[2024] Purdue Tight End Room Breakdown

[BabaYaga]

We now dive into the Purdue tight end room and it has some potential and a definite path for the next five years. Purdue is fairly old in the tight end room but do have a bit of youth on hand as well. This is a room that only will be playing one player a game and there are a ton of very similar pieces here to mix and match. Below, we will take a look at who could be in line to start as we head into the spring, the projected starters right now, and a look at the depth that Purdue has in the room. Purdue has six TE's on the roster and two of them are blue chip prospects. Only one of the blue chips are an underclassman.

Returning Players
Nicholas Roos - 2* SR - C+
Chase Turner - 2* (JR) - B-
Rich Wynns - 4* JR - B-
Kevin Leach - 2* JR - C
James Smith - 3* (SO) - B-

Incoming Players
Gregg Malloy - 4* FR - C

2023 Season Stats
Roos - 9 catches, 61 yards, TD

Purdue TE Room Breakdown

Projected starter: Rich Wynns - Wynns looks to be the presumed starter this season as an upperclass blue chip player but this battle might come down to how the tight end room looks in the spring. Wynns is the most athletic of the bunch but does have a tendency to drop passes. Wynns needs to take the job and run with it this season.

One to Watch: James Smith - Smith, the sophomore three star, might be a candidate for the job over the four upperclassmen in the room. He is a good route runner and has good hands but it just a bit more lumbering than the other options. If Smith comes out and impresses, he might get the nod to start.

Darkhorse: Nicholas Roos - Roos was the backup in the room last season and was able to score a touchdown and grab a few passes. He is a solid blocker and has shown the ability to grab some passes. If Purdue wants to run the ball a bit more this year, look for Roos to potentially get the nod.

Redshirt Candidate: Gregg Malloy - Malloy looks to be the tight end of the future starting in 2026 and the Boilermakers will likely want to get him some redshirt action this season. Malloy has a solid ceiling and should develop well over the next few years.

Notes on others:
Chase Turner - Turner is a similar player to both Wynns and Smith and wouldn't be a bad candidate to start. However, Purdue will likely either opt to go with a young sophomore or a blue chip prospect. Turner seems to have the TE3 spot locked down.
Kevin Leach - Leach just isn't more than a depth piece at this point in time as his development never really got going after battling a foot injury the last two years.

Purdue TE Room Future Outlook
The TE room outlook for Purdue is average. Purdue has a crop of average options to start for them this season and will likely see the starter develop well into the next season. Smith is an A- potential and with three years to go, he might develop fairly well. Wynns, on paper, is likely better but just has one more year. Malloy likely won't be ready to start his (FR) season after a redshirt but might have to be throw into the fire anyway. This is not a super important position for Purdue so as long as they have someone going forward rated at B or better...they will be fine. However, this is likely the worst position group on offense for the next five years. They do have a starter on the roster for the next five years which is something they can hang their hat on.