2026 Purdue NFL Draft Watch: Barry Odom Reels In Pro Portal Prospect
New head coach recruits his top player from UNLV over to West Lafayette.
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2026 NFL Draft Rankings: S || CB || LB || ER || DT || C || OG || OT || TE || WR || RB || QB
TOP 10 PURDUE PROSPECTS FOR 2026
Location: West Lafayette, IN || Conference: B1G || Head Coach: Barry Odom (1st Year, Overall: 44-33) || NFL Draft Picks Under Odom: 0 (0/year) || NFL 1st Round Picks Odom: 0 || Boilermakers in NFL: 16
1. Tony Grimes, CB, rSr, 6006, 190, 4.46e
Evaluation: Few players have accumulated more frequent flier miles than Grimes, who joins his third school in as many seasons. Last year, Grimes played a key role in helping UNLV revitalize the football program, He would eventually follow his Rebels head coach Barry Odom over to Purdue this past offseason. Previously, the five-star recruit spent one season at Texas A&M and three years at North Carolina. In terms of speed, Grimes is one of the fastest players in the nation and has reportedly been timed in the low 4.3-range. He also brings an element of physicality, as he likes to jam opposing wideouts at the line of scrimmage and knock them off their mark. In addition, Grimes has showcased his ability to adapt to either a man, or zone defensive scheme, which makes his NFL value even more appealing. This will be the last dance Grimes who will have maxed out his eligibility after this year. The Boilermakers are coming off a one-win season, so Grimes will once again be in charge of attempting to guide a turnaround. With just one career interception, a strong final season can help solidify Grimes as a solid mid-round investment come draft time.
Background: Started 13 games for UNLV in 2024. Missed the entire 2023 season during his lone year at Texas A&M. Played in 36 games (24 starts) during three seasons at North Carolina (2020-22). A five-star recruit out of Princess Anne High School in Virginia.
Khordae Sydnor, ER, rSr, 6032, 265, 4.80e
Jalen St. John, OT, rSr, 6044, 330, 5.30e
Devin Mockebee, RB, rSr, 5112, 210, 4.53e
CJ Nunnally IV, ER, rSr, 6026, 240, 4.72e
Ryan Turner, CB, rJr, 5112, 190, 4.42e
Charles Ross, WR, 6010, 165, 4.52e
Crew Wakley, S, rSr, 5116, 200, 4.56e
Tahj Ra-el, CB, rSr, 6005, 190, 4.54e
Christian Moore, FB, rSr, 6016, 240, 4.80e
2026 NFL Mock Draft: A look ahead at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
2026 NFL DRAFT WATCH
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