The NCAA's recent decision to grant a fifth year of eligibility to any athlete who was enrolled by the age of 19 is reshaping roster planning across the country, and Purdue's defensive end room is feeling the ripple effect.
Among the returning veterans, six names dominate the conversation: CJ Madden, Trey Smith, Elo Modozie, Keyshawn Burgos, Jeremy Lewis and Breeon Ishmail. Each arrived with a different backstory, but all are now fighting for a spot in a rotation that could feature as many as seven capable players.
The author of the scouting report is blunt about Madden and Smith, noting that their tackle counts, tackles for loss and sack numbers have fallen short of expectations, making a starting role in 2026 seem unlikely.
A Competitive Outlook
In contrast, Modozie, a transfer from Army who spent a season at Georgia, arrives with a reputation for disruptive play and is expected to anchor the line. Burgos, a 6‑5 strong‑side end with ten college starts but only 2.5 sacks, is viewed as a sleeper who could break out, while Jeremy Lewis, a junior‑college transfer who captured a NJCAA D1 championship, is projected to contribute immediately.
Breeon Ishmail, who made a respectable debut in 2025, is also on an upward trajectory, and the coaching staff believes his second year could see a noticeable jump in production.
Beyond the established names, a group of younger prospects — Landon Brooks, Mason Alnutt, Katrell Webb, Maximillian Carmicle, Aiden Solecki and Finn Goodman — are being watched closely. Though they are still developing, their potential could add depth and flexibility to the defensive front.
With the new eligibility rule opening the door for additional experience, the Boilermakers' defensive end group appears poised for a competitive battle in the upcoming season. The blend of seasoned transfers, underrated veterans and emerging talent suggests that Purdue could finally field a unit that matches the aggressive front seven the program has been building.