How Purdue’s QB legacy (and Drew Brees) led Hudson Card from Texas to the Boilermakers

How did Hudson Card find yourself in West Lafayette, Indiana? For a local Texan with a character akin to a surfer dude, a Midwestern engineering faculty does not precisely match the vibe. Touring over a thousand miles from residence in Austin and leaving the flagship faculty in Texas for a second likelihood wasn’t a part of the plan. 

In contrast to most of the greatest passers to return out of the state, Card, a top-five quarterback prospect within the Class of 2020 at Lake Travis Excessive Faculty, obtained the coveted cellphone name incomes a suggestion to the College of Texas. By each measure, he was on observe for school soccer stardom. New coach Steve Sarkisian tabbed Card to open the 2021 season as his first beginning quarterback, one of many highest profile positions in sports activities. Issues unraveled simply two video games into the 2021 season: Shaky play, lingering accidents, an incoming switch at season’s finish from savior-to-be Quinn Ewers, who then beat Card within the 2022 quarterback battle. 

As rapidly as Card’s goals appeared able to take off at his hometown college, he needed to begin his recruitment over. 

Then he bought a name from the patron saint of Texan quarterbacks: Purdue legend Drew Brees. The guy Austin native informed him about his expertise at Purdue, the place he developed into one of many biggest school soccer gamers of all time. He inspired him to make Purdue residence, which Card did in December of 2022. 

“It is fairly particular as a result of that is the identical journey that I am occurring in a approach,” Card informed CBS Sports activities. “Drew clearly means an entire lot to the Austin neighborhood, as he ought to, and the Purdue neighborhood.” 

Nevertheless, the story of Hudson Card touchdown at Purdue College is basically the end result of a 30-year story, courting again to the hiring of Joe Tiller and modernization of the unfold offense. However maybe greater than something, it is the story of a program that is up for something. 

“One factor about Purdue is that they have not ever been scared to be totally different,” Purdue offensive coordinator Graham Harrell informed CBS Sports activities. “Being modern, being just a little bit totally different, it is at all times been part of this place.” 

Setting the inspiration

When Tiller arrived at Purdue in 1997, he knew this system needed to be totally different to have any shot within the Large Ten. This system had not made a bowl sport in 13 seasons and had not received a convention championship in 30 years. 

And actually, that is why Purdue determined to gamble on a Wyoming coach who innovated the unfold underneath Dennis Erickson and Mike Worth. The Large Ten was a convention of muscle; a high-speed passing assault would by no means work within the Midwestern chilly (despite the fact that it simply labored in Laramie). In basketball-crazed Indiana, the employees bought it as Basketball on Grass. 

“That is what we knew, that is who we have been,” mentioned Georgia State offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, who was Tiller’s offensive coordinator at Purdue. “I believe it was lucky that we introduced our complete employees with us from Wyoming, so everyone sort of knew one another and we did not should relearn plenty of that stuff. We hit the bottom working from an X and O and camaraderie standpoint.” 

Serving to issues, Purdue had quietly been a QB manufacturing unit, even earlier than Brees. Bob Griese, Len Dawson and Jim Everett gave the Boilermakers one of many high collections of quarterbacks in NFL historical past. However to have success, Tiller’s employees needed to discover its personal. 

The primary-year employees had an honest quarterback to construct round that first yr, senior Billy Dicken. Jim Mitchell and Ben Smith each dedicated to this system. To run the passing system Tiller coveted, they wanted extra. 

By Chaney’s recollection, it was co-offensive coordinator Tim Lappano who first noticed Brees practising whereas scouting down in Austin. He was brief, however correct. The ball jumped out of his hand. He tore his ACL as a junior, however got here again to win Class 5A State MVP and lead Westlake Excessive Faculty to its first state championship. 

“Jim, I simply watched this child,” Lappano informed Chaney. “I assumed he was actually good.” 

Mockingly, the unfold aficionados needed to beat out the Air Raid innovator Hal Mumme at Kentucky for his companies, however Brees went on to remodel this system. After backing up Dicken as a freshman, Brees eviscerated the Large Ten file guide. In 2000, he threw for 3,668 yards and led the Boilermakers to their first Large Ten championship in 33 years. 

After all, Brees went on to change into one of many biggest quarterbacks in NFL historical past and the league’s No. 2 all-time passer. Over the approaching years, Tiller and his employees had their choose of underrated quarterback recruits. 

“There wasn’t a 5-7 white child on this planet that did not suppose they may come play at Purdue there for about 5 years after Drew,” Chaney mentioned. “Each brief quarterback might play for us, it was simply sort of the character of the beast.” 

Purdue’s employees created a large quarterback camp and labored with Texans from Chase Daniel to Todd Reesing. Even Harrell was recruited closely by Purdue as a highschool participant earlier than touchdown at Texas Tech to run the Air Raid. The prospect of throwing the ball dozens of instances within the Large Ten was a significant draw that introduced future NFL draft picks Kyle Orton and Curtis Painter to West Lafayette. 

Mentioned former Purdue quarterback David Blough, a fellow Texan: “As an undersized, underrecruited child who shared the identical initials as Drew Brees? The whole lot I wished to be was Drew.” 

Crosstown conflict

Whereas Brees and Card at the moment are united at Purdue, they grew up on reverse sides of a traditional Austin blood feud. Lake Travis Excessive Faculty and Westlake Excessive Faculty are separated by solely 12 miles, proper within the shadow of the Texas Hill Nation. The colleges have mixed for 10 state championships since Brees’ first ring in 1996. 

The brief stretch of Bee Cave Street is maybe essentially the most fertile floor of main school quarterbacks in America. Tremendous Bowl champion Nick Foles went to Westlake. Heisman winner Baker Mayfield went to Lake Travis. Sam Ehlinger and Cade Klubnik? Westlake. Garrett Gilbert and Todd Reesing? Lake Travis. The truth is, Lake Travis went on a foolish run of 11 consecutive quarterbacks touchdown within the FBS — and counting. 

Notable QBs from space rivals Lake Travis, Westlake

Todd Reesing (2006, Kansas)	Drew Brees (1997, Purdue)
Garrett Gilbert (2009, Texas)	Nick Foles (2007, Michigan State)
Baker Mayfield (2013, Texas Tech)	Tanner Worth (2010, Wake Forest)
Charlie Brewer (2017, Baylor)	Sam Ehlinger (2017, Texas)
Hudson Card (2020, Texas)	Cade Klubnik (2022, Clemson)

“Youngsters develop up desirous to be soccer gamers and desirous to play for his or her colleges,” Lake Travis coach Hank Carter informed CBS Sports activities. “Each packages have had state championship runs and lengthy custom. That will get children excited. They see it as younger children after they go to video games, go to state championship video games – after which they go on to play in them.” 

Card solely moved to Lake Travis from the Houston space earlier than his freshman yr of highschool. He spent his sophomore yr at large receiver, catching passes from eventual Ohio State signee Matthew Baldwin and placing collectively a 1,000-yard season subsequent to future New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson. In 2018, he moved to quarterback for good and threw 74 touchdowns in two years. 

“I can not overstate how freaking robust this man is,” Carter mentioned. “Hudson simply sort of places his thoughts in one other place. Most guys can try this. I am actually proud that he is bought a mindset that he needs to be there for his brothers.” 

When Harrell joined Ryan Walters’ employees at Purdue, it was instantly clear they wanted a participant to compete for the beginning job. Aidan O’Connell had simply left for the NFL Draft and the room was naked. 

Harrell was offensive coordinator at North Texas and USC when Card was going via his highschool recruiting course of, and Card dedicated to Texas rapidly. Due to how sought-after Card was, Harrell was not in a position to develop an in depth relationship with him. When Card went available on the market, although, Walters and Harrell have been in lockstep. 

“He was our first man we wished to go attempt to signal,” Harrell mentioned. “We bought lucky sufficient taht he wished to return play for us. From a expertise standpoint, he can actually spin the soccer. The intelligence half, soccer comes actually naturally to him. In all probability plenty of that has to do together with his highschool program, they did an excellent job.” 

The transition for Card was robust at instances as Purdue struggled to a 4-8 season in 2023. Nevertheless, his stats have been stable. In 11 begins, Card threw for two,387 yards and 15 touchdowns. He rushed for 5 extra scores and had 5 video games with a number of touchdowns. 

Purdue followers are extraordinarily passionate, however are additionally lots forgiving. Harrell inspired Card to lean on his nationwide presents to make performs for his crew, particularly because the offense slowly improved round him. At first, it was an adjustment. Ultimately, he discovered his confidence and grew to understand the magic of a spot that did not at all times have the stress turned as much as 10. 

“You are just a little bit extra underneath the microscope at Texas, I might say,” Card mentioned. “I had a shorter leash, in a way. I believe that is one of many the reason why I got here right here is simply so I might play free and have the power to do issues and make errors and have the ability to develop myself in that sense.” 

Texan connections

It comes as little shock that Texans are essentially the most prolific quarterbacks in school soccer. In keeping with CBS Sports activities evaluation, 16 Texas highschool soccer merchandise are beginning at one of many 68 energy packages. California (11) is the one different state with greater than seven. 

Chaney factors to the offenses which might be run at the highschool stage. It is uncommon to go anyplace in Texas and see a giant faculty crew that does not throw the ball persistently. Blough additionally notes the prevalence of 7-on-7 and flag soccer, which permits gamers to observe throwing and catching year-round, doubtlessly giving them 1000’s extra reps. 

“The whole lot’s greater in Texas,” Card mentioned. “We now have nice competitors down there, nice gamers, nice packages, nice coaches. They reside and die by soccer down there, so I believe it is simply the custom that Texas soccer has. You realize as a child, that is the place you need to be. You need to be the subsequent one in line.”

When Tiller was at Purdue, this system began a camp for elite quarterbacks to get on campus. It was at all times stacked with Texans. Hiring Harrell, an Ennis native and Texas Tech legend, has helped Purdue get again into the state. 

Brees and Blough each landed within the NFL from Texas. Three members of Harrell’s quarterback room at Purdue are Texans: Card from Austin, walk-on Jake Wilson from the Metroplex and freshman Marcos Davila from Midland. Card and Davila had loads of different affords, however the Texan connections helped grease the wheels. 

“Persons are simply totally different in Texas,” mentioned Caesar Davila, Marcos’ father. “It is sort of old skool — plenty of sure sir, no sir… West Lafayette sort of reminds us of again residence. It is a blue collar neighborhood, nice individuals, it is sort of a house away from residence.” 

However even 20 years after graduating, Brees nonetheless stays a constant determine in this system. When Jeff Brohm resigned to take the Louisville job, he fortunately stepped in as an interim assistant coach for the bowl sport. Even when the Boilermakers have been brutally unhealthy, he nonetheless saved a watchful eye. 

Blough dedicated to Purdue out of Carrollton Creekview regardless of the Boilermakers limping to a 1-11 season one yr earlier. Brees was busy throwing for almost 5,000 yards for the Saints. Nonetheless, Brees stayed in contact. After going 1-7 as a starter in 2015, Blough completed his profession by serving to the Boilermakers attain back-to-back bowl video games.  

“I bear in mind a number of instances once I was a participant, he would ship me encouraging texts after a tough loss or supportive textual content after we received,” Blough mentioned. “He was at all times attempting to select my head up and get me again on the market to steer the troops.”

Preventing for the Shillelagh

Let’s flip again the clock another time. It is 1997, the primary yr of the Tiller period at Purdue. The Boilermakers entered a Week 2 sport in opposition to No. 12 Notre Dame on an 11-game shedding streak in opposition to the Irish. A 36-22 loss to Toledo in Week 1 meant expectations have been low. 

However after a 99-yard first quarter landing drive, Purdue began to imagine. Then a second landing drive. Then a 43-yard scoop-and-score. The ultimate line for Purdue quarterback Billy Dickens: 26-of-38 for 352 yards to arrange three speeding touchdowns and a surprising 28-17 victory over the well-known golden domes. 

“They hadn’t achieved that, hadn’t overwhelmed Notre Dame in plenty of years,” Chaney mentioned. “It was sort of distinctive that we did and it was enjoyable from that time on. I sort of felt just like the gamers trusted that we knew what we have been doing.” 

The win went on to arrange one of the vital consequential seasons in program historical past. Tiller’s Boilermakers went on to win 9 video games for the primary time in 17 years, since Corridor of Famer Jim Younger coached this system. It kicked off maybe the best interval of success in progarm historical past. 

Even after shedding in opposition to Northern Illinois final week, Notre Dame stays ranked No. 18 forward of Saturday’s afternoon showdown (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS). The Boilermakers are on an eight-game shedding streak in opposition to the Irish courting again to 2007, when Tiller nonetheless led this system. The chance is just not misplaced on Purdue. It could possibly be the beginning of one thing. 

“I positively suppose there is a component of proving it or incomes respect,” Purdue coach Ryan Walters mentioned at his press convention. “I might be mendacity to you if I did not say this sport was circled on my calendar. We’re excited.” 

Maybe the most important stage comes for Card. In some ways, taking part in Notre Dame is a chance for him to reintroduce himself to a nationwide viewers that in all probability has not watched him since a gritty, gutty effort on a hobbled ankle — and in reduction of an injured Ewers — as he almost orchestrated a surprising Texas upset of Alabama in 2022. He performed among the greatest soccer of his profession to shut 2023, throwing six touchdowns with zero interceptions in wins over Indiana and Minnesota. In Week 1, Card accomplished 24 of 25 passes in opposition to Indiana State, tying the FBS file for the very best completion share by a participant with no less than 20 makes an attempt. 

When Card dedicated to Texas, he by no means thought his profession would take him 1,100 miles north into the Midwest and taking part in for an Irish strolling stick, which is the prize on the road Saturday. However at Purdue, Card is a product of all that got here earlier than him, the strains of Texans and nice Boilermaker quarterbacks of earlier than. 

Now, he has an opportunity to change into who he was at all times meant to be — the subsequent in line. 

“I would not change something for the world,” Card mentioned. “I discovered a lot about myself and I would not be the individual I’m right now if I did not undergo these instances. There have been plenty of ups and downs, however it made me the person who I’m right now.”