WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After guiding Purdue Football through the 2023 campaign in his first season as head coach, Ryan Walters announced the addition of 25 new Boilermakers on National Signing Day (Dec. 20).
"Along with the rest of our staff, I am excited to welcome the newest Boilermakers to our Purdue Football family," said Walters. "Our staff wanted to find guys that are competitive, tough and disciplined, and I believe we accomplished that. We are looking forward to seeing this class develop and provide an impact on and off the field."
Walters and his staff assembled the 2024 class with a full recruiting cycle since taking over the program just over one year ago (Dec. 13, 2022), The class is currently ranked No. 31 nationally, including eighth in the new 18-team Big Ten, according to the composite rankings compiled by 247Sports. The national ranking is Purdue's best since the class of 2019 assembled five years ago.
Breaking down the December class, the newest Boilermakers consist of 13 on the offensive side of the ball, 11 on defense and one on special teams. Koy Beasley, a defensive back from Cincinnati, Ohio, is Purdue's highest rated recruit since All-Americans David Bell and George Karlaftis (2019) according to 247Sports. Kicker Spencer Porath is the lone special teams representative for the class, as the Brownsburg native decided to continue his career in his home state. Four Indiana natives chose the Old Gold & Black to become Boilermakers, and the new class features representatives from 11 other states.
Along with 23 high school prospects ready to begin their collegiate careers in 2024, Purdue signed a pair of junior college offensive linemen in Jaekwon Bouldin and Rod Green.
The entire class, along with information about each signee, can be found below. Season tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now.
Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (High School/Previous School) |
DJ Allen | OLB | 6-3 | 225 | Memphis, Tenn. (Germantown) |
Jaden Ball | OL | 6-5 | 300 | Carroll, Ohio (Bloom-Carroll) |
Koy Beasley | ATH | 5-11 | 170 | Cincinnati, Ohio (La Salle) |
Jaekwon Bouldin | OL | 6-6 | 350 | Canton, Miss. (Canton/Mississippi Gulf Coast) |
Smiley Bradford | DB | 6-0 | 185 | St. Louis, Mo. (East St. Louis) |
Marcos Davila | QB | 6-3 | 230 | Midland, Texas (Midland Legacy) |
Tayvion Galloway | TE | 6-5 | 230 | Chillicothe, Ohio (Pickerington Central) |
Rod Green | OL | 6-5 | 315 | Springfield, Ohio (Coffeyville CC) |
Donovan Hamilton | WR | 6-4 | 205 | Fishers, Ind. (Hamilton Southeastern) |
Tra'Mar Harris | WR | 6-1 | 185 | Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods) |
Hudauri Hines | DB | 6-2 | 195 | Indianapolis, Ind. (Franklin Central) |
Ty Hudkins | DB | 6-0 | 185 | Grand Rapids, Mich.. (Forest Hills Central) |
Caleb Irving | DL | 6-2 | 270 | Glenn Heights, Texas (Parish Episcopal) |
Demeco Kennedy | DL | 6-2 | 285 | Lexington, Ky. (Frederick Douglass) |
Jordan King | OL | 6-4 | 315 | Ft. Wayne, Ind. (North Side) |
Earl Kulp | DB | 6-0 | 185 | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas) |
D'Mon Marable | DB | 6-0 | 200 | Knoxville, Tenn. (Clinton) |
Jaheim Merriweather | RB | 6-2 | 205 | Jackson, Tenn. (Bearden) |
Max Parrott | OL | 6-5 | 295 | Centennial, Colo. (Cherry Creek) |
Jamari Payne | DL | 6-3 | 255 | Auburn, Ala. (Loachapoka) |
Spencer Porath | K | 6-0 | 195 | Brownsburg, Ind. (Brownsburg) |
John Randle Jr. | OL | 6-4 | 275 | Horn Lake, Miss. (Horn Lake) |
Shamar Rigby | WR | 6-4 | 175 | St. Petersburg, Fla. (Clearwater Central Catholic) |
Jesse Watson | WR | 5-9 | 155 | St. Louis, Mo. (East St. Louis) |
Luke Williams | DB | 6-1 | 175 | Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North) |
DJ ALLEN
OLB | 6-3 | 225
Memphis, Tenn. | Germantown High School
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 30 in the state of Tennessee per 247Sports
• Ranked as the No. 67 edge rusher in the class by 247Sports
• Tallied 75 tackles in his senior season, including 17 tackles-for-loss, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles
• Awarded Region 8-6A Defensive Player of the Year
• Helped guide his team to a perfect regular season in 2023, going 12-0
JADEN BALL
OL | 6-5 | 300
Carroll, Ohio | Bloom-Carroll High School
• Three-star prospect, No. 21 ranked recruit in the state of Ohio per On3
• Team captain
• 2022 D3 State Runner-Up
• Two-time First Team All-Ohio
• Two-time league lineman of the year
• Two-time first team all-district
• Two-time first team all-league
• Two-time first team all-metro
• Tallied 325 pancake blocks throughout his high school career
KOY BEASLEY
ATH | 5-11 | 170
Cincinnati, Ohio | La Salle High School
• Consensus four-star recruit, No. 5 prospect from Ohio per On3
• Purdue's highest ranked recruit since David Bell and George Karlaftis in 2019 according to 247Sports
• Ranked as the No. 102 overall recruit in the class by On3
• A Top-10 prospect at the position according to 247Sports
• Ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 Ohio UA Camp while recording a top speed of 21.7 mph
• First Team All-GCL as a junior, making the second team as a sophomore
• Awarded first team all-district and second team all-state in his junior season
• Also holds the school record in the 100 meter, 4x100 and 4x200, earning two 4x100 state titles
JAEKWON BOULDIN
OL | 6-6 | 350
Gluckstadt, Miss. | Mississippi Gulf Coast
• Helped block on the offensive line for his team that averaged 235.6 rushing yards per game and 210.2 passing yards per game
• Played in 13 games, helping the team win 12 times
SMILEY BRADFORD
DB | 6-0 | 185
St. Louis, Mo. | East St. Louis Senior High School
• Three-star recruit, No. 15 in the state per Rivals
• Tabbed as the No. 42 safety in the class by Rivals
• Reached three Illinois Class 6A State Finals, winning the a championship in 2022
• Recorded 93 tackles (66 solo) as a senior in 2023 to earn first team all-state honors
• Made 110 tackles with a trio of sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception as a junior in 2022
• Recorded 110 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a sophomore in 2021
• No. 6 on the 2023 Post-Dispatch Super 30 list
• Team captain
MARCOS DAVILA
QB | 6-3 | 230
Midland, Texas | Midland Legacy High School
• Four-star recruit according to 247Sports and Rivals
• No. 15 ranked QB in the country by 247Sports
• No. 41 recruit in the state per On3
• Ended his career with 93 touchdown passes and 9,101 career passing yards, both school records, serving as the starter in his final three seasons
• Tossed 30 touchdowns for 3,303 yards on 219-of-339 passing in his senior season, averaging 254.1 yards per game and 16.8 yards per completion
• Won the Texas District 2-6A title all three years as a starter
• Picked as the District 2-6A Offensive MVP in his final two seasons
• Threw for 3,051 yards, 36 TDs as a junior in 2022
• Named Texas District 2-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 2021
TAYVION GALLOWAY
TE | 6-5 | 230
Chillicothe, Ohio | Pickerington Central High School
• Four-star recruit, No. 9 in the state per ESPN
• Tabbed as the No. 4 TE in the class by ESPN
• Listed as one of the five best prospects in the class of 2024 from Ohio by MaxPreps
• Helped guide the Tigers to the 2023 OCC Buckeye title
• Recorded 700 yards, eight touchdowns on 36 receptions as a junior
• Earned third team all-state honors in his junior season
ROD GREEN
OL | 6-5 | 315
Dayton, Ohio | Coffeyville CC
• Three-star prospect
• No. 2 junior college interior lineman and No. 42 overall according to 247Sports
• Appeared in all 12 games for Coffeyville CC in 2023
• Named to the KJCCC All-Conference Second Team
• Played in four games for Tennessee State in 2021, helping the team to a 3-1 record in those contests
• Helped his team to 445 rushing and 819 passing yards in his appearances
DONOVAN HAMILTON
WR | 6-4 | 205
Fishers, Ind. | Hamilton Southeastern High School
• Three-star recruit, No. 15 in Indiana per 247Sports
• Awarded Indiana Mr. Wide Receiver as well as conference player of the year in his senior season
• Named first team all-conference in his final two seasons
• Tallied 50 receptions for a total of 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior
• Also a first team all-conference player in basketball
TRA'MAR HARRIS
WR | 6-1 | 185
Cincinnati, Ohio | Winton Woods High School
• Consensus three-star prospect, No. 17 in the state of Ohio per On3
• Ranked as No. 58 wide receiver in the country by ESPN
• Named OPSWA Div. II All-State and All-Southwest First Team in 2023
• Holds single season records for yards, receptions and touchdowns
• Totaled 58 receptions for 780 yards and six scores his senior season
• Tallied 56 receptions for 806 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior
• Had a receiving touchdown in eight consecutive games in his junior year
• Won an Ohio Division II state title in 2021
• Invited to the Under Armour Next Football Camp Series
HUDAURI HINES
DB | 6-2 | 195
Indianapolis, Ind. | Franklin Central High School
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 9 player in Indiana per On3
• Tabbed as the No. 58 CB in the class by On3
• Named first team all-conference and all-county in 2022
• Earned a spot on the 2023 IFCA Top 50 All-State team
• Made 37 tackles and eight pass breakups in his senior season
• Also runs track at Franklin, has clocked an 11.15 100-meter dash
TY HUDKINS
DB | 6-0 | 185
Grand Rapids, Mich. | Forest Hills Central High School
• Three-star recruit, No. 18 player from Michigan according to ESPN
• Ranked as the No. 91 safety in the class by ESPN
• Named the Michigan Player of the Year for divisions three and four by the AP
• Helped his team to a state title as a senior after finishing as the runner-up in his junior campaign. Had an INT and three tackles on defense with six catches for 115 yards and a touchdown on offense.
• Totaled 98 tackles along with eight pass breakups and five interceptions as a senior
• Tallied 10 pass breakups, 85 tackles and two interceptions in his junior season
• Awarded first team all-state honors in both of his final two seasons
CALEB IRVING
DL | 6-2 | 270
Glenn Heights, Texas | Parish Episcopal School of Dallas
• Three-star recruit, ranked at No. 51 at his position by Rivals
• Tabbed as the No. 120 prospect from Texas by the On3 Industry Ranking
• Ranked as the No. 51 Dallas-area recruit according to SportsDay, the only player on his team to be ranked inside the Top 100
• Helped Parish Episcopal to its fourth consecutive TAPPS Division I state title in 2022
• First team all-district and all-state in 2022
• Totaled 96 tackles, including five sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss, in his junior season
• Chosen as a team captain in 2023
• Also throws shot put and discus for Parish Episcopal
DEMECO KENNEDY
DL | 6-2 | 295
Lexington, Ky. | Frederick Douglas High School
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 5 player in the state of Kentucky per On3
• Helped guide the Broncos to the 2022 Kentucky Class 5A State Championship
• Team captain in two straight years for Frederick Douglas High School
JORDAN KING
OL | 6-4 | 315
Fort Wayne, Ind. | North Side High School
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 9 in Indiana per Rivals
• Ranked as the No. 93 OT in the class by ESPN
• Earned all-state nods in both his junior and senior seasons
• Named first team all-conference in 2022 and 2023 as well as second team all-conference in his sophomore season
• Shot put sectional champion for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023)
EARL KULP
DB | 6-0 | 185
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | St. Thomas Aquinas High School
• Three-star recruit, No. 55 for his position per On3
• Ranked as the No. 67 prospect from Florida by On3
• Made 36 tackles (23 solo) along with six passes defended and a TFL
• Tallied two fumble recoveries, one blocked punt and a pair of interceptions throughout his high school career
• Four-time state champion, earning three with St. Thomas Aquinas and one with Miami Central
D'MON MARABLE
DB | 6-0 | 200
Clinton, Tenn. | Clinton High School
• Three-star recruit, No. 11 in the state per 247Sports
• Ranked as the No. 49 safety in the class by On3
• Helped the Dragons advance to the third round of the Tennessee state playoffs
• Led the state in tackles as a senior with 174 according to MaxPreps
• Finished his senior year with 174 total tackles (82 solo), 4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles-for-loss and a pick six
• Totaled 87 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his junior season
• Earned Tennessee Region 3-5A Co-Defender of the Year honors in 2022
• Broke the Clinton single game and season record for tackles
• Also ran track and posted an 11.66 100-meter dash as a junior
JAHEIM MERRIWEATHER
RB | 6-2 | 205
Knoxville, Tenn. | Bearden High School
• Three-star recruit, ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the state by ESPN
• Ranked as the No. 19 ATH in the nation by On3
• Helped the Bulldogs to the state quarterfinals as a senior, battling back from an ankle injury in time for the playoff push
• Rushed for 11 touchdowns and over 900 yards on offense while picking off a pair of passes on defense, and returned a kickoff for a touchdown as a junior at Gallatin
MAX PARROTT
OL | 6-5 | 295
Centennial, Colo. | Cherry Creek High School
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 7 in the state of Colorado per 247Sports
• Helped his team advance to four consecutive Colorado State Championships, winning three in a row
• Selected for the 2023 All-Centennial League First Team
• Named all-conference in his junior season
• Earned a spot on the Colorado Academic All-State team in 2022
• Chosen as a team captain for his senior year
• Also competed in track and field for Cherry Creek, running the 100-meter dash and throwing shot put
JAMARI PAYNE
DL | 6-3 | 255
Auburn, Ala. | Loachapoka High School
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 23 recruit from Alabama per On3
• Ranked as the No. 44 defensive lineman in the class by On3
• Ended his senior season with 76 tackles, including 12 sacks, and two interceptions
• Tallied a pick-six in a Loachapoka win over LaFayette
• Named the preseason Super 8 Senior honoree by the Opelika-Auburn News
• Recorded 109 tackles, 27.5 for a loss, with 6.5 sacks as a junior
• Helped Loachapoka to its first playoff win in nine years in his junior season
• Also played basketball, averaging 9.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game as a junior
SPENCER PORATH
K | 6-0 | 195
Brownsburg, Ind. | Brownsburg High School
• Three-star recruit, No. 8 kicker in the class according to On3
• 2023 U.S. Army Bowl All-American
• Earned a spot on the 2023 IFCA Top 50 All-State team
• Indiana Mr. Football 2023 position award winner
• Made all seven of his field goal attempts in his senior season with his longest attempt being 48 yards
• Scored 44 extra points in 2023 and earned a punting average of 40 yards
• Served as team captain and named special teams player of the year
• Also a two-year starter for the basketball and soccer teams
JOHN RANDLE JR.
OL | 6-4 | 272
Horn Lake, Miss. | Horn Lake High School
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 33 in the state by ESPN
• Started on the varsity football team freshman through senior year
• Named to the North Team for the 75th-annual Bernard Blackwell All-Star Football Classic
• Earned first team all-region honors for both football and basketball
• Started for a Horn Lake basketball squad that went 30-2 and made the Mississippi 6A Final Four as a junior
• Also played baseball and ran track
• Member of Horn Lake's National Honor Society
SHAMAR RIGBY
WR | 6-4 | 175
St. Petersburg, Fla. | Clearwater Central Catholic
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 73 in Florida per On3
• Named all-state honorable mention in his junior season
• Helped lead his team to the state championship two consecutive years
• Totaled 39 receptions for 657 yards as a senior
• Caught 42 passes for 632 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior
• Also plays basketball, averaging 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in his junior year
JESSE WATSON
WR | 5-9 | 155
St. Louis, Mo. | East St. Louis High School
• Consensus three-star recruit, No. 25 in the state per ESPN
• Reached three Illinois Class 6A State Finals, winning the championship in 2022
• Named IHSFCA Honorable Mention All-State as a senior
• Recorded 865 all-purpose yards for seven touchdowns in his final season
• Totaled eight touchdowns on 29 receptions for 430 yards his junior year
LUKE WILLIAMS
DB | 6-1 | 175
Naperville, Ill. | Naperville North High School
• Three-star recruit, No. 6 player in the state per On3
• Named No. 17 in his position according to On3
• Tallied 62 tackles, seven INTs and six PBUs in his senior season
• Helped the team in all phases of the game. He played wide receiver on the offensive side, making 50 catches for 565 yards and five touchdowns. Also served as the team's punter, averaging 30.7 yards on 39 kicks.
• Named to the 2023 IHSFCA All-State team
• Awarded Defensive Player of the Year in the DuPage Conference
• Four-time all-conference honoree
• Also played basketball and ran track. Averaged 21 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in his junior season. Was an All-State honorable mention.