What is the story about?
Coach
Odom addressed the media and then answered a few questions this afternoon during his first game-week press conference of the 2026 season.
Notes
- This week’s Monday practice is like a normal Tuesday practice because of the Friday night kickoff.
- Note that 5 of Purdue’s first 7 games are at home.
- The team is fired up, anxious, tired of playing against each other, and ready to play someone else.
- Staff is putting final touches on gameplan.
- The only way to get in game shape is to play in the game, regardless of the weather.
- Has a bunch of game-ready players and will use deep rotations to help keep players fresh.
- Expects Purdue to be ready despite the steamy weather on Friday.
- Confident in O.C. Josh Henson’s ability to call plays.
- The coaching staff has little to no ego.
- No status update on Joey Tanona – Media has covered the injuries enough, and Purdue doesn’t have to put out an injury report this week.
- All players with the exception of Raderrion Daniels and Kylan Fox (both out with season-ending knee injuries) will be “active” for the game.
- Doesn’t matter the opponent, the team’s focus is to be as good as they can be and everything else will fall into place.
- Likes the new NCAA portal calendar. All but 7 players have been in the program since January, which helps both on the field and in the classroom.
- Coach Odom says he’s still focused on developing and graduating players.
- Says the team has made strides in the physical metrics they use to chart progress.
- The wide receiver group has grown the most since January, and they need to get their playmakers on the outside of the ball.
- Having film on Indiana State from last week is useful, and it added a few things to the game plan, but overall, no big surprises.
- Wants to see if Purdue can check the boxes (in terms of things they need to do to win) against a different team.
- The Big Ten is the toughest conference in college football, based on recent on-field results.
- This year feels different in terms of confidence in the Purdue organization and team. The players’ offseason work has given him confidence and is proud of the work they’ve put in.
- Excited about the 2026 offensive line recruiting class. Brock Brownfield is physically mature beyond his age, has continued to improve throughout camp, and is a fierce competitor.
