Purdue football’s defensive front received a significant boost this week as standout Division II defensive lineman Josh Burney announced his commitment to the Boilermakers, according to On3Sports.
Burney, a graduate transfer from Fort Valley State, brings both size and proven production to a unit undergoing a significant offseason overhaul.
Burney, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman, capped off a stellar four-year career at Fort Valley State in Georgia, where he anchored the Wildcats’ defensive line.
In his senior season, Burney posted career-best numbers, tallying 20 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks. Over 28 games with the Wildcats, he amassed 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and blocked two kicks, establishing himself as one of the top defensive players in the SIAC conference.
His commitment comes as Purdue aggressively reshapes its roster under head coach Barry Odom. The Boilermakers have now added four defensive linemen via the transfer portal this spring alone, including Marcus Moore Jr. (Akron), Ian Jeffries (Arkansas State), and Breylon Charles (North Texas).
Burney becomes the 51st portal addition for Purdue this offseason and the 21st during the spring transfer window, underscoring the program’s intent to build depth and competition at every position.
Burney is expected to immediately compete for snaps in a rotation featuring returning talent and fellow transfers. His experience and disruptive ability should make him a valuable asset for defensive line coach Kelvin Green as Purdue prepares for the upcoming Big Ten campaign
