Purdue Takes Practice Back Outside on Tuesday

Interviews: Coach Odom | Coach Crabtree | Nuku Mafi | Jude McCoskey

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Football went back outside on Tuesday to start its final week of spring practice, ahead of the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 11 at noon at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Headed down the home stretch of the spring, Purdue has shown a ton of improvement in the eyes of head coach Barry Odom.

"When you look at the personal development of each individual, I think they all would say where we are today from where we were, we made a big-time jump," said Odom. "It’s exciting to see."

Contributing to the encouraging spring season is new offensive line coach Zach Crabtree, who has both played and coached under current Purdue offensive coordinator Josh Henson. He spent time with Henson as an assistant offensive line coach (2024) and graduate assistant (2022-23) at USC after he started 46 games at right tackle under Henson at Oklahoma State (2013-17). 

A large group, the offensive line returned 11 from 2025, while adding five through the transfer portal and four true freshmen. Up and down the depth chart, Purdue has seen contributions from every level of experience in the room to this point in the spring.

"We’re developing depth and guys that give us the ability to compete for positions, which then gives you the ability to push one another within the room," said Crabtree. "When you have a guy behind you that’s a really good player, and you’re a really good player, it makes you come out every single day and hold the standard."

A young, but experienced, addition to the room, Nuku Mafi, comes to Purdue after he started all 12 games at Oklahoma State. Utilized in 11 games at left tackle, he also started the Cowboys' opener at right tackle. His experience all came as a redshirt freshman, and Mafi looks to take the next step in West Lafayette. 

"I have a whole lot of respect for [Coach Crabtree], Coach Henson and especially Coach Odom for bringing me in," said Mafi. "I just felt that love from them."

Seeing more time on the offensive line this spring, Jude McCoskey enters his second season at Purdue after appearing in 11 games last season but only totaling 33 offensive snaps. A former star at FCS Indiana State, the Terre Haute, Indiana native knew he wanted to become a Boilermaker.

"Once I knew I was able to come here, I couldn’t pass it up," said McCoskey. "My one dream growing up was being able to play Big Ten Football, especially here at Purdue, in my home state."

Boaz Stanley also headlines the transfer group heading into his final season after starting 21 games across the last two seasons at South Carolina and Troy between center, right guard and right tackle.

Additionally, true freshmen Terrell Berryhill Jr., Brock Brownfield and Rico Schrieber all recieved praise from Odom during his media availability.

"All three of those guys getting to go through winter conditioning and the amount of reps they've gotten in spring practice, don't be surprised if they help us in some capacity this fall," said Odom.

Purdue will use the rest of the week to prepare for Saturday's Spring Showcase in Ross-Ade Stadium. The event is free to the public and begins at noon.