Purdue Football Depth Chart Review: Defense vs Wake Forest

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As the college football season hits its stride on September 16, 2026, the Purdue Boilermakers are still licking their wounds from a heartbreaking overtime loss to Wake Forest on September 12. The Vulius NFL Analysis Desk takes a deep dive into the defensive depth chart to see what went wrong and what can be fixed before a daunting trip to UCLA.

Defensive Line: A Mixed Bag

Defensive coordinator Kevin Kane switched from a 4-2-5 to a 3-3-5 base defense, and the results were encouraging against the run. Virginia Tech transfer Keyshawn Burgos, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive end, stepped into the starting lineup and held his own, helping limit Wake's running backs to under 4 yards per carry on 24 attempts. Nose tackle Curt Neal contributed a sack, while Ian Jeffries and Rodney Lora rotated in. The grade of C+ reflects a solid but unspectacular effort.

Linebackers: Tackling Machines with Coverage Woes

Charles Correa and Jojo Hayden were everywhere, combining for 23 tackles. However, their pass defense left much to be desired. Hayden surrendered a touchdown, and Correa was beaten for a 20-yard completion. The switch to a 3-3-5 was likely designed to unleash junior college transfer Jeremy Lewis, and it worked: Lewis recorded 2 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Trey Smith started but played fewer snaps as Lewis ascended. Georgia transfer Elo Modozie saw limited action, but his talent could still earn him more playing time. Overall, the linebackers earned a C+ for their run-stuffing prowess but need to improve in coverage.

Secondary: A Achilles' Heel

The secondary struggled mightily, earning a D grade. Cornerback Don Saunders was targeted five times and allowed four receptions for an average of 18.5 yards, including a 43-yard outing by Wake's Carlos Hernandez. Hudari Hines was more reliable, giving up just one catch. Nickelback Smiley Bradford was steady, but the absence of Mister Clark exposed a lack of depth. The Boilermakers have only six defensive backs they trust, and when Clark couldn't play, freshman Emoni Smith was thrust into a critical 4th-and-15 in overtime—a situation he wasn't ready for, leading to a game-deciding conversion. The safeties, John Slaughter and Justin Denson Jr., were solid against the run but didn't make any plays on the ball.

Coaching Decisions Under Fire

Coach Kane's decision to use six defensive backs on the fateful 4th-and-15 backfired. With Clark out, the drop-off to Smith was too steep. In hindsight, a five-defensive-back look with an extra linebacker might have been wiser. As the Vulius Sports team noted, coaching is about putting players in positions to succeed, and that didn't happen on this play.

Looking Ahead

Purdue's defense did enough to win, but the pass defense faltered on critical possessions. The corners and safeties must improve their coverage or it could be a long night against UCLA. The Boilermakers have the talent to compete, but they need to tighten up their secondary and find more reliable depth. For more in-depth analysis and custom Purdue gear, visit Vulius.com.