Ryan Walters Big Ten media day recap: What did he discuss?

Purdue second-year coach Ryan Walters discussed a lot of topics during Big Ten media days this week. A look at some of the topics he addressed:

On how far he has come as a head coach in one season …

“It’s funny how trends are in football that kind of stay consistent. Usually, when you got a first-year player, they make strides going into Year Two. I definitely feel that correlates with coaching, at least in my case. Being a first-year head coach a year ago to kind of going through the season and going through a full offseason, heading into the start of fall camp next week. Definitely feel like I’m in a different place, a much better place than I was personally year ago.”

On establishing a system with so much roster change …

“It does present challenges. I think you need to be strategic about when you bring guys in. I thought we did a really good job of bringing the majority of our newcomers in in January. So, that way, you do get a full offseason, and you gotta be strategic about how much time you spend in the weight room, how much time you spend on football. We got a good nucleus of guys returning, both on offense and defense. And what we do schematically, offense, defense, special teams, it’s user-friendly, which is why we had freshmen that played a year ago. And from a transfer portal standpoint, guys can come in and contribute right away because of the way we install and teach.”

On being motivated by being picked to finish last …

“Absolutely. I definitely think there is a chip on everyone’s shoulder in the building. We are all here to compete. The three things we talk about the most in our program are being competitive, tough and disciplined with competitive being at the forefront. So, when you go 4,-8, you better have a chip on your shoulder. I think the guys we brought it, we feel like they have something to prove, as well. Definitely use it as motivation. Can’t really pay attention or harp on it on it too much, but I’d be naive to sort of turn a blind eye and not talk about the elephant in the room. So, we definitely addressed it.”

On having C Gus Hartwig back …

“It was huge, I think, for him personally being healthy going into the offseason. It was exciting for him. He saw the direction the program was going and wanted to be part of it. He’s been a stalwart in the locker room a long time and has earned the respect of his peers. The amount of offensive linemen we added, it was good to have somebody with his expertise and his knowledge of the game and the system and how we want to operate sort of lead that group.”

On if anything surprised him his first season …

“Obviously, you kind of go through every scenario that you can think of different things happening throughout the course of the year you want to prepare for, you had not seen before. And as a defensive guy, how better can I utilize my time for the team on the defensive side of the ball and as a head coach. I just think I have a better understanding of just how to use my time, time management and where I can add value to the best of my abilities for our program.”

On health of program …

“I believe we got a couple guys that got dinged up–I’m talking guys that we’re counting on having some production for us this season–that had minor injuries throughout the course of workouts that they’ll be back by Week One. So, it’s about as healthy I’ve been going into camp.”

On QB Hudson Card having a year of experience …

“The jump from Year One to Year Two is exponential and it’s no different for him even though he’s an older guy. It was the first year as a full-time starter at the collegiate level, first year in the system. So, just to see him more comfortable with the surroundings, more inundated with the locker room and getting those guys to kind of rally around, seeing how he handled the spring and sort of mastering what we’re doing schematically and also coming into his own as a leader. He’s the unquestioned leader on the offensive side of the ball. He knows this is his team from a quarterback standpoint and he definitely is taking that in stride and has embraced that. So, I’m excited to see what that looks like in terms of what that looks like this fall.”

On a tough 2024 schedule …

“The sort of the blueblood programs on the schedule, we’ve got a plethora of them. But anytime you’re in this conference and you play nine conference games, it’s gonna be a tough schedule. So, we knew that going into it. When you have those types of opponents, what great opportunities are out there for you, especially … with such low expectations (projected for Purdue). We’ve got a chance to do something special and it’s laid out there right in front of us. We got to take advantage of the opportunity, take advantage of the moment.”

On if changes to college football impact how he prepares his team …

“As a head coach, you just have to wear a lot of hats. It’s just the nature of the role. With the new changes, you can’t worry about what you think should happen or shouldn’t happen or what direction you should take or shouldn’t take. You just got to deal with what is in front of you and try to utilize the rules to the benefit of the program.”

On if any of the new rules are more impactful than others …

“I think the helmet communication, use of the video on the sideline and in the locker room will definitely be different. I think games will be sped up because of the time changes. But once you hit that two minute mark, it goes back to your old college football rules. But I definitely think there’s an opportunity to steal some time outs with a two minute warning. So, I think it’ll definitely be a learning curve and you got to be ready for it and use it to our advantage.”

On getting used to helmet communication …

“We did, both offensively and defensively (in the spring), so it’s not new going into the fall.”

On how things changed for him from this time last year …

“I spend a lot more time on program matters. Still have spent a lot of time fundraising and trying to bolster our NIL and collective. But definitely just feel more comfortable with what is needed. There were a lot of things that needed to change that had nothing to do with football a year ago. So, I had to spend a lot of time working on those changes. But now that the program is running the way we sort of envisioned it to run when we got the job, it’s definitely more settling to be in this role.”

On NIL …

“We are in the conversation. We still need to go compete, but I think we’ve got a passionate fan base and some really successful alumni who are very supportive of the program and I’m confident that we will be solid.”

On S Dillon Thieneman …

“Year One to Year Two growth, I fully expect him to be a lot better than he was a year ago. Will that look like 106 tackles and six interceptions? The reality is probably not. That was about as productive as I’ve seen from that position. But just his understanding of where his help is, what the offense is trying to do, his leadership on defense. We will be better as a defense because of his experience and his growth.”

On Kydran Jenkins moving from rush end to inside linebacker …

“He’s just gotten more comfortable. He went from being a somewhat undersized edge rusher to now he’s a big inside linebacker (6-1, 260) I just think he adds a different set of versatility, being able to still go get the quarterback and now playing sideline to sideline in the cylinder. Guys feed off of his athleticism and the sort of energy he brings. So, I’m excited to see what that looks like.”

On rebuilt receiving unit …

“I’m really excited about that group which had a complete overhaul outside of (Andrew) Sowinski , (Jaron) Tibbs and Arhmad Branch , who was a freshman last year. We got a lot of guys that are big, physical and really fast. So, I’m excited to see what competition looks like this fall. Jahmal (Edrine) is a better version of himself than he was going into camp than he was a year ago. So, I thought he was going to be our number one target last season. If things continue the way they’re continuing, I can see where that might be the case going into the fall.”

On who will be a leader on defense with S Sanoussi Kane gone …

“KJ is here. He’s played a lot of really good football for us. But we got other guys we brought in also that were vocal during the spring. Dillon was vocal during the spring. Antonio Stevens was another vocal guy. We don’t have that one outspoken, rah-rah, rally-the-troops leader. But we have more leaders on the defensive side of the ball than we had last season.”

On benefiting from Purdue’s run to the hoops national title game …

“Yeah, it was awesome to see in real time. I think it gives a tangible example of what is attainable and what is possible at Purdue from an athletic standpoint. We got to see firsthand the run that they made and the type of production and success they have year in and year out. So I think for our players and for our staff and for our community it shows you what is possible from an athletic standpoint in West Lafayette at Purdue University.”

On Big Ten expansion …

“Anytime you add four teams, like an Oregon, a USC, a UCLA, and a Washington, to the Big Ten Conference, it’s just going to add to the prestige, add to the strength of the Big Ten Conference. Those are great storied programs with great coaching staffs and great players, and I’m looking forward to competing against them year in and year out. As far as playing the Big Ten Championship game staying here in Indy, I think it adds to the tradition of the Big Ten Conference. Obviously I’m a little biased, but this is a great venue and a great location for a championship game.”

On if he’s had a Duane Purvis All-American at Triple XXX …

“I have been there. I have not done the peanut butter burger yet. It’s just I can’t — it just doesn’t add up in my mind on how that works together. But I have been there for breakfast on a couple of occasions, and they do a great job.”

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