WEST LAFAYETTE — Barry Odom noted the importance of retention even as Purdue football was struggling through a 2-10 season.
If the first day of spring practice is any indication, Odom may be on to something.
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Jesse Watson, a redshirt sophomore receiver who had just eight receptions for 80 yards last season, was a bright spot against what appears to be a much improved Boilermaker secondary.
Watson, who had touchdown catches against Notre Dame and Ohio State a season ago, signed with Purdue out of East St. Louis in 2024 and played in just one game. A new coaching staff last season afforded Watson a chance to play special teams and see some reps with the offense.
Now in his third season in West Lafayette, he could be primed for a breakout year. Watson’s eight receptions and 80 yards are second among returning receivers behind Corey Smith, though three returnees missed most or all of last season.
“He’s got great quickness and he understands now, after a year in the system, the route concepts, if it’s side adjust on some of the man things to be able to sit down and find open area in zones and I think again, the retention, being able to keep him, we’re going to see a better Jesse Watson,” Odom said. “He’s worked extremely hard and I am excited about what he’s done the last couple months.”
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More takeaways from Tuesday’s first spring practice on Purdue’s offense:
George Burhenn returns to form for Purdue football
The Boilermakers have had a recent successful run of tight ends from Max Klare to Garrett Miller to Payne Durham and beyond. George Burhenn was supposed to be the latest club addition.
When healthy, Burhenn has showcased his worth, but the injury bug hasn’t been kind to the former Indiana state champion in both football and as a hurdler with the Mt. Vernon track and field team. Burhenn has played just eight games the past two seasons. A broken foot limited him in the 2024 season after a five-catch, 74-yard day with a touchdown against rival Indiana to close the 2023 season.
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“He’s a big athlete, 245 pounds, can run and catch, can block at the point of attack,” Odom said. “We saw it early last year. We lost him obviously. We’ve got to keep him healthy and find a way to do that. If we can do that, he will be an elite player.”
Burhenn recovered from a leg injury suffered last spring in time to play in the 2025 season, only for an arm injury to cut his season after four games. He was a full go on Tuesday.
“I think George is an unbelievable player,” quarterback Ryan Browne said. “Who is going to cover him? Safeties, he’s got the size on them. Linebackers, he’s faster than them, so he creates a lot of matchups that are difficult for defenses.”
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Newcomer’s newborn causes missed first practice
Ethan Trent took most of the reps at center on Tuesday. The reason? Boaz Stanley, a transfer from South Carolina, missed Tuesday’s opening practice after his wife gave birth. Stanley did participate in team meetings Tuesday before returning to the hospital.
Stanley, who started nine games at South Carolina, figures to factor in with Purdue’s offensive line. Marc Nave Jr. and Marques Easley, who both transferred to Purdue last season from SEC programs, saw guard reps with Purdue’s first unit while Joey Tanona, the returning starting left tackle, USC transfer Makai Saina, South Carolina transfer Jatavius Shivers and returnee Jude McCoskey all rotated at tackle spots with the first unit.
Tanona had offseason surgery and participated in walkthroughs, but has not been cleared for contact.
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“They already are communicating at a really good pace, which we need,” Odom said of Purdue’s offensive line.
Junior running back Antonio Harris, right, grabs the ball from a coach while freshman running back Izaiah Wright, center, and sophomore running back Carter Holsworth watch the drill on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at The Mollenkopf Athletic Center in West Lafayette, Ind. In the 2025 season Harris appeared in all 12 games with two starts and recorded 69 rushes for 305 yards and two touchdowns.
Pass catching must improve
While Watson was a playmaker, and newcomer Asaad Waseem made some highlight reel catches, there were more drops than desired, even for day one. That was an issue for Purdue’s offense last season and an area of needed improvement.
Not to be too critical. Again, it’s the first day, and timing isn’t fine tuned despite quarterbacks and receivers throwing routes beginning in January. Adding defenders provided a new obstacle. An upgraded line, a re-stocked running back room and packaging Burhenn and newcomer Kylan Fox at tight end will help an offense that had more issues than just dropped passes. But the dropped passes have to be shored up or improvements elsewhere won’t matter as much.
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Purdue found a punter
There was a resounding double boom early during Tuesday’s practice.
The first was off the foot of Buffalo transfer punter Dylan Drennan. The second was when his boots ricocheted off the beams atop Mollenkopf Athletic Complex.
After losing Jack McCallister after last season, Purdue brought in the former All-MAC punter to the Big Ten.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football offensive takeaways from first spring practice
