Purdue football stockpiling position of need in 2026 recruiting class

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WEST LAFAYETTE − A Purdue football offense that has lacked consistency this season targeted one of its biggest areas of need with its 2026 recruiting class.

Cooper McCutchan’s decommitment from North Carolina earlier this month was the Boilermakers‘ gain.

McCutchan, a three-star tight end, announced on X Monday he’s “100% committed” to coach Barry Odom’s Purdue program.

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McCutchan is the third tight end to commit to Purdue’s 2026 class, doing so just nine days before college football’s early signing period begins on Dec. 3. He joins Dream Rashad and ArMari Towns as tight ends among Purdue’s current 20-player group of 2026 verbal commitments.

This season, Purdue’s tight ends have combined for 21 catches and 209 yards with no touchdowns. George Burhenn, Purdue’s top pass catching tight end, suffered a broken leg during the spring. He returned to play four games this season before injuring his arm. He has not played since Sept. 20.

Burhenn and Rico Walker, who leads all Purdue tight ends with 100 receiving yards this season, are among four scholarship tight ends who could return next season, joining Wake Forest transfer Luca Puccinelli, who played in the season’s first two games, and Jon Grimmett, who sat out his freshman season this year with an injury.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound McCutchan plays for Moeller High in Cincinnati. According to Moeller’s school website, McCutchan has 18 catches for 201 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. Among his 30 offers were 23 from Power 4 programs.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football gets commitment from third 2026 tight end

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