Interviews: Coach Shibest | Dylan Drennan | Jacobo Echeverria Lozano | Seth Turner
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Football wrapped up its open practice session of fall camp on Thursday morning (August 27), just eight days before kicking off the 2026 season.
One of many coaches to note the team showing stronger chemistry this season, special teams coordinator James Shibest is grateful for the opportunity to have worked with this unit since January.
“We’re so much further ahead with everything," said Shibest. "Last year we had to reteach everything with the team new from spring ball to fall camp… I see confident people and a good look in their eyes, which is different than what we saw last year.”
With the departure of both starting kicker and punter from last season, the Boilers had an open competition throughout the offseason. Jacobo Echevarria Lozano and Seth Turner competed for kickoff and place kicking, while Dylan Drennan and Sam Dubwig competed for punting.
During the competition, Echeverria, a true freshman, gained an edge in field goal kicking, while Turner took the reins on kickoff duties. On the punting side, Drennan was noted by Shibest as the player who is running with the ones.
“I’ve been very grateful in competing all summer with Seth,” said Echeverria Lozano. “We’ve been bringing each other up… It’s been a heavy competition all summer, and I’m just grateful to be in the position I’m in.”
Turner enters his second season with the Boilers and will resume his role from 2025 as the kickoff specialist. He totaled 53 kickoffs with 30 touchbacks a season ago.
“I’m going to be kicking off game one, so I’m excited for that,” said Turner. “I’m staying ready for any opportunities with the field goals… Whenever my number’s called, I’m going to be ready for the opportunity.”
Drennan joined the Boilers as a sophomore after he was an All-MAC punter in 2025 at Buffalo. He punted 65 times for a 44.8-yard average with 25 punts inside the 20. While being recruited out of high school, Drennan had contact with Shibest about a role at UNLV before he ultimately landed at Buffalo.
“He recruited me out of high school to UNLV, and he loved me there, it just didn’t end up working out,” said Drennan. “When I heard he went to Purdue I was obviously excited for him. Then when I heard he was calling me I was like ‘This is so cool.’ It’s the type of reunion I was fortunate to be in.”
Purdue returns to the field on Friday (August 28) with one week remaining until the start of the season on Friday (September 4) at home against Indiana State at 7 p.m. ET.
