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Purdue loses starting defensive lineman to trasnfer portal

Cole Thompson

By Cole Thompson

Published:

Branson Deen won’t be sticking around to play for Ryan Walters in 2023.

Deen announced Monday that he would be entering the transfer portal. He will have 1 year of eligibility remaining with his next program thanks to the COVID-19 eligibility waiver granted to all players in 2020.

A 2-year starter for the Boilermakers, Deen recorded 26 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks in 2021. Last season, Deen totaled 27 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Earlier this month, Boilermakers coach Jeff Brohm announced that he would be leaving the program to take over for Scott Satterfield at Louisville. Walters, who served as Illinois’ defensive coordinator the past 2 seasons, was named head coach on Dec. 13.

The Boilermakers finished 7th among B1G teams in sacks (28),  8th in run defense (136.2 yards per game), and 9th in total defense (350 yards per game). Last season, Illinois ranked top 10 nationally in nearly every defensive category under Walters’ play design.

The Boilermakers finished 8-5, and represented the B1G West in the conference championship against No. 2 Michigan. Purdue will face No. 17 LSU in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. E.T. on ESPN.

Cole Thompson

Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Tradition who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.