WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The first training camp of the Ryan Walters era opened Wednesday morning for the Purdue football team, as the Boilermakers had their first practice of the 2023 campaign at the Bimel Practice Complex.
Walters, who was named Purdue's 37th head coach in December after leading one of the top defenses in the nation as the coordinator at Illinois over the last two seasons, got his first on-field look of an enhanced roster that won the Big Ten West title last season.
After dipping into the transfer portal during the offseason, Wednesday provided the first opportunity to watch the new host of Boilermakers, including quarterback Hudson Card who made his way to West Lafayette from Texas.
After the first day of practice Coach Walters, offensive lineman Marcus Mbow and safety Cam Allen spoke to the media about the new culture and energy surrounding the program.
Coach Walters on what he wants to see from the team this week...
"Want to see some competition and embracing the early challenges. That's the one unknown right now, how we'll handle adversity when it hits. We've got some veteran guys, some experienced guys, but we don't have veteran and experience together. We are just trying to put them in situations where they can get that chemistry going and react to adversity the proper way."
Marcus Mbow on the state of the offensive line...
"It's looking good. We're coming together and it's been a long offseason of working hard and working as one. I feel like that togetherness, that brotherhood, that working together as a team, that going through adversity as a team is always going to bring you together. I feel like our O-line has been doing a lot on the side, a lot that's not required and I think that's going to help us a lot this year."
Cam Allen on coming back for his fifth year...
"I knew right when coach Walters got the job that I was going to be here. Purdue has been home to me. I never thought about switching up anything. I love the fans, the environment. Purdue is a great place for me."