With Kylan Fox sidelined, Purdue looks for answers at tight end
· Yahoo Sports
WEST LAFAYETTE — Talent has not been the issue in Purdue football's tight ends room going back several years.
Health, however, has been what's held the position back.
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That was the case again last season when George Burhenn suffered a season-ending injury. Without perhaps its best offensive weapon in the passing game, Purdue managed just 13 receptions for 134 yards out of its other tight ends.
The Boilermakers already have been hit before this season kicks off. A knee injury to Central Florida transfer Kylan Fox took away what probably was Purdue's No. 2 tight end.
Purdue's tight ends
Who is back (2025 stats): Jon Grimmett, redshirt freshman; Jackson Berryman, sophomore; George Burhenn, junior (9 rec., 94 yards); Luca Puccinelli, sophomore (3 rec., 24 yards); Luke Shorter, redshirt freshman
New faces: Ar'Mari Towns, freshman; Kylan Fox, junior (16 rec., 137 yards, TD in 2025 at UCF); Cooper McCutchan, freshman
Who fills Purdue's No. 2 tight end role?
Fox was on track to be the guy. When pressed for who'll have to step up with Fox injured, Barry Odom responded, "coach (David) Spurlock, coach (Josh) Henson and the seven guys in there." Spurlock is an offensive analyst who works with tight ends. Henson is the offensive coordinator also tabbed as tight ends coach.
The eye test says it may be true freshman Ar'Mari Towns, who at 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds certainly looks the part.
Purdue's best bet? Hope George Burhenn isn't snake bit by another catastrophe.
What is a healthy George Burhenn capable of?
The last time we saw a fully healthy Burhenn, he was tearing it up in 2024 spring camp. He had a dominant first half en route to Purdue's last Big Ten victory, the 2023 season finale against the pre-Curt Cignetti Indiana Hoosiers.
It was Burhenn's first real college opportunity after injuries decimated the position (a recurring theme) and he showed why he was a highly-touted recruit.
Don't be surprised to see Burhenn lining up as a receiver and taking advantage of mismatches. That's something that never matriculated last season when Burhenn, who started last season with an injured ankle, broke his arm in the season's fourth game.
Purdue will desperately need help in the passing game from its tight ends. Burhenn can be a big cog in that happening. Now in his fourth season, Burhenn also brings leadership.
"When I first got here, I had some great tight ends to look up to, so it's awesome to be able to be that guy for them," Burhenn said.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: With Kylan Fox sidelined, Purdue looks for answers at tight end