Max Olson, ESPN Staff WriterDec 4, 2024, 08:18 PM ET
CloseCovers the Big 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of Nebraska
Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman entered the transfer portal Wednesday after two standout seasons with the Boilermakers, ESPN has learned.
The 6-foot, 207-pound sophomore earned freshman All-American honors and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023 after leading all FBS freshman defenders with 106 tackles and six interceptions. Thieneman also earned third-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press and was named the FWAA’s Defensive Freshman of the Year.
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Thieneman started all 12 games again this season and produced a team-high 104 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 7 pass breakups while also taking on punt return duties.
The Westfield, Indiana, native has two more seasons of eligibility and is expected to be one of the top safeties available in the offseason transfer portal cycle.
Purdue is seeking a new head coach after firing coach Ryan Walters on Sunday. Walters went 5-19 in two seasons, including 1-11 this year with a winless run through Big Ten play.
A player whose program goes through a head-coaching change is immediately granted a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal.
Purdue has had 10 scholarship players enter the portal since Dec. 1.