WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue football still publicizes itself as having the "Den of Defensive Ends" but hasn't lived up to that moniker the past two seasons. Its best edge rushers transferred elsewhere, but defensive coordinator Kevin Kane believes the Boilermakers can earn back their reputation. Purdue will have to after losing its co-sack leaders Mani Powell and CJ Nunnally IV after both exhausted their eligibility. The staff restocked through the transfer portal and hopes its experienced returnees, namely CJ Madden, Trey Smith and Breeon Ishmail meet their potential. Right now, it's a carousel in terms of practice reps. Head coach Barry Odom said Monday four have separated from the pack before listing five individuals. Defensive ends coach Jake Trump isn't solidifying anything yet as the season opener draws closer. "I kind of say in my room, I have standards, not necessarily starters," Trump said. Anyone capable of producing will see the field, Trump said, which means it's not unfathomable that six or seven defensive ends could be in the rotation.
Purdue's defensive ends Who is back (2025 stats): CJ Madden, senior (16 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks); Landon Brooks, redshirt freshman; Trey Smith, junior (15 tackles, 1 sack); Finn Goodman, redshirt freshman; Mason Alnutt, redshirt freshman; Breeon Ishmail, junior (23 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack); Sam Goellner, sophomore New faces: Keyshawn Burgos, senior (58 career tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks in 41 games at Virginia Tech); Elo Modozie, senior 7 tackles at Georgia in 2025, 34 tackles, 8 TFL, 6.5 sacks at Army in 2024); Jeremy Lewis, junior (71 tackles, 21 TFL, 10.5 sacks in two saesons at Iowa Western); Katrell Webb, freshman; Max Carmicle, freshman; Aiden Solecki, freshman Can production match experience? Madden (Georgia), Smith (Illinois) and Ishmail (Michigan) all began their careers elsewhere and each played all 12 games at Purdue last season. They combined for 2.5 sacks. Trump said each has taken a leap, but the next step in their evolution must show up on game days. Ishmail is coming off his best showing since arriving at Purdue at last Saturday's scrimmage, Odom said. More: Ryan Browne is Purdue football's QB, but the position battle isn't over Kane, who was Purdue's defensive coordinator in 2023 and '24, replaces Mike Sherer in the role after a season at Minnesota. Kane gives defensive ends a lot of freedom to attack the backfield. The production from a year ago won't cut it if Purdue is to improve defensively.
Junior college jump Lewis had the talent, but not the grades, to be a Division I defensive end out of high school. He got that in order over two dominant seasons at Iowa Western Community College, where he won a national championship last season after compiling 15.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks and earning All-America honors. The leap from junior college to Big Ten will test his talent, but Lewis has been one who stood out throughout spring and fall camps with a lot of speed packed into a 6-foot-4, 260-pound frame. Who will play on game days? Surely the numbers Purdue coaches are promoting now will whittle down as the season progresses. For now, don't be surprised if six ends get a chance to showcase themselves early. One name to know is Modozie, who has impressed with a blend of speed and power since arriving from Georgia. Burgos brings experience from Virginia Tech and Lewis is a plug and play from the junior college ranks. Expect the returning trio of Smith, Madden and Ishmail to get opportunities to prove they've grown from last season. 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: Can production meet potential for Purdue football's defensive ends?