The 3-2-1: Curious case of portal addition gone missing, o-line shopping and more
Adding to the offensive line, the courtship of a wideout, a daunting 2025 schedule and more much It’s time for the 3-2-1.
Three things learned
1 – The circumstances around the departure of WR Corey Gammage seem dubious
The Marshall transfer was enrolled at Purdue, appearing in the school directory. He even had logged in for Maymester classes. But Gammage never showed up on campus, going dark in recent weeks. The next thing Purdue knew, Gammage was off to UCF. It all seemed very … curious.
Such is life in the wild world of the transfer portal.
2 – Grad transfers are allowed to transfer even after enrolling at a school
This I didn’t know until the Gammage kerfuffle. I thought once a player was enrolled at a school–grad transfer or undergrad transfer–he was bound to the school for at least that semester. That’s not the case for grad transfers.
College football needs some type of binding agreement for transfers–a letter-of-intent–to sign to prevent the constant churn and wonder if a grad transfer is going to bolt over the summer. Maybe one day players will sign contracts as part of a move toward being employees. Who knows what the future holds for the sport? But there are just too many loose ends from a portal standpoint.
3 – Purdue is still looking to bolster the o-line
I learned last week the program is looking to bolster the offensive line, which needs help at tackle. Purdue is targeting Bakyne Coly, who plays at NAIA Lawrence Tech in Southfield, Mich. He was a sophomore last season.
No doubt, he likely only would be counted on to provide depth to a position that is led by left tackle Mahamane Moussa and right tackle Daniel Johnson. Ben Farrell, a transfer from NAIA Indiana Wesleyan, also figures in the mix. If needed, Purdue could swing projected No. 1 right guard Marcus Mbow to tackle.
Purdue also is wooing Colorado’s Austin Johnson, who is more of an interior lineman. He needs to graduate in order to transfer. So, the soonest he could arrive in West Lafayette would be July, if it all works out.
Two questions
1 – Can Purdue add a receiver?
The staff is trying, recruiting Jayden Dixon-Veal, who was at San Mateo JC in California. He committed to Oregon State late last week. But, don’t shut the door on Dixon-Veal despite the verbal pledge to the Beavers. Could he be flipped?
2 – How daunting will Purdue’s 2025 schedule be?
It looks like a doozy. The league announced last week home and away foes for each Big Ten school for 2024 and 2025, when USC and UCLA will be aboard. The ’25 slate has the Boilers playing at Michigan and at UCLA. There also are visits from Ohio State, Minnesota and Iowa. If that wasn’t enough, Purdue also has to play at Notre Dame.
One prediction: Tyrone Tracy will blossom
Tyrone Tracy’s move from receiver to running back will pay dividends. Truth be told, Tracy should have been a running back his entire college career. It was his best spot in high school.
Alas, Tracy spent four years at Iowa as a wideout and last year at Purdue there, too. He made only 28 catches last season for 198 yards and ran 17 times for 138. He didn’t score a TD.
Tracy, who excelled in the spring, is a more natural back who will be the No. 2 option behind Devin Mockobee. Bottom line: Purdue should have a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield … running and receiving.
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