National signing day is finally upon us and no one is happier than Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm. Going into his third season leading the Boilers, he has secured a top-25 recruiting class, a feat that many Boiler fans would’ve thought to be impossible a few years ago. The Boilers’ success on the field has played a significant role in their success on the recruiting trail.
In Brohm’s first season, he lead the squad to a 7-6 record, capped off with a bowl win against Arizona. In the previous four seasons, the Boilers had won a total of six games. An upset over #2 Ohio State in West Lafayette highlighted a major positive in the 2018 season, a win that didn’t go unnoticed by recruits. It looks like recruits are buying into Brohm’s dreams for the program and his decision to stay put instead of going home to Louisville showed true loyalty to the program.
This recruiting class is highlighted by four 4-star recruits (according to 247 sports), two of which are ranked #1 and #2 in the state of Indiana. The class also features three Army All-American game participants.
DE George Karlaftis: West Lafayette, IN
Karlaftis is the pride and joy of this recruiting class. The 6-4 260 pound DE shocked the nation in his decision to stay home in West Lafayette to attend Purdue. The 4/5 star recruit turned down powerhouses such as Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Michigan to stay home. The #1 ranked player in the state was named Defensive Player of the Year by the USA today and was a First Team All-American. He should make an immediate impact to Purdue’s pass rush which was less than spectacular for much of last season.
WR David Bell: Indianapolis, IN
David Bell out of Indianapolis is a huge get for the Boilers who already have former 5-star wideout, Rondale Moore. Like Moore, Bell also spurned Ohio State on his signing day at the Army All-American game. The 6-1 200 pound receiver should add even more speed to the Boilers receiving core. His addition should compliment Rondale Moore and make the two a dynamic duo for years to come.
WR Milton Wright: Louisville, KY
Brohm and Wright share the same home town in Louisville and getting him away from the Cardinals is the second L the Boilers have handed the Cardinals this offseason. The 6-3 200 pound receiver has blazing speed and makes the Boilers receiving core even more dangerous than before. QB Elijah Sindelar can almost just throw the ball up next year and know that one of his receivers is going to come down with it.
S Marvin Grant: Detroit, MI
Grant is the fourth and final 4-star recruit of the class and adds depth to a Boilermaker secondary exposed during the thrashing they received by Auburn in the Music City Bowl. He was first team all-state by USA today and the Michigan AP. He was also the Detroit Public Schools Defensive Player of the Year.
TE Kyle Bilodeau: Woodberry Forest, VA
Bilodeau is the third Army All-American game participant in this recruiting class. The Boilers are losing tight end Cole Herdman and Brycen Hopkins will be a senior this year. Hopkins will be a great mentor for Bilodeau. Bilodeau is 6-5 and 238 pounds, he should make a big impact in the Boilers passing game. He’s a big physical target for an offense that’s already loaded with speed.
Outlook
This recruiting class is a big step for a program that’s on the rise. Jeff Brohm has done a terrific job with recruiting his first two classes and they’re only going to continue to get better. The Boilermakers are just getting started and are quickly becoming a force to be messed with in the Big Ten. This team will be competing for a Big Ten championship within the next two years and this class is going to be the foundation.