Boilers Continue Fall Camp Ahead of Saturday’s Fan Day

Interviews: Coach Henson | Coach Kane | George Burhenn | Jojo Hayden

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Football held its second practice of fall camp on Friday (August 7) ahead of its Fan Day on Saturday (August 8).

After head coach Barry Odom spoke to the media on Thursday (August 6) for the first fall practice, Friday’s availability featured both offensive coordinator Josh Henson and defensive coordinator Kevin Kane. Henson, entering his second season guiding the Boilermaker offense, senses greater depth throughout the entire roster compared to 2025. 

“When you have guys competing for the same spot, the position battles get more intense,” said Henson. “To gain that spot, you have to play better and more consistent. That’s what leads to having a better football team.”

With Henson running the offensive side of the ball, Kane takes over in 2026 as Purdue’s leader of the defense after he spent last season on the defensive staff at Minnesota. Before his stint at Minnesota, Kane was Purdue’s defensive coordinator for two seasons (2023-24) prior to Odom taking over as head coach. 

“The building is familiar, everything is familiar,” said Kane. “However, everything was new within the building. New players, coaches, everything… I feel like everyone is coming together right now… There are some new faces and some old faces, and hopefully I can bridge those two together.”

One of the new faces on Purdue’s defense, linebacker Jojo Hayden who played at Illinois from 2023-25, never played under Kane but was part of Kane's recruiting cycle during his final season with the Illini in 2022. Now, Hayden and Kane finally unite with the Boilermakers. 

“He’s going to push you,” said Hayden. “Him leading this defense is what we need because he’s going to get the effort out of us, and we all have to do our job. We all work for each other.”

A familiar face at Purdue, tight end George Burhenn, returns for his fourth season. Regarded as one of the more talented Boilermakers during his tenure, Burhenn has been limited to just 19 games in three seasons due to injuries. Despite the injuries, his connection with quarterback Ryan Browne has only grown over their years together. 

“We came in together when we were freshmen, so we’ve always had that connection,” said Burhenn. “We’ve been building that every year, and this is our fourth year here together, so I think it’s stronger than ever.”

Purdue will host its annual Fan Day on Saturday that will feature an open practice in Ross-Ade Stadium, starting at 8:15 a.m. ET followed by the Boilermakers signing autographs inside the Mollenkopf Athletic Center. Admission is free, with coffee and donuts provided, and fans can enter through Gate A and Gate EE starting at 8 a.m. ET.

 

 

 

 

 

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