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Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end George Burhenn (81) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Tight End
| Name | Pos | Recruiting Class | HS/JuCo/Portal | Home State | High School | HS Rating | Juco/Port | JuCo/Port Rating | Seasons at Purdue | Eligibility | Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Burhenn | TE | 23 | HS | IN | Mount Vernon | 3*(86.3) | NA | NA | 3 | 2 | George Burhenn |
| Kylan Fox | TE | 24 | Portal | GA | Grayson | 4*(89.9) | UCF | 3*(86) | 0 | 3 | Kylan Fox |
| Luca Puccinelli | TE | 24 | Portal | VA | Benedictine | 3*(85) | Wake Forest | 3*(84.3) | 1 | 3 | Luca Puccinelli |
| Jon Grimmet | TE | 25 | HS | OK | Pauls Valley | 3*(84.2) | NA | NA | 1 | 4 | Jon Grimmet |
| Cooper McCutchan | TE | 26 | HS | OH | Archbishop Moeller | 3*(86.1) | NA | NA | 0 | 5 | Cooper McCutchan |
| Ar’Mari Towns | TE | 26 | HS | Al | Southside | 3*(87.1) | NA | NA | 0 | 5 | Ar’Mari Towns |
Eligibility Changes
Kylan Fox will have an additional year of eligibility in the age-based eligibility model.
Thoughts
First off, getting an extra year for a talented player like Fox is found money (assuming he spends that time at Purdue). The former 4* jumbo wide receiver played in 11 games as a freshman at UCF; he gets that season back. I liked him as a 2-season transfer; I love him as a 3-season transfer. Fox is growing into the position after playing wide receiver in high school, and that extra year could pay huge dividends. He’s an excellent insurance piece for Burhenn this season and could be the long-term answer at tight end moving forward.
Speaking of George Burhenn, if anyone in college football deserves a break, it’s George. When healthy, he has elite traits for a receiving tight end. His combination of high speed, jumping, and running ability is NFL-worthy, but his joints haven’t cooperated thus far. He’s played in 8 games over the last two seasons, and I’m not sure he was 100% in a few of those games. His 5-reception, 74-yard, 1-touchdown game against Indiana in 2023 has teased me for the last 2 seasons. He could be the next Dustin Keller or Brycen Hopkins for Purdue if, and this is a big if, he can make a catch without something falling off his body. I recently learned that while Burhenn has been battling through injuries, his dad has been battling ALS. That’s a crazy amount of adversity for one young man to experience. I’m sure he’s getting plenty of support from Purdue and his teammates, but man, I’d love to see him finally break out and show everyone why he’s been Purdue’s most hyped player over the last two seasons.
Luca Puccinelli is the third tight end in the rotation and is more of an in-line, traditional tight end, as opposed to Burhenn and Fox. Look for him to come in as an extra blocker in short-yardage situations, but despite his reputation as a run-blocking tight end, he managed to haul in 3 passes for 24 yards against the Hoosiers in the 2025 season finale. I’m not saying he’s going to set the world on fire, but at 6’6”, 265, he could be a problem for defenders in the redzone.
Redshirt Freshman Jon Grimmett, and true freshmen Cooper McCutchan and Ar’Mari Towns round out the rotation. I’m most intrigued by Towns’ skill set at 6’6”, 225, with the ability to elevate over defenders. His blocking will need to improve significantly, but with the new rules in place, I wonder if the coaching staff can find a specific role for him in the offense. I like the idea of flexing him out to wide receiver inside the 10 and asking a linebacker or safety to try to outjump him in the back of the end zone. Ryan Browne needs easier throws and bigger windows, and Towns, in theory, could provide both while still learning how to play tight end in the Big 10.
Moving Forward
The talent at tight end, outside of Burhenn, is young and hungry. In theory, all of these guys could be back in 2027. Offensive coordinator Josh Henson also happens to be the tight ends coach. If these guys are up to the task, and I think a few of them are, Henson will get an up-close look at their skills during practice. It wouldn’t surprise me if a tight end led Purdue in touchdown receptions in 2026 and continued the trend into the future.
For my money, this group has the most NFL potential on the roster. At the same time, potential doesn’t mean anything if the production doesn’t follow. I think you’re going to see Burhenn take off in 2026, and the tight end position will once again become one of Purdue’s calling cards. I know the Boilermakers are known as “The Cradle of Quarterbacks” and “The Den of Defensive Ends,” but they’ve put more tight ends in the NFL than either of those two positions in the recent past. 2025 was an off year for the group after Burhenn went down. Expect a bounceback in 2026.
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