08-05-2025
Purdue football's defensive line makeover continues with a Canadian transfer
Purdue football again dipped below the FBS level to bolster its trenches via the transfer portal.
Elijah St. John, defensive tackle from FCS program Long Island University, committed to the Boilermakers on Thursday. The Canadian native retains three seasons of eligibility after a highly productive freshman season at that level.
St. John collected 40 tackles with one sack and two forced fumbles while starting all 12 games. The 6-foot-1, 275-pound alum of Clearwater (Florida) Academy International turned himself into a transfer portal prospect after going unranked in the 247Sports national composite for the 2023 class.
Purdue portal tracker: Who's in, who's out for 2025 Boilers
St. John became the sixth incoming transfer either at defensive tackle or edge rusher. Others added from outside the FBS umbrella include Fort Valley State's Josh Burney and Monmouth's Miles Mitchell.
He joins offensive lineman Giordano Vaccaro as Canadians who came to the Boilermakers via Clearwater Academy International.
