5 new Purdue football players who will have you reaching for the program

INDIANAPOLIS – Purdue football players likely needed their own reference sheet last winter thanks to another influx from the transfer portal.

Unlike in coach Ryan Walters’ first season, though, the bulk of the team’s newcomers came in during that first portal window in December. They went through spring practices together as a team and spent months bonding and battling for playing time.

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Over the course of preseason camp, though, the 2024 signing class also showed it might be ready to make an impact this fall.

Shitta Sillah, rush end

Pronounced “SHEE-ta,” by the way. The Boston College transfer was arguably the second-highest profile pass rusher brought in through the portal, after Georgia’s CJ Madden. Yet as preseason camp progressed, the 6-4, 251-pound Sillah began taking more and more No. 1 defense snaps opposite second-year Carmel product Will Heldt . That trio is tasked with replicating the edge rush punch lost when Nic Scourton transferred and KJ Jenkins moved to linebacker.

DJ Wingfield, offensive line

He may be playing left tackle on opening day, or he may be playing right guard. The New Mexico transfer’s most immediate contribution has been his versatility. He likely fits better long-term on the inside, but he subbed at left tackle during camp while another transfer, Corey Stewart (Ball State), rehabbed an injury. Last season he contributed to one of the top 15 per-carry rushing offenses in the country. He’ll be a mainstay for this line, wherever he lines up.

Tarrion Grant, cornerback

Purdue had not signed a consensus top-100 prospect since 2019 before it beat out a long list of major programs for Grant. The Tennessee native’s 6-2, 197-pound frame comes with length that can cause problems for receivers on the perimeter. A foot injury for Georgia transfer Nyland Green opened up some first-team reps in preseason camp. Grant may have the talent to claim more snaps on game day.

Shamar Rigby, wide receiver

Another true freshman, though unlike Grant, Rigby did not arrive until the summer. Even the coaches seemed pleasantly surprised by how consistently the Florida native has flashed in preseason camp . They like his 6-3 reach and playmaking ability. Most of all they’ve been impressed by the way he asserted himself among the returning veterans and experienced transfers in the receiver group.

Kyndrich Breedlove, cornerback

The Tennessee native started his career at Ole Miss and spent last season at Colorado. So he brings 19 FBS games at power conference programs into his opportunity with the Boilermakers. He’ll mostly be asked to cover opposing slot receivers. Last season with the Buffaloes, though, he showed a willingness to mix it up at the line of scrimmage with 11 solo tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 5 new Purdue football players who will have you reaching for the program