The 3-2-1: The courtship of Mariyon Dye
Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s time for the 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.
Three things learned
1 – Big visitor
The parade of June official visitors began this past weekend. And, a big-time target was on campus: Mariyon Dye.
The four-star rush end from Elkhart, Ind., has an impressive list of suitors. Among them … Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee. Word is, the visit went well.
“Hometown,” Dye told On3 of what stands out about Purdue. “Always been my dream to play for a hometown team and be the face of Indiana.”
It is well-known Dye’s family would like for him to stay close to home.
Dye will visit Georgia on June 7, Ohio State June 14, Tennessee June 21. No visit set yet for FSU, a late-comer to the party.
Purdue has a shot at Dye for reasons beyond being the lone in-state school to make his cut. The Boilermaker defensive scheme plays well for rush ends. Staffers can just point to the stats of Nic Scourton and Kydran Jenkins from 2023, when Scourton was No. 1 in the Big Ten in sacks (10.0) and Jenkins was No. 3 (7.5). And Jenkins was No. 3 in TFLs (15.5) and Scourton was No. 4 (15.0).
More Purdue fuel: Boilermaker RB coach Lamar Conard is an Elkhart native who knows Dye’s coach: Travon Curry.
And the fact Purdue was first in line for Dye’s visits was significant. The Boiler staff got a chance to set the stage and make the first impression. And, it sounds like that first impression was good.
But the key to landing Dye probably will be this: Can he say “no” to a blue-blood program? Can he be content with “staying home” knowing that he still can be cultivated into a big-time player in a scheme that plays to his strengths?
The On3 Industry tabs Dye as the nation’s No. 22 edge rusher and No. 166 prospect overall. On3 rates him at No. 5 at his position and No. 40 overall. And On3 also puts him No 1 in the Hoosier State.
2 – Kickoff times
Purdue knows the starting time for half of its games, learning last week when it will kick off the season opener vs. Indiana State and the homecoming game (and Big Ten opener) vs. Nebraska.
2024 Purdue schedule
DateOpponentAug. 31Indiana State, Noon ET, BTNSept. 7OFFSept. 14Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBSSept. 21at Oregon State, 8:30 p.m. ET, CWSept. 28Nebraska, Noon ET, TBAOct. 5at WisconsinOct. 12at IllinoisOct. 18Oregon, 8 p.m. ET, FOX (Friday)Oct. 26OFFNov. 2NorthwesternNov. 9at Ohio StateNov. 16Penn StateNov. 22at Michigan State, 8 p.m. ET, FOX (Friday)Nov. 30at Indiana
3 – Specialists camp
Purdue held a camp for specialists on Saturday. One of the major goals was to find a backup long snapper. Mission: Accomplished. Purdue got a commitment from Claude Strnad of Illinois State, who has four years of eligibility.
The staff imported Nick Levy from William & Mary via the portal to be the No. 1 snapper, earning a scholarship from the Boiler staff. But, he was the only one on the roster at the moment. Purdue needed a backup. And, it found one in Strnad, who will come to campus as a walk-on.
Two questions
1 – Was it a surprise to see Purdue land a commitment from RB Jaron Thomas?
Yes. It was thought Purdue had its one and only running back commitment already in the fold in Ziaire Stevens. But staffers felt Thomas was too good to pass up.
The Elkhart (Ind.) Concord High product’s skill set has been described to me as “athletic, explosive, physical, elite acceleration, legit top-end speed.
RB coach Lamar Conard has known Concord coach Craig Koehler for over 15 years, working with his brother Eric at Illinois State and Miami (Ohio). The deal came together with Thomas–also a standout at linebacker–being offered and committing on Sunday.
The styles of Thomas and Stevens fit well together: Thunder (Thomas) and Lightning (Stevens), if you will.
2 – How is the roster looking?
With Purdue adding a long snapper over the weekend, I am told the roster is tapped out at 120. So, these are your 2024 Boilermakers.
One bold statement: Purdue won’t land a commitment from OVs this weekend
If anyone does commit, it could be ILB Grant Beerman of West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West.
“The thing I am looking forward to the most with the OV is getting to know some of the players and getting a feel for the culture among the team,” Beerman told GoldandBlack.com. “I have been impressed with what I have seen so far and am looking forward to seeing more.”
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