Barry Odom begins Purdue career with larger NIL budget and questions about payment dispute at UNLV

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Odom issued a statement at the time saying the program abided by the “applicable rules.” On Tuesday, he seemed to acknowledge that part of the explanation was a continuing quarterback competition between Sluka and Hajj Malik-Williams, who took over as the starter and led UNLV to its best record in 40 years and a second straight Mountain West Conference championship game appearance. The pitch Odom does have some advantages at Purdue — a strong alumni base led by former NFL star Drew Brees, a recently renovated stadium, other upgraded facilities and the school’s longtime reputation as the “Cradle of Quarterbacks.” The biggest advantage, though, will be Purdue going all in on NIL money. “We’re going to be as resourced as anybody in the country, allowing Barry and his staff the ability to go out there and be eyeball to eyeball with everybody we’re competing for, a transfer or from a high school recruiting perspective.” Bobinski said Odom’s results at UNLV were the primary attraction, though. “What that shows me is Coach Odom brings a very unique combination of an old-school, traditional football toughness and mindset with ability to operate and adapt to today’s college football environment.” Rebuilding It’s a combination Purdue desperately needs following an embarrassing 2024 season in which it went 1-11 and suffered the two most lopsided losses in school history — 66-7 to Notre Dame and 66-0 to Indiana.