Purdue football transfer portal pickup comes with 21 Big Ten starts

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WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football's defensive line makeover now includes a Big Ten veteran who immediately becomes the unit's most experienced player.

Former Illinois and Wisconsin defensive lineman Curt Neal announced his commitment to the Boilermakers out of the NCAA transfer portal via Instagram. He started for both programs and has played 41 Big Ten games.

Neal was the first of two former Illinois plays to join Purdue on Wednesday. Linebacker JoJo Hayden also signed with the Boilers, per On3.

Neal joins former North Carolina Central defensive lineman Wisdom Simms as transfer additions to the defensive front. Purdue also recently added Iowa Western Community College defensive lineman Jeremy Lewis Jr. to its 2026 signing class.

Neal started eight of the 12 games he played for Illinois last season. He recorded 15 tackles (10 solo) with 0.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry and one pass deflection. He was a full-season starter at Wisconsin in 2024, collecting 29 tackles (three for loss) and 0.5 sacks. The North Carolina native was also a regular rotation player with the Badgers in 2023.

On the interior defensive line, Purdue brings back TJ Lindsey and Ian Jeffries, among others. It needed more bodies, though, to replace big contributors Jamarrion Harkless (Kentucky) and Demeco Kennedy (Louisville).

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Curt Neal, Illinois, Wisconsin starter, commits to Purdue football

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