Purdue football transfer portal tracker: Safety withdraws, returns
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WEST LAFAYETTE − Building blocks for Purdue football‘s 2026 roster are starting to stack.
Players at the three positions of most need were the first three to join the Boilermakers through the transfer portal, including two with experience in college football’s two marquee conferences. Additionally, safety Smiley Bradford, who had 30 tackles and an interception in 2025, withdrew his name from the transfer portal to return to Purdue.
Former USC guard Micah Banuelos reunites with Purdue offensive coordinator Josh Henson, who was USC’s offensive coordinator during Banuelos’ first two seasons with the Trojans. Texas running back Jerrick Gibson committed to Purdue on Sunday, along with North Carolina Central defensive tackle Wisdom Simms.
After not much noise in recent days from the departure front, center Bradyn Joiner and tight end Rico Walker entered the transfer portal on Monday. Both came to Purdue after playing at Auburn in 2024. Walker played at Maryland in 2023. Joiner started all 12 games at center for Purdue in 2025 and was on the SEC All-Freshman team in 2024.
Bradford posted on social media he’s coming back to Purdue, following safety D’Mon Marable and linebackers Winston Berglund and Owen Davis as players who explored the portal before staying in West Lafayette.
The following players from Purdue’s 2025 roster have entered the transfer portal.
Purdue football players entering the transfer portal
| Player | Pos. | 2025 impact | New school |
| Arhmad Branch | WR | 14 rec., 212 yards, 2 TD | |
| Chalil Cummings | CB | 3 tackles, 2 PBU | |
| Carson Dean | LB | 3 games | |
| Jamarrion Harkless | DT | 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks | |
| Jimmy Johnsen | OL | DNP | |
| Bradyn Joiner | C | Started all 12 games | |
| Demeco Kennedy | DT | 21 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks | |
| Jaheim Merriweather | RB | 5 games, 2 car., 4 yards | |
| Marcus Moore | DT | 2 tackles | |
| Hank Purvis | OL | 11 games, 7 starts at guard | |
| John Randle Jr. | OL | 2 games | |
| Alex Sanford Jr. | LB | 46 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 FR | |
| Malachi Singleton | QB | 59.4%, 439 pass yds., 5 TD, 2 INT; 202 rush yds., 1 TD | |
| Justin Schmidt | LS | DNP | |
| Sterling Smith | S | 12 games, 3 tackles | |
| Joey Sumlin | LB | DNP | |
| Jaron Thomas | RB | 2 carries, 15 yards | Minnesota |
| Nitro Tuggle | WR | 34 rec., 500 yards, 4 TD | |
| Rico Walker | TE | 9 rec., 100 yards |
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football transfer portal tracker
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