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Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Experts align on Purdue's starting quarterback: Who will it be, expectations, what's the future?
One quarterback chose Purdue football in the transfer portal only after leaving to study under six-time Super Bowl champion coach Bill Belichick at his new digs at North Carolina. Three other quarterbacks had transferred, one leaving the Boilermakers after spring practice, and those remaining will compete for the starting quarterback job in Barry Odom's first year as Purdue coach. An offense that was seventh-worst in yardage last season has plenty of room to improve. And quarterback play will be a key element. So, who emerges to take the first snaps? That battle begins Thursday and will run to Aug. 30 when Purdue hosts Ball State. IndyStar Purdue insider Nathan Baird and Courier-Journal reporter Sam King huddled with IndyStar assistant sports editor Aaron Ferguson to discuss Purdue's quarterback situation. Here is their conversation. Ferguson: Which quarterback will take the first snap of the Barry Odom era, and why do you think he will win? King: Ryan Browne. That nobody stood out enough to own the position throughout spring camp probably played a part in Browne's return to Purdue after a spring under the tutelage of Bill Belichick. He has dual threat ability and, though he doesn't have a ton of games under his belt, he's played meaningful reps at quarterback in the Big Ten over the past two seasons. However, this is a competition that still may not be settled when someone steps behind center against Ball State on Aug. 30. Baird: I agree Browne seems the likeliest candidate. I would not rule out Bennett Meredith, who held his own against the wave of transfers who came in before the spring. The best case scenario, though, would be Purdue having the opportunity to give two or more contenders a lot of reps in those first two games against Ball State and Southern Illinois. It needs multiple starting-caliber Big Ten quarterbacks and, frankly, it starts preseason camp uncertain whether it has one. If this competition must extend into the season, so be it. In the context of where this program wants to be long-term, the question of who takes the first snap is almost academic. The crucial question is does Purdue have the correct QB in place for a winnable span of games in mid-October? Boiler homecoming: Why this quarterback left Purdue football for Bill Belichick, and returns to 'home for me' Ferguson: Purdue's offense was seventh worst nationally in total offense, somehow ahead of two Big Ten teams, not even gaining 300 yards per game. Most of that had to come through the air due to large deficits the Boilers faced. Obviously quarterback plays a central role in the offense but what can we expect in terms of what this offense looks like? Baird: This team wants to establish the run. It has an offensive coordinator, Josh Henson, with a background on the offensive line. It has a reliable veteran running back in Devin Mockobee. All of its quarterbacks add some running ability. Maybe most importantly, its offensive line has some upside. Jalen St. John was a second team All-Mountain West tackle but may play guard. Giordano Vaccaro was a star in Canada and is in line to succeed Gus Hartwig at center. I don't know how explosive this offense will be, but if it can control the line of scrimmage it will give itself a chance. King: Barry Odom admitted at Big Ten media days that he wanted to know how many yards away Mockobee is from Mike Alstott's Purdue career rushing record. Like Nathan said, the transfer portal included major upgrades on the offensive line, which was a liability at some spots and a reason Purdue struggled offensively. Only six Purdue players have rushed for 1,000 yards in a single season. If Mockobee gets close, that will be a positive sign for the offense, which also appears to have significantly improved its receiving corps. Henson is getting his crack at play calling and I'd expect it to be pretty balanced in competitive games. Purdue didn't have many competitive games a year ago, which dictated what it had to attempt to do offensively. Insider mailbag: What will Purdue's offense look like? What's next for Boilers basketball? Ferguson: I know the nature of this conversation is about this fall, but it's hard not to look ahead as Barry Odom tries to build a program. Does the commitment of Corin Berry at QB show what he's looking for at that position, or is that reading too much into it? And the second prong of this thought would be, is there a quarterback on the 2025 roster who could take the reins into 2026 or will the position again need to be addressed? King: Any coach who isn't trying to recruit the best players is doing a disservice to the program regardless of who may or may not be returning. Odom has said previously he wants Purdue to recruit high school talent and develop from within. Given the situation he came into, a complete roster overhaul was necessary. Among the portal pulls were two young quarterbacks who began their careers elsewhere. I'm sure QB coach Darin Hinshaw would love to see Evans Chuba and Malachi Singleton elevate into starting caliber quarterbacks beyond 2025, much like he would returnee Browne and freshman Garyt Odom. Right now there are too many unknowns to pin down a potential long-term quarterback. Baird: All of the quarterbacks on the roster could conceivably be the long-term QB of the future. All also have some mobility, which Odom said is one of the attributes they seek when recruiting that position. We know Purdue has a plethora of young options. We have no idea if it has an answer. This season will be a 12-week proving ground to come up with that solution. Or, Berry and whoever transfers in restart the competition again next spring. Insider: How Barry Odom established Purdue football recruiting base, priorities after 1,800 mile move Ferguson: The way college football rosters have been constructed of late, I don't know that the 2026 QB is on the roster. However, we do know who is for this season. And, since both are in agreement on Browne, what are expectations for him this season? Baird: He is the most experienced option on the roster. He also created a tangible spark last season — at least for one game. He says his time at North Carolina was valuable and he learned a lot from being in meetings with Belichick. What we saw against Illinois was how much his legs could make a difference in the passing game. They had to respect him as a rushing threat, and even novice offensive play caller Ryan Browne could scheme up big vertical passing plays against those coverages. Browne should benefit from a more sophisticated approach, but he also needs some leeway. He was not yet ready to seize the starting job with a wide-open opportunity last season. He may be a better October and November talent than he looks to start the season. King: While Browne is the most experienced and, likely, the most suitable option to at least open camp as QB1, he is the least experienced with this coaching staff. Chuba, Singleton, Meredith and Odom all went through spring. Expectations are hard to place, but like Nathan said, we've seen Browne's ability to make plays. He did it two years ago at Northwestern and last season at Illinois. The Oregon game didn't fall fully on his shoulders, but last season the Ducks made Browne look pedestrian just six days after his performance against the Illini. It was always Hudson Card's job last season once he got healthy. If Browne earns the starting role, I think we'll see some dashes of brilliance but I'd temper expectations.
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Claire Larrison led Greensburg to state finals last season, now prepares for expanded role
Claire Larrison's expanded responsibilities and heightened expectations were officially set when the final horn sounded on last year's IHSAA girls basketball Class 3A state championship game vs. Norwell. The 2027 forward/wing led state runner-up Greensburg in points (16.5 per game), rebounds (7.7) and steals (2.1), and ranked second in assists (3.4). And with starters Mylie Wilkison and Leah West set to graduate, the Pirates' continued success would (will) hinge largely on the 5-10 Larrison's ability to maintain that production, despite increased attention from opposing defenses. So she has spent the past few months preparing accordingly. A 61% shooter from the field and 46% from 3, Larrison worked to hasten the release on her shot and focused on being more aggressive offensively (63-for-91, 69% at the line), while also adding strength so she's better equipped to handle abuse from opposing defenses and hold her own on the glass. Larrison's offensive versatility commands attention, but she embraces the opportunity to defend and dialed in this summer on improving her ability to guard players of all sizes — a necessary next-step in her progression, especially within the framework of a Greensburg defense that averaged 11.6 steals and limited opponents to 37.9 points per game. "Defense is the most important thing on the court, so I've been listening to how my coaches have been helping me adjust and working my hardest on that," Larrison said. "Leah, Mylie and Emma (McQueen) were huge parts of our team, so I'm really going to have to step up (and) be more aggressive and more of a more vocal leader," she later added. "So I've been working a lot, getting in the gym whenever I can and training whenever I can. I'm hoping I'll be able to fill all that whenever the school season comes." Larrison made a splash at the IBCA Showcase in June, going for 32 points and 14 rebounds against nationally ranked 2026 prospect Lola Lampley and 4A powerhouse Lawrence Central, and helped the Pirates overcome the absence of 2026 point guard Mary Harmon to compete with the likes of Hamilton Southeastern and Plainfield. Larrison has gained traction on the recruiting trail, as well. She already held offers from Marian and Indiana Wesleyan, and has since added Division I offers from Ball State, Evansville, Bradley and Oakland. "It's been stressful at times, but I'm just soaking it all in," said Larrison, who's taken visits to Ball State and Bradley and plans on taking more visits during the school year. "I'm enjoying my time and as the time gets closer, I'll hopefully be ready to make the right decisions. But it's been good so far."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ball State football: QB Kiael Kelly and DT Darin Conley interview at MAC media day
Ball State football QB Kiael Kelly and DT Darin Conley interview with The Star Press at MAC Football Kickoff media day.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ball State football: Head coach Mike Uremovich interview at MAC media day
Ball State football head coach Mike Uremovich interviews with The Star Press at MAC Football Kickoff media day in Detroit.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the best quarterbacks that Auburn will face during the 2025 season
Auburn will be tasked with slowing down a heap of great quarterbacks in 2025. The 2025 season is quickly approaching, which means it is a great time to scout every quarterback that the Auburn Tigers are slated to face this season. Auburn will head to Baylor to open the 2025 season on Aug. 29 for a game that is sure to excite those who love great passing games. The Tigers will face Ball State and South Alabama before opening SEC play at Oklahoma, then Texas A&M, to close the September portion of the schedule. Auburn will also face a College Football Playoff participant in Georgia, as well as arch rival Alabama at home this season, with games against Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Arkansas mixed in. The docket of quarterbacks Auburn is slated to face is a great mix of experienced quarterbacks and those aiming to make a name for themselves as transfers or being first-year starters. Auburn's defensive backfield will be experienced and ready to slow down each team's passing game every week. Ahead of the 2025 season, here is a look at every quarterback Auburn is slated to face this season, ranked No. 12 to No. 1. No. 12 Kaiel Kelly, Ball State Cardinals The first player on our list has had a strange, yet eventful college career to say the least. Ball State's Kiael Kelly began his career as a defensive back at Ball State in 2022 before making the move to offense, where he has played quarterback and wide receiver. He started in seven of 11 games in 2023 at quarterback, where he passed for 577 yards and two touchdowns while adding 724 yards and seven scores on the ground. He caught three passes for 10 yards as a receiver last season. There is zero doubt that Kelly will be a major player in Ball State's offense when the Cardinals visit Auburn on Sept. 6, but will it be at quarterback? No. 11 DJ Smith, Mercer Bears Smith started seven games for Mercer in 2024 and returns as the eldest quarterback on the roster. The JUCO product completed 74% of his passes last season for 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 152 yards and four touchdowns. He has zero issue slinging the ball as he passed for over 200-yards in four games last season, with his best game coming in his Mercer debut against Presbyterian, where he passed for 320 yards and three scores. Smith joins Kelly from Ball State in being a quality dual-threat quarterback, and will definitely not be the last on our list. Smith will lead the Mercer Bears into Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 22 as an appetizer for Thanksgiving Day, as well as the Iron Bowl. No. 10 Beau Pribula, Missouri Tigers Missouri will replace several offensive threats this season, including quarterback Brady Cook. In steps Drew Pribula, a former three-star quarterback who spent his first two seasons at Penn State. Pribula attempted just 56 passes in Happy Valley, but was solid in short-to-medium depth situations by completing 18-of-21 passes from depths between 0 and 19 yards for 229 yards and five touchdowns. Pribula has a great arm, and he hopes that he will be meshed well with his offensive line before leading his Tigers into Auburn on Oct. 18. No. 9 Zach Pyron, South Alabama Jaguars The former Fyffe Red Devil and Pinson Valley Indian will lead South Alabama into Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 13. Pyron showcased his dual-threat ability in three seasons at Georgia Tech by passing for 995 yards and rushing for 271 yards. After briefly transferring to Minnesota for spring practice, he elected to come back to his home state to play for Major Applewhite and the South Alabama Jaguars. Pyron was a phenomenal quarterback in our state as a high school player, and will look to find similar success at South Alabama this season. No. 8 Ty Simpson, Alabama Crimson Tide There's a new sheriff in Tuscaloosa as Ty Simpson will take over for Jalen Milroe as the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He is the poster child for "waiting it out" as he is set to take over the offense in his fourth season with the Tide. In three seasons, he has completed 51 passes for 381 yards and zero touchdowns. He has thrown just one "turnover worthy pass" according to Pro Football Focus, and his receivers have dropped seven of his passes. He is unproven, but his story could change before the Iron Bowl, which is slated for Nov. 29 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. No. 7 Gunner Stockton, Georgia Bulldogs Gunner Stockton got his feet wet in the College Football Playoffs last season when the Georgia Bulldogs faced Notre Dame in the quarterfinals. Stockton takes over for Carson Beck, who left Athens during the offseason to transfer to Miami, and the Rabun County, Georgia native is ready to take over his home-state team. He holds a 68.7% completion percentage and 124 rushing yards over the last two seasons as a back-up to Beck. Stockton will lead Georgia into Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, in a game slated for prime time. No. 6 Marcel Reed, Texas A&M Aggies The line is officially drawn between inexperienced, unproven quarterbacks and quarterbacks and quarterbacks with at least one year of starting service. Reed returns to Texas A&M after starting eight games for the Aggies last season, splitting time with Conner Weigman, who is now a Houston Cougar. Reed passed for 1,864 yards last season and rushed for an additional 543 yards with 22 total scores. His dual-threat ability will create havoc for SEC foes all season long, and will test the likes of Keldric Faulk and the Tigers' defense in College Station on Sept. 27 No. 5 Zach Calzada, Kentucky Wildcats An old friend will visit Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 1 when Zach Calzada leads the Kentucky Wildcats into Auburn. Calzada suited up briefly for the Tigers during the 2022 season, but never saw the field due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. He would enter the transfer portal following the 2022 season, where he eventually ended up at FCS Incarnate Word. Calzada bounced back by passing for 6,342 yards and 54 touchdowns in two seasons at Incarnate Word, he also broke out his run game by rushing for 332 yards in 2024. Expect Calzada to be extra motivated to face his former team in November. No. 4 Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt Commodores Diego Pavia led Vanderbilt to the Birmingham Bowl last season and is poised to beat Hugh Freeze for the fourth straight season in 2025. Pavia passed for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns for the second-straight season, and cut down on his interceptions by throwing just four, and tossing just seven "turnover worthy passes." His great decision-making, mixed in with his run game, has haunted Auburn over the last two seasons, and the Tigers will look to end his good fortune on Nov. 8 in Nashville. No. 3 Sawyer Robertson, Baylor Bears Former Mississippi State quarterback Sawyer Robertson passed for 3,058 yards last season in his first full year as Baylor's starting quarterback and is going to be the core of Baylor's air raid system yet again this season. Auburn's defensive backfield will be the most experienced unit on the field, but will be tested greatly in week one with Baylor's aerial attack on Aug. 29 in Waco. No. 2 Taylen Green, Arkansas Razorbacks Taylen Green will be another great passer that Auburn will be tasked with slowing down this season. Green threw for over 3,154 yards and 15 touchdowns last season while showcasing his running game that he developed at Boise State by pounding out 602 yards. Green is the highest-graded offensive quarterback that Auburn will face this season, and they will look to slow him down on Oct. 25 in Fayetteville. No. 1 John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners Out is Jackson Arnold/Michael Hawkins, in steps John Mateer. Mateer transferred to Oklahoma from Washington State, joining his offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle. Mateer, like Pavia, is a great decision-maker. Last season at Washington State, Mateer threw just 16 turnover-worthy passes in 348 attempts, throwing seven interceptions to 29 touchdowns. He also added 1,008 yards on the ground. If Oklahoma corrects the issues that plagued Arnold last season, Mateer could end the season as a Heisman-trophy finalist. Mateer and the Oklahoma Sooners will welcome Auburn to town on Sept. 20, which will be the SEC opener for Auburn. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. 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