Can Purdue's Struggling Defense Slow CJ Carr and Notre Dame?
Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Notre Dame’s offense has an opportunity for a field day on Saturday against a Purdue Boilermakers defense that allowed 645 total yards last week, their most given up in a game since 2012.
Purdue Results (1-2)
44-19 win vs Indiana State
36-38 2OT loss vs Wake Forest
38-52 loss at UCLA
Just three games into the 2026 season, Purdue fans are calling for change on the defensive side of the ball. Specifically, they are encouraging a playcalling change from Defensive Coordinator Kevin Kane to Head Coach Barry Odom. As of now, it is expected that Kane will be calling the defense on Saturday against Notre Dame. After playing LB at Kansas from 2002-05, Kane has had stints as DC at Northern Illinois (2016-17), SMU (2018-20), and Purdue (2023-24). Last season, Kane left Purdue to become Minnesota’s OLB and Nickels Coach but has since returned to West Lafayette as the Boilermakers DC and LB Coach.
The upset Purdue fans have good reason for their discouragement considering they currently rank last in the Big Ten in points allowed per game (36.33), total yards per game allowed (446.7), total yards per play allowed (6.9), rushing yards per game allowed (207), yards per carry allowed (5.5), and opponent third down conversion rate (54.1%). Additionally, the Boilermakers defense is just one of ten units in the country with one or fewer forced turnovers. Finally, the Purdue passing defense is allowing a modest 239.7 yards per game, with their one interception marking the team’s lone takeaway through three games.
As for the Notre Dame offense, Saturday will mark a test for the rushing attack that has struggled to open 2026, averaging just 130 yards per game. This season, RBs Nolan James Jr. and Aneyas Williams have combined for 313 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. It appears James is taking control of the RB1 position, but the floor is open for Williams to have a big game against this lackluster Boilermakers rushing defense.
The Irish enter Saturday averaging 40 points and 407.7 total yards per game, led by QB CJ Carr and the passing attack. They are averaging 277.7 passing yards per game with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Notre Dame is just one of six teams with no turnovers in 2026. As for Carr, he brings a 72.6% completion rate with six touchdowns and no interceptions into West Lafayette this weekend. It could be another big day for WR Micah Gilbert, who is up to 13 catches for 251 yards and a touchdown on the year following his breakout performance last week.
Now, we take a look at Purdue’s defensive personnel by position group ahead of this year’s edition of the Battle for the Shillelagh Trophy:
EDGEs
Keyshawn Burgos
One of the few players who have looked solid through three games on this Purdue defense is Virginia Tech (VA Tech) transfer, Keyshawn Burgos. The 6-5, 285-pound senior is in his first year with the Boilermakers following four years at VA Tech.
Burgos originally committed to the Hokies as a three-star recruit from Chesterfield, VA. During his time at VA Tech, the EDGE appeared in 41 games, including ten starts. He finished his Hokies career with 58 tackles, seven TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Last season, Burgos opted to redshirt the year after making four tackles in four games played.
Through three games with the Boilermakers, Burgos has recorded six tackles and one PBU. He came up with a season-high of three tackles in the loss against Wake Forest. The senior has been good against the run and can generate pressure, but is more of a natural complementary pass rusher. He has tallied two QB hurries this season, so the next step in his game is turning these into sacks.
Jeremy Lewis
Purdue’s standout EDGE through three games has been Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) transfer, Jeremy Lewis. The 6-4, 260-pound junior is in his first season at Purdue following two years at IWCC.
The Saint Louis native appeared in 24 games over the last two years at IWCC. During this time, he racked up 71 tackles, 21 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, one interception, and four blocked kicks. Last season, Lewis helped IWCC win the NJCAA DI National Championship as he was named a second-team All-American.
Now at Purdue, Lewis has tallied nine tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks through three games as a Boilermaker. He recorded a season-high five tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in week two against Wake Forest.
Lewis looks to have transitioned well as a pass rusher in three games against increased competition. He possesses good size but still needs to prove he can consistently produce every down. Lewis was a part of a group that got exposed last week as he came up with two tackles while allowing 369 rushing yards.
Others to watch: Trey Smith, Breeon Ishmail, Elo Modozie (could make his season debut this week after dealing with an injury)
Interior Linemen
Curt Neal
Another starting DL in his first season at Purdue is this 6-0, 301-pound senior. The Cornelius, North Carolina native has spent previous seasons at Wisconsin and Illinois.
Neal committed to Wisconsin out of high school as a four-star recruit. He spent three years in Madison, making 13 starts in 29 appearances. He finished his Badgers tenure with 45 tackles and 4.5 TFLs after redshirting and playing in four games in 2022.
Last season, Neal entered the portal and transferred to Illinois for the 2025 campaign. He recorded 16 tackles and two PBUs across 12 games played, including eight starts.
Through three games at his third Big Ten program, Neal has tallied seven tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and an assisted sack. He finished the Wake Forest and UCLA games with a season-high three tackles in each contest.
Obviously, Neal brings valuable prior Big Ten experience to this Purdue DL. He should remain a strong presence against the run despite last week’s struggles. The senior is capable of creating interior pass rush pressure but has not been consistent enough this season.
Ian Jeffries
Next to Neal will likely be Ian Jeffries. The 6-4, 303-pound junior is in his second season at Purdue as a former Arkansas State transfer.
The Southaven, Mississippi native committed to Arkansas State out of high school as a three-star recruit. Jeffries appeared in 16 games, making eight starts, across two years with the Red Wolves. During this time, he recorded 21 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble after redshirting and appearing in just three games in 2023.
Last season, Jeffries transferred to Purdue, where he appeared in 12 games, including six starts. He finished his Boilermakers debut season with 20 tackles, three TFLs, and one sack. He did not record any stats against Notre Dame last year.
Jeffries enters Saturday’s matchup with six tackles, two TFLs, and one sack on the year. He flashed in week one against Indiana State with four tackles, two TFLs, and one sack in the season-opening win.
The junior DL has shown solid interior pass rush ability but did struggle last week. Jeffries plays with good size and physicality, but he appears to still be developing his overall game.
Others to watch: Rodney Lora
Linebackers
Charles Correa
The first Purdue Linebacker to highlight is this 6-3, 230-pound junior in his second year with the Boilermakers. Correa, a native of Kuli’ou’ou, Hawaii, came over to Purdue last season following one year at UNLV.
Correa made 16 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one forced fumble, and one PBU in 14 games played (2 starts) in his one year at UNLV.
Last season, Correa transferred to Purdue and was a legit contributor while starting all 12 games played. He finished the season with 96 tackles, a team-high 7.5 TFLs, three sacks, and two PBUs. The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention tied his season-low of three tackles against Notre Dame last season.
Correa is again flashing as a productive tackler this season, with 21 tackles and four PBUs through three games. He finished Purdue’s week two loss against Wake Forest with a season-high 12 tackles. The junior enters Saturday’s matchup with six career double-digit tackle games. The experienced starter has been limited in terms of splash plays this season, just a year after leading the team in TFLs. Correa can also struggle in coverage.
Jojo Hayden
Another Illinois transfer, Hayden should be starting next to Correa on Saturday. The 6-2, 245-pound LB originally committed to the Illini as a four-star recruit out of East St. Louis, IL.
At Illinois, Hayden recorded 34 tackles, two TFLs, and one fumble recovery in 22 games played across three years in Champaign. Notably, he did not play and redshirted in 2023.
Hayden has flashed this season through his first few games as a Boilermaker with 17 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. He set season-highs against Wake Forest when he finished the loss with 11 tackles, including one for a loss.
Like Correa, Hayden is another productive tackling LB. The Illinois native possesses good size, frame, and physicality. He did struggle in last week’s road loss and can struggle in coverage, especially this season.
Defensive Backs
CB Hudauri Hines
One of Purdue's starting corners is this 6-1, 201-pound junior. Hines is in his third year at Purdue after committing to the Boilermakers as a three-star recruit out of Indianapolis.
Hines entered 2026 with 38 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, eight PBUs, and one interception across 19 games played, including 11 starts. He recorded three tackles in last year’s meeting with Notre Dame.
This season, Hines has tallied five tackles, including at least one in each game. His presence marks a returning starter with valuable experience. He has flashed good ball skills in the past, leading the team in PBUs in 2025, but has failed to display this aspect thus far in 2026. Hines possesses good size, featuring an impressive mix of length and physicality. The junior could be someone Notre Dame picks on, as coverage was a bit of an issue last season when he allowed 21.9 yards per reception and 9.2 yards after the catch when targeted.
S John Slaughter
Starting at one of the safety spots will likely be John Slaughter. The 6-2, 210-pound senior is in his first year at Purdue as a former Tennessee and Colorado transfer.
Slaughter committed to Tennessee out of high school as a three-star recruit. The Clarksdale, Mississippi native spent two years with the Volunteers, appearing in 23 games. He was able to come up with six tackles and one interception in his limited playing time with the Vols.
Last season, Slaughter transferred to Colorado, where he made three starts while appearing in 11 games. He finished his lone season with the Buffaloes with 25 tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions.
Through three games as a Boilermaker, Slaughter is already up to 22 tackles. He had a season-high of 11 tackles in last week’s loss at UCLA. Obviously, the senior is a productive tackler. He has been great against the run, exhibiting good physicality. Slaughter possesses good size and frame; however, his coverage impact has been questionable this year with no passes defended yet.
CB Don Saunders
The owner of Purdue’s only takeaway this season came courtesy of Don Saunders. The well-traveled CB is in his first season with the Boilermakers following stints at Cal Poly, Texas A&M, and Utah.
A native of San Diego, Saunders committed to Cal Poly out of high school, where he spent two years. The DB recorded 26 tackles, 15 PBUs, and five interceptions across 18 games played, including 11 starts, during his Cal Poly career. Notably, he was named to the 2022 All-Big Sky Second Team.
Saunders would transfer to Texas A&M in 2024 for one redshirt season. He appeared in two games and made two tackles with the Aggies before transferring to Utah in 2025. Last season, the 6-4, 201-pound corner tallied seven tackles and two PBUs across eight games played with the Utes.
The senior transfer is off to a much more productive start at his fourth program compared to his previous two stops. Saunders brings 21 tackles and a pick-six into Saturday’s meeting. He came up with the pick-six against Indiana State, and then recorded a season-high 11 tackles last week against UCLA.
As mentioned, Saunders has showcased good production through these first three games. His week one pick-six marked Purdue’s first since 2022. However, he has struggled in coverage this season with four completions allowed on five targets, including a 43-yard reception. There is room for growth as Saunders has elite size and length, and he was solid in coverage last season at Utah.
Nickel Smiley Bradford
Likely starting at the nickel position will be Smiley Bradford. The 6-0, 200-pound junior is in his third year at Purdue after originally committing to the Boilermakers as a three-star recruit out of high school.
Prior to the 2026 season, Bradford had made 47 tackles, five TFLs, six PBUs, and one interception in 17 games played, including five starts. The DB recorded four tackles against Notre Dame last year.
So far this season, Bradford has 10 tackles. The St. Louis native is a good tackler and plays with good physicality. He has not been very productive in coverage this season, but he was solid in 2025. Additionally, the junior has struggled against the run this year despite this being a strength of his in the past.
S Jaden Mangham
The final player to highlight on the Purdue defense is Safety Jaden Mangham. The 6-2, 210-pound senior is in his first season with the Boilermakers as a former Michigan State and Michigan transfer.
Mangham committed to Michigan State as a four-star recruit out of high school. He flashed during his two years with the Spartans, totaling 73 tackles, one TFL, one fumble recovery, three PBUs, and four interceptions across 19 games played, including 12 starts. He was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2023.
Mangham would transfer to the rival Michigan Wolverines in 2024. In ‘24, the DB redshirted after appearing in just one game and failing to record any stats. Last season, he was able to make his mark with 30 tackles, two TFLs, and two PBUs in 13 games played, including five starts.
Through three games at his third Big Ten program, Mangham has 14 tackles and one PBU. He recorded a season-high six tackles and a PBU last week against UCLA.
Mangham provides valuable, previous Big Ten experience to the Purdue DB room. He is a good tackler and has competent size for the position. The senior also has a good history of ball skills, but this has not flashed as much yet in 2026.
Others to watch: S Justin Denson Jr., CB Mister Clark (injury; likely game-time decision after missing last week)
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