With just a few days until opening kickoff, Purdue has named its team captains for the 2026 season. The Boilermakers anointed six players as leaders of the program this year, three on offense and three on defense.
Five of the six team captains are returners from the 2025 season and transferred into the program during the offseason.
Purdue is looking to bounce back after suffering through a 2-10 campaign one year ago. The Boilers open the year on Friday, hosting Indiana State at Ross-Ade Stadium.
These are the six players who have been named team captains for the upcoming season.
Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne (15) passes the ball. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Browne is Purdue's returning starting quarterback. He's coming off a 2025 campaign in which he threw for 2,153 yards and nine touchdowns and also rushed for an additional four scores. With a full season under his belt, the coaching staff is expecting the junior to take a big leap and be a more consistent passer this fall.
Purdue Boilermakers offensive lineman Jude McCoskey (72) signals a touchdown. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
McCoskey is in his second season at Purdue after transferring from Indiana State. He appeared in 11 of the team's 12 contests last year. A senior, McCoskey is looking to make a bigger impact in the trenches than he had last season. He provides the Boilermakers with a big frame and experience along the offensive line.
Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver De'Nylon Morrissette (8) smiles after scoring a touchdown. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Morrissette missed the entire 2025 season because of injury but is hoping to make a big splash in his return to the field. This will be the wide receiver's third season in West Lafayette, transferring into the program after the 2023 campaign. In 2024, he accounted for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 11 catches.
Purdue linebacker Charles Correa (5) sacks Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19). | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Correa is in his second season with the Boilermakers and was the heart and soul of Purdue's defense one year ago. He's the unquestioned leader on that side of the ball and has the potential to be an All-Big Ten linebacker . In 2025, Correa was responsible for 96 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 12 games.
Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Hudauri Hines (4) raises a hand. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Hines is the only team captain who has spent his entire career at Purdue. He came in as a recruit in the 2024 recruiting class and is entering his third season with the Boilermakers. Last season, Hines played in 12 games and made 11 starts. He was credited with 33 tackles, nine passes defended and an interception.
Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Curt Neal (92). | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
Neal is the lone captain who did not play for Purdue last season. The defensive tackle does bring a lot of experience and leadership to this year's team, though. He spent the first three years of his college career at Wisconsin and played at Illinois last season before joining the Boilers. In his lone season with the Fighting Illini, Curt started in eight games and played in all 12. He accounted for 15 tackles.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/purdue as Purdue Football Names 6 Team Captains for 2026 Season .
