is now.

Trey Smith, a transfer from Illinois, is another holdover who will contribute this season. Smith has a similar skill set to Madden and could give the Boilermakers a solid one-two punch off the edge, or they could end up as starters. Either way, Purdue has some intriguing talent returning at defensive end, and that’s before considering the new guys.

Speaking of the new guys, Coach Odom has some experienced, hungry players looking to make their mark on college football. That starts with senior Akron transfer CJ Nunnally IV. Last season,…

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Publish date : 2025-05-07 02:49:00

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