WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The second fall camp of the Ryan Walters era at Purdue kicked off on Wednesday morning, starting outside before rain pushed practice to the Kozuch Football Performance Center.
Walters leads the Boilermakers into his second season at the helm with an expanded Big Ten awaiting for the 2024 season. The Purdue program itself will have a new look with the staff bringing in 58 freshmen and transfers to the roster.
The start of camp signals the end of the team's offseason program with the season opener against Indiana State on August 31 just around the corner. The first three days of practice will be in just helmets and jerseys before going to full pads next week.
Joining Coach Walters at the opening day media session were sophomore defensive back Dillon Thieneman and junior running back Devin Mockobee.
Thieneman is focused on building off one of the best freshman seasons in program history that saw him earn All-America and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He ranked third nationally in interceptions (6) and solo tackles (74), leading all freshmen and setting new Purdue freshman records along the way.
Meanwhile, Mockobee will look to spearhead the Purdue offense once again after leading the conference's top rushing attack a year ago. The Boonville, Indiana native is one of just four running backs in the Big Ten with 800 yards rushing in each of the last two seasons.
Coach Walters on how far this team has come...
"Looking back to where we were at this point a year ago it's not close. It's a night and day difference. Obviously a lot of new faces, but also the guys we've got returning they look different. They look more confident, more comfortable. The process is a lot smoother with a lot more recall. A lot to build off of."
Dillon Thieneman on his attitude coming into the year...
"It's definitely different coming in [this year]. I don't have to make so much of a name for myself, but that doesn't mean that I change anything that I do. I'm going to keep doing the same thing. I'm very appreciative of all the preseason accolades and stuff, but at the end of the day it doesn't mean anything yet."
Devin Mockobee on his goals coming in to this season...
"I think it's more about just [taking on] a bigger role for the program from a leadership standpoint and really bringing the guys together and becoming one single unit. I think, especially after this first day, it's really good to see how we were operating. I think we came out first day really hot. I loved our practice today. My only goal [personally] is to win."
Walters leads the Boilermakers into his second season at the helm with an expanded Big Ten awaiting for the 2024 season. The Purdue program itself will have a new look with the staff bringing in 58 freshmen and transfers to the roster.
The start of camp signals the end of the team's offseason program with the season opener against Indiana State on August 31 just around the corner. The first three days of practice will be in just helmets and jerseys before going to full pads next week.
Joining Coach Walters at the opening day media session were sophomore defensive back Dillon Thieneman and junior running back Devin Mockobee.
Thieneman is focused on building off one of the best freshman seasons in program history that saw him earn All-America and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He ranked third nationally in interceptions (6) and solo tackles (74), leading all freshmen and setting new Purdue freshman records along the way.
Meanwhile, Mockobee will look to spearhead the Purdue offense once again after leading the conference's top rushing attack a year ago. The Boonville, Indiana native is one of just four running backs in the Big Ten with 800 yards rushing in each of the last two seasons.
Coach Walters on how far this team has come...
"Looking back to where we were at this point a year ago it's not close. It's a night and day difference. Obviously a lot of new faces, but also the guys we've got returning they look different. They look more confident, more comfortable. The process is a lot smoother with a lot more recall. A lot to build off of."
Dillon Thieneman on his attitude coming into the year...
"It's definitely different coming in [this year]. I don't have to make so much of a name for myself, but that doesn't mean that I change anything that I do. I'm going to keep doing the same thing. I'm very appreciative of all the preseason accolades and stuff, but at the end of the day it doesn't mean anything yet."
Devin Mockobee on his goals coming in to this season...
"I think it's more about just [taking on] a bigger role for the program from a leadership standpoint and really bringing the guys together and becoming one single unit. I think, especially after this first day, it's really good to see how we were operating. I think we came out first day really hot. I loved our practice today. My only goal [personally] is to win."