Purdue Lands Linebacker Transfer Jojo Hayden

Purdue bolsters run defense with transfer linebacker Jojo Hayden from Illinois. The six-foot-two, two-hundred-forty-five-pound redshirt junior, ranked as a three-star prospect, brings two years of eligibility and a thumper potential. Hayden, who helped his high school team win a state title, follows his former defensive coordinator to Purdue. He posted twenty-six tackles with one-and-a-half tackles for loss last season at Illinois. Fans and analysts compare him to Purdue legend Jawhan Bentley, expecting him to plug A and B gaps on early downs. With Purdues linebackers feeling too similar last season, Haydens arrival adds a different edge in the box. If he steps up, Purdues defense could finally dictate games and unleash their pass rush in 2026. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d8e82ce178d10996