Notre Dame vs Purdue: Boilermakers' Depth Chart Breakdown
- Brenden Duffy
- Sep 18
- 9 min read
Photo via Notre Dame Athletics
Notre Dame, now 0-2 for the first time since Marcus Freeman’s inaugural season, seeks to get back on track on Saturday afternoon against a 2-1 Purdue squad that is completely different from the one that the Irish beat up on in a 66-7 route last year.
Purdue enters week four already having surpassed their win total from a year ago. The Boilermakers picked up convincing wins against Ball State and Southern Illinois to open the year before falling 17-33 last week to USC in a game that featured a three-hour weather delay.
New Offensive Coordinator Josh Henson seems to be finding his groove through three games. Henson joined Head Coach Barry Odom’s staff with the opportunity to call plays after serving as USC’s OC last year, where Lincoln Riley called the shots. Previously, Henson served as an assistant on Odom’s staff during his Missouri tenure.
Through three contests, the Boilermakers' offense has averaged 391.3 total yards per game with 271.7 coming through the air. If there is a pause for concern in the young season, it would be their red zone success with scores on just 10 of 15 attempts, including three crucial interceptions that occurred last week.
Defensively, Purdue is led by their new HC Odom and DC Mike Scherer. Last year, the duo led a UNLV defense that finished first in the Mountain West against the run and 11th in the country in sacks.
So far this season, things have been much better defensively in West Lafayette after finishing near the bottom in every key defensive statistic a year ago. Purdue’s lack of ability to force a takeaway, considering they have played a MAC and FCS program, should be noted. However, their pass rush production has been good, averaging three sacks per game, while the Irish have managed one total through two games.
Offense:
Quarterback:
Ryan Browne - After seeing limited playing time behind Hudson Card last season, the sophomore won this fall’s QB competition despite an interesting offseason. Browne transferred to UNC following last year; however, after the Tar Heels landed Gio Lopez, the Michigan native decided to go back to West Lafayette. This season, the 6-4 signal-caller has completed 63.6% of his throws for 786 yards and five touchdowns. Ball security has been an issue, and it was apparent in crucial situations during last week’s loss. Against USC, Browne threw three interceptions in the red zone, one of which was returned for a pick-six. If you take away the pick-six and finish one of those drives, Purdue would be down just two points against a now-ranked squad. The sophomore finished last week completing 24/39 attempts for 305 yards and a touchdown, in addition to the three picks. USC was also able to sack the QB five times. Browne is not much of a threat on the ground, especially one week after playing Marcel Reed, but he has rushed for 59 yards and two touchdowns on 25 attempts. His rushing score against USC was interesting, to say the least, as it came as a result of a failed reverse pass.
Running Backs:
Devin Mockobee - The featured back and one of the top returning players from last year is the six-foot senior. Mockobee, who wears number 45 to represent the amount of touchdowns he had in high school, has rushed for 230 yards and three scores with a fumble on 58 carries this season. In week two, the senior rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries against Southern Illinois. Mockobee is a tough runner with 194 yards after contact and 14 missed tackles forced. Through the air, he has added 66 yards on four receptions across four targets. He can be dangerous in open space, but he lacks elite top-end speed. As a pass blocker, the 202-pound back did not have the best performance last week when he allowed two sacks and three QB pressures on just 11 block attempts. Notably, about 60% of Mockobee’s rushes go to the right, specifically outside behind the tackle.
Others to watch: Antonio Harris, Jaheim Merriweather
Receivers:
Michael Jackson III - Purdue’s starting slot-man is the former USC and Georgia transfer. Jackson leads the team in receptions with 14 for 149 yards and a touchdown. Across 17 targets, the six-foot, 205-pound weapon has just one drop. He has two solid performances in three weeks, recording six receptions for 72 yards and a score versus Ball State and then finishing with seven catches for 70 yards last week against USC. The senior is a short-yardage and yard-after-catch threat while also serving as the Boilermakers’ return man.
EJ Horton Jr. - The well-traveled senior enters Purdue at his fourth school following stints at Marshall, West Virginia, and Florida Atlantic. Notably, Horton missed the entire 2024 season at FAU due to injury. This season, the 6-1, 190-pound wideout has hauled in 10 catches for 125 yards. He recorded season-highs last week when he finished with five catches for 70 yards in the loss against USC. Horton has just one drop across 16 targets.
Nitro Tuggle - Another Georgia receiver transfer, the sophomore has left a troubled past in Athens for new beginnings in West Lafayette. Tuggle has recorded seven receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns this season. Last week, the 6-1 WR set season-highs with 69 yards on four catches including a score. Tuggle is, arguably, the Boilermakers’ top deep threat, but he has struggled with two drops on just 11 targets.
Arhmad Branch - Last week, the sophomore was limited after being poked in the eye during the rain-delayed contest. Branch enters this week with two touchdowns on seven catches and a team-leading 167 yards. In week one against Ball State, the six-foot wideout exploded for 101 yards, including a 49-yard score on just three catches. Branch is shifty and has been sure-handed so far with no drops across 11 targets.
Others to watch: Jesse Watson, Corey Smith
Tight Ends:
George Burhenn - Purdue’s receiving threat at tight end is the 6-5, 235-pound sophomore. Burhenn has seven receptions for 74 yards this season after being shut out in week one. He has one drop across nine targets. Burhenn serves much more as a receiving end compared to a blocking type.
Others to watch: Christian Moore, Christian Earls
Offensive Line:
LT Joey Tanona, LG Jalen St. John, C Bradyn Joiner, RG Ethan Trent, RT Bakyne Coly - Notre Dame’s pass rush needs a tune-up game, and it appears they will get it this weekend. Purdue’s pass-blocking group ranks among the worst in the country, with six sacks and 34 QB pressures allowed on 114 dropbacks. Joiner is the only starter to have allowed fewer than five pressures this year. This group is not much better with the run either. One highlight on this Boilermakers line is the return of former Irish OL, Joey Tanona. Despite never playing a down at Notre Dame following a brain injury suffered in a car accident on his first day of spring practice, Tanona’s return will mark a full-circle moment for the man who was once forced to medically retire. The Purdue LT completed his comeback to football last year as a reserve lineman with the Boilermakers and has now started the first three contests of this season.
Defense:
Interior Linemen:
Demeco Kennedy - The Boilermakers’ starting interior duo is a pair of sophomores who were high school teammates in Kentucky. Kennedy is a 6-2, 305-pound versatile defender, capable of lining up in different spots across the line. He has three tackles this season and recorded his first sack of the year last week against USC. Kennedy has one missed tackle. The well-rounded sophomore is solid against the run with one stop and decent against the pass with six pressures across 46 pass rushes.
Jamarrion Harkless - The larger of the two tackles is the 6-3, 345-pound sophomore. Harkless has five tackles and 1.5 sacks on the year. He recorded his 1.5 sacks and two of his tackles in week one against Ball State. Like Kennedy, Harkless is also a solid run-stopper with one stop. He is a decent pass rusher with three pressures across 34 attempts. The sophomore has not missed a tackle this season.
Others to watch: Josh Burney, Ian Jeffries
Edge Rushers:
CJ Madden - Purdue’s CJ duo off the edges starts with the 6-4, 275-pound former Georgia transfer. Madden has three tackles this year, all of which came against Ball State, and one miss. The junior has been decent against the run with one stop, but has struggled against the pass with just three pressures on 75 pass rush attempts.
CJ Nunnally IV - One of the top pass rushes on Purdue is the 6-3, 265-pound Akron transfer. Nunnally has four tackles and two sacks; both sacks occurred against Southern Illinois. The senior has seven pressures on 36 pass rushes. He has been solid against the run with one stop. While rare, Nunnally can drop back into coverage occasionally.
Others to watch: Breeon Ishmail
Linebackers:
Mani Powell - Another UNLV transfer, this interior backer has recorded 16 tackles, two for a loss, one sack, and a pass breakup through three games. Powell was everywhere in week one when he finished with five tackles, including a sack, but he also had three missed tackles, his only misses so far. Last week, the 6-2, 230-pounder had a season-high seven tackles and a pass breakup against USC. Powell has been good against the run, leading the Boilermakers with 10 stops. The senior has struggled in coverage, allowing three receptions for 68 yards across five targets. When called upon as a pass rusher, he has been solid with five pressures on 22 attempts.
Charles Correa - A Hawaiian native, this interior backer also comes with Coach Odom from UNLV. Correa, a 6-3, 230-pound sophomore, has a team-high 20 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and a pass breakup. Last week, he finished with a season-high 11 tackles and a sack, but did have three missed tackles in the loss to USC. Correa has four misses on the year. The sophomore has been decent in coverage, having allowed six catches for just 21 yards on eight targets. He is also decent against the run, with eight stops, but all of his missed tackles have come against the rush. Notably, on just 10 pass rush attempts, Correa has produced three pressures.
Alex Sanford Jr. - Purdue’s cover linebacker is the 6-1, 232-pound Arkansas transfer. Sanford has five tackles this season. He has been solid against the run with one stop. In coverage, the junior has not been targeted across 28 coverage snaps. Sanford can shift to slot corner when needed.
Defensive Backs:
Tahj Ra-El - The senior Memphis transfer comes to West Lafayette as one of Purdue’s starting safeties. Ra-El has 17 tackles, including one for a loss, through three games. The 6-2 S finished with seven tackles against both Ball State and Southern Illinois. He does have four missed tackles, including at least one in each game. Ra-El has been decent against the run with three stops, but this is also where three of his missed tackles have occurred. The senior has struggled in coverage, allowing four catches on seven targets for 92 yards. Look for the Irish pass offense to target this safety.
Tony Grimes - This 6’2 starting senior corner comes over from UNLV. Grimes has seven tackles, including a season-high of four which came last week. In general, the CB is solid in coverage, but he got burned by USC for 100 yards, including a 59-yard gain. In total, Grimes has allowed five catches for 119 yards on 11 targets. He has been solid against the run with three stops and one missed tackle.
Hudauri Hines - Arguably, the Boilermakers’ top cover-man is this 6-1 sophomore corner. Hines has 10 tackles and a team-high two pass breakups. He recorded a season-high five tackles and a pass breakup last week. The sophomore has allowed five catches for 67 yards on nine targets this season. Hines has two missed tackles, both of which came against the run, where he has not had any impact so far this year.
Myles Slusher - Another safety the Irish pass offense should target is the six-foot senior Colorado transfer. Slusher has 18 tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass breakup. Last week, he recorded a season-high 12 tackles and a pass breakup in the loss to USC. The senior did miss three tackles in the loss, bringing his season total to five. Against the run, Slusher has six tackles, including two stops, but does have three misses. In coverage, the senior has allowed six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. Slusher may come down to slot corner at times.
Others to watch: Smiley Bradford, Ryan Turner
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