It will be a completely different look for the Purdue Boilermakers when they take the field on Sept. 2 against the Fresno State Bulldogs to open the 2023 campaign.
Jeff Brohm served as the head coach over the last six seasons in West Lafayette, Indiana. He returned to his alma mater to run the Louisville Cardinals program after Scott Satterfield left for the Cincinnati Bearcats opening.
The Boilermakers turned to a rising name in the coaching community to run the program. Ryan Walters was the architect behind the Illinois Fighting Illini defense that ranked among the nation’s best. Now he gets the opportunity to run his own program after 13 years as an assistant. Walters played safety for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2004 to 2008.
In Paul Myerberg’s series on power rankings and one big question for each conference team, he identified one major inquiry for Purdue. The Boilermakers were ranked No. 11 in the Big Ten.
‘How good is the marriage of OC Graham Harrell and QB Hudson Card?’
New Purdue coordinator Graham Harrell takes over an offense that loses three huge pieces in quarterback Aidan O’Connell, wide receiver Charlie Jones and tight end Payne Durham. In comes Texas transfer Hudson Card, who started multiple games the past two seasons with 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Early feedback this spring has been positively glowing: Card has been singled out by teammates for his production, command and leadership qualities during the transition to a new staff. – Myerberg
Card was dependable at Texas but it felt like he never really got a fair shake as the starting quarterback. Casey Thompson was originally the backup before taking over for the Longhorns in 2021. Last season, Texas had former Ohio State signee Quinn Ewers under center. Given that Arch Manning was coming to town, it was time for Card to find a new opportunity.
He will now be paired up with another former Big 12 quarterback, Graham Harrell. The Red Raiders’ all-time leading passer has been making the rounds as an assistant with Oklahoma State, Washington State, North Texas, USC, and West Virginia. Perhaps this will be Harrell’s opportunity to shine with a more defensive minded head coach.
We will soon find out if this marriage is a match made in heaven.
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