Indy Chronicler

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — It’s the first day of spring and the first day that we saw the 2024 Purdue football team take to the field. Purdue football held its first practice of the offseason and it was a very memorable one.

Before the first whistle could be blown, Purdue football took some time to recognize one of their top players.

In a surprise ceremony, which included his parents, Dillion Thieneman’s All-American Banner was unveiled.

Everyone erupted in cheer to celebrate Thieneman, who was still trying to figure out what was happening. Thieneman said, ”They didn’t tell me anything. So he brought it up, and then he started saying some things, brought me up, I look over and then my parents walk in and I was like ‘What? What’s going on?’ and then I saw like it kind of rolled up there so I knew it was going to happen I just didn’t know when.”

After the celebrations died down, it was then time to get to work. The offense and defense split up to run through drills, and everyone seemed eager to play.

Quarterback Hudson Card told Sports 18 that practice seemed to flow a lot smoother than last year, and he thinks it’s because Purdue was able to retain most of its coaches and players.

Card said, ”You know I think it was new for everyone last year. And now a majority of people, besides the transfers and the freshmen, have been here including coaches. So, you know we’re more comfortable, it’s been a good time, and a good offseason so far.”

Everyone seemed happy with how day one went, but the overall theme was that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Head Coach Ryan Walters said the team needs to continue to get better at learning the schemes, developing more depth, and most importantly, they need to stay healthy and ready to compete.

Walters said, “Coaches, players, you know old and new players alike, you know everybody’s got a chip on their shoulder. We all went 4-and-8 a year ago. And guys in the portal, like they were in the portal for a reason, and they got something to prove as well. And as much as we don’t pay attention to social media and stuff like that you still hear it. And you still hear ‘18-out-of-18.’ So of course we have a chip on our shoulder.”

Boilers will continue practicing throughout the next several weeks, and cap things off with their spring game, which will take place on April 13.

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