Purdue Returns to Practice Following Spring Break

Interviews: Coach Odom | Coach Marshall | De'Nylon Morrissette | Xavier Townsend

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Football returned to the field on Tuesday after taking a week off for spring break. 

Head coach Barry Odom and the team look to continue their strong showing this spring following the break from action. In his second season at the helm, Odom is pleased with the elevation of the program and expressed urgency to continue the trend in the second half of spring ball.

“Every single position group continues to elevate their play, and I’m excited about what each coach is doing with their guys," said Odom. "We’ve only got about 19 days left, so we need to make the most of them.”

Among the coaches elevating their position's play is Bilal Marshall in his first season leading the wide receivers. He returned to his alma mater under Odom prior to the 2025 season as an offensive analyst before taking over the wide receiver room this season. 

A solid wideout in his senior season with the Boilermakers, Marshall capped his career with 40 receptions for 477 yards and three touchdowns in 2016.

“When [Odom] reached out and told me about his plan and what his vision was for this university, I was like ‘heck yes, I’m coming’," said Marshall. "I did a lot of research on him as a person, as a coach, and the people he’s worked with and everyone had nothing but great things to say. Without a doubt, I was going back home.”

Under the guidance of Marshall, De'Nylon Morrissette looks to complete a healthy campaign in 2026 after an ankle injury held him out for the entire 2025 season. Entering his third season with Purdue after he began his career at Georgia for two seasons, Morrissette has 15 receptions for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

"I feel like I’m stronger in every aspect from lateral movement to vertical speed to strength on the field," said Morrissette. "I feel like I've actually taken the time to build every aspect of my ankle back up."

Joining the Boilers' wide receiver room this season and bringing four years of high-level experience is senior Xavier Townsend, who spent one season at Iowa State after three years at UCF. A versatile wideout, Townsend has 84 catches for 764 yards, four touchdowns and adds 37 rushes for 296 yards and two touchdowns over his career.

“I felt like this was a great opportunity, and we’re building it up right now," said Townsend. "On my visit, it felt like family, and I knew some of the coaches from prior schools. It felt like a good fit for me.”

Like many Boilermakers, Townsend had a direct tie to Purdue's current staff after he played the 2023 and 2024 seasons at UCF under quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw, who was the Knights' offensive coordinator during that time.

Purdue continues spring practice on Thursday, March 26.