Purdue Football – 2026 Countdown to Kickoff: #58 – Breeon Ishmail

Purdue Football – 2026 Countdown to Kickoff: #58 – Breeon Ishmail

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Purdue Football – 2026 Countdown to Kickoff: #58 – Breeon Ishmail
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 25: Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Breeon Ishmail (58) runs across the field during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Rutgers Scarlet Knights on October 25, 2025, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Breeon Ishmail

*Note: Name links to official Purdue Bio.

Bio

Position: Defensive End

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 265

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

High School: Princeton

Recruiting Class: 2023

Former Team: Michigan

Eligibility Remaining: 2 Seasons

Season(s) at Purdue: 2025

High School Recruiting Rankings: Rating 3*(84.7) – National Rank: 1167 – Position Rank: 55

Transfer Portal Rankings: Rating 3*(83.9) – National Rank: 2392 – Position Rank: 195

High School

  • 2023: Senior Season Stats – 64 Tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 3.5 Sacks, 2 Interceptions
  • 2023: Second Team All-Ohio
  • 2023: All-Greater Miami Conference

High School Highlights

View Link

College Career

2023 Season – Michigan

Redshirt

2024 Season – Michigan

  • Games Played: 8
  • Stats: 2 Tackles

2025 Season – Purdue

  • Games Played: 8 – Games Started: 4
  • Stas: 23 Tackles, 2 Tackles-for-loss, 1 Sack
  • Put up a career-high 7 tackles and recorded his first sack vs Ohio State

College Highlights / Interviews

2026 – Season Outlook

Part of the Defensive End Rotation

Thoughts

Ishmail was a freakishly athletic, 205-pound outside linebacker when Michigan rolled the dice on his substantial upside and made him a part of their 2023 recruiting class. The problem is, Michigan isn’t really in the “development” business. Ishmail held up his end of the bargain, going from a 6’4”, 205-pound outside linebacker to a 265-pound defensive end, but the Wolverines couldn’t find a place for him to play because they have a raft of other freakishly athletic 260+ pound defensive ends who have actually played defensive end.

Coach Odom was happy to take the former project off Michigan’s hands and actually put him on the football field. The results were uneven, but that’s to be expected from a player who sat for two seasons in Ann Arbor and returned to the field 60+ pounds heavier at a new position. He flashed in a few games last season (5 tackles vs Notre Dame, 5 tackles vs Rutgers, 7 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss vs Ohio State) but was a non-factor in most games.

I don’t mind that.

This is how developmental players are supposed to develop. Michigan took a chance on a low 3* prospect because they saw what he could become; now Purdue gets to see the finished product in 2026. Look for Breeon to play a significant role in the defensive line rotation in 2026. He knocked off the rust and acclimated to Big Ten football in 2025.

If he follows the normal trajectory of a “project”, 2026 should be the year he’s finally ready to show everyone what he’s been working on over the last three seasons. If you’re looking for a sleeper “breakout” candidate for 2026, Ishmael should be towards the top of your list.

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