First Purdue football starter reportedly plans to enter portal
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The first potential Purdue football returning starter to announce his intent to enter the transfer portal came Monday.
Defensive tackle Jamarrion “Chops” Harkless plans to pursue his transfer options when the portal opens in January, per 247Sports. He becomes the fourth Boilermaker defensive player to declare they will seek out transfer options.
Unlike the others, though, Harkless was a central part of Barry Odom‘s first Purdue defense. The 6-foot-3, 345-pound nose started all 12 games, amassing the third-most snaps among interior defensive linemen, per PFF.
Harkless totaled 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks with four quarterback hurries. He contributed to a defensive front which finished 10th in the Big Ten in sacks per game (2.0).
The Kentucky native originally committed to Mississippi before flipping to join Ryan Walters‘ 2023 signing class. Soon after arriving at Purdue, a heart condition was discovered, which led to surgery and contributed to him taking a redshirt year. He played 10 games as a redshirt freshman in 2024.
Interior defensive line, though, is one position where Purdue might have quality depth. In addition to Demeco Kennedy and Ian Jeffries, both of whom played more snaps than Harkless this past season, TJ Lindsey could also return after missing most of the season with a knee injury.
Safety/linebacker Winston Berglund and defensive backs D’Mon Marable and Stu Smith previously announced their intent to put their name in the portal next month. Players cannot officially enter the portal, or talk to prospective teams, until after Jan. 2. Players can also withdraw and remain with their original program.
Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football’s Jamarrion Chops Harkless to enter transfer portal
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos