WEST LAFAYETTE − Barry Odom’s desire to build up the defense came with the decision to hire two coaches focused on the defensive front.
To lead the interior defensive line, Purdue football brought in a former defensive coordinator Kelvin Green, who operated the Delta State defense before joining the staff at Arkansas, where he initially linked up to work for Odom.
The biggest blow to the position group was losing Cole Brevard to Texas.
The Boilermakers do return seven interior defensive linemen and has flexibility with some edge rushers acquired through the transfer portal.
What does Green like about this position group?
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3 questions with Purdue football defensive line coach Kelvin Green
Q: You have experience as a defensive coordinator at Delta State. How does that help you be a better coach when you can just hone in on the defensive line, but also understand the stresses of being a coordinator?
A: It should make you a better position coach. It should make you a better overall coach. Working under coach (defensive coordinator Mike) Scherer and being able to help wherever I can, but also knowing the stress that falls on him and trying to make sure I alleviate any of those pressures by making sure your position is doing what it’s supposed to do. It allows me to see it from all views. It’s not just a D-tackle or a D-line thing. It’s a big picture, like now we are putting all this together.
Q: Has anyone set themselves apart on the defensive line in offseason workouts?
A: I don’t want to say anyone has jumped out to me just yet. A lot of things are going to be proven on that field more than anything else. It’s good to see them pushing weights and good to see them running and all that, but that tell is going to be when they get on the field.
Q: How do you feel about the depth on Purdue’s defensive line right now?
A: We have some depth. We have some guys, but it’s yet to be seen what guys can do. We watched all the tape on the guys prior but you still have to see it yourself and see it on the field. It’s a wait and see approach right now. We’ve got to see what these guys can do in the spring.
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: 3 questions with Purdue football defensive line coach Kelvin Green
