Boilers Open 2026 Spring Practices

Interviews: Coach Odom | Coach Hinshaw | Ryan Browne

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Football hosted its first of 15 spring practices that lead up to the program's Spring Showcase scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at noon. 

Head coach Barry Odom welcomed back 66 Boilers and added 54 newcomers ahead of the 2026 season. Forty-seven newcomers joined the team for spring practice, while the other seven will join the program in the summer. 

"The returners we have, in two month's time, have done a tremendous job on physically changing thier bodies for the better. We're a much bigger, faster and explosive football team," said Odom. "The mid-year freshmen are an impressive group, and I certainly think we've hit on a number of transfer portal guys that will have an immediate impact."

Of the returning players, quarterback Ryan Browne leads the offensive side of the ball. He showed flashes in 2025 when he threw for 2,153 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 206 yards on the ground and four additional scores. Using his versatility, Browne also scored a 14-yard receiving touchdown on a trick play against Notre Dame.

After he rejoined the program last summer, Browne is excited to get extended work this offseason under a coaching staff that has shown belief in his abilities. 

"It means a lot and motivates me that they believe in my ability," said Browne. "If you have someone that believes in you, that's really what you need. It's all I could ever ask for."

The quarterback room returned four of its five members from the 2025 season with the only addition being freshman Corin Berry from Covina, California. With a familiar group and extended practice time, quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw is excited about the outlook.

"It's night and day where we were last year compared to where we are this year," said Hinshaw. "Our standard is going to be pushed constantly to go be great at that position."

Purdue returns to the field for its second spring practice on Thursday, March 5.