Purdue football's key offseason improvement may come from new offensive line coach Zach Crabtree, rather than player additions. Offensive coordinator Josh Henson emphasizes Crabtree's technical expertise and teaching ability as crucial for elevating the team's performance.
Key points
Zach Crabtree is the new offensive line coach for Purdue football.
Josh Henson emphasizes the need for technical improvement in the offensive line.
Crabtree previously coached at Fresno State and USC.
Henson believes Crabtree's attention to detail will elevate the team's performance.
Mentioned in this story
Zach CrabtreeJosh HensonFresno StateUSCOklahoma State
Purdue Boilermakers
WEST LAFAYETTE − Purdue football fans scouring bios of transfer portal additions may be skimming right past maybe the Boilermakers' biggest offseason acquisition.
Offensive coordinator Josh Henson pinpointed a need for Purdue's offensive line to become more technique based.
That led to Henson reuniting with Zach Crabtree, brought from Fresno State to coach Purdue's offensive line. Henson previously worked with Crabtree at USC and coached the former Oklahoma State standout when he played for the Cowboys.
"He’s a great technician and a great teacher. Every small detail matters to coach Crabtree and he is coaching it constantly all the time," Henson said after Purdue's spring showcase event on April 11. "And when you bring that type of attention to detail and competency to the room, it just elevates everybody in the room. And that’s what his effect has been since he’s been here."
Purdue junior defensive end Trey Smith, left, and Purdue senior offensive lineman Joey Tanona run out through the tunnel at the start of the Purdue football spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
The Purdue football team huddles up after a scrimmage during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Q&A
Who is Zach Crabtree and what is his role at Purdue football?
Zach Crabtree is the new offensive line coach for Purdue football, brought in to enhance the team's technical skills.
What did offensive coordinator Josh Henson say about Zach Crabtree's coaching?
Josh Henson praised Crabtree as a great technician and teacher, noting his focus on details significantly improves the offensive line.
How does Zach Crabtree's experience benefit Purdue football?
Crabtree's previous coaching experience at USC and with Oklahoma State equips him with valuable insights and techniques to elevate Purdue's offensive line.
What specific improvements is Purdue football looking for in their offensive line?
Purdue football aims to enhance the offensive line's technical skills and attention to detail under the guidance of Zach Crabtree.
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Ryder Smith wears his cousin's, Purdue junior linebacker Jojo Hayden's, helmet after the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue sophomore running back Fame Ijeboi runs past defenders with a football during a scrimmage at the Purdue football spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue senior offensive lineman Boaz Stanley, left, grimaces as Purdue senior defensive lineman Curt Neal grabs his jersey on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue junior running back Antonio Harris runs to a stop after a play during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue freshman wide receiver Brandon Kinsey runs past defenders on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue junior tight end Kylan Fox catches the football as Purdue senior defensive back John Slaughter reaches for his jersey on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue sophomore quarterback Evans Chuba runs with the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue senior wide receiver Xavier Townsend, left, ducks past Purdue senior defensive back John Slaughter during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue senior wide receiver Xavier Townsend runs to a stop with the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue junior wide receiver Corey Smith leaps for the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue sophomore defensive back Justin Denson Jr. tackles Purdue junior wide receiver Asaad Waseem as he reaches for the ball on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue freshman running back Izaiah Wright, left, celebrates with Purdue redshirt freshman offensive lineman Sankeerth Veluri after a touchdown during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue senior offensive lineman Jude McCoskey, right, grabs Purdue junior defensive end Breeon Ishmail's jersey during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue sophomore running back Carter Holsworth falls while protecting the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue junior tight end Kylan Fox tucks to protect the ball from Purdue freshman defensive back Emoni Smith on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue sophomore defensive back Justin Denson Jr. jumps over Purdue freshman defensive back Emoni Smith while chasing Purdue junior running back Antonio Harris during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue junior wide receiver Asaad Waseem, left, and Purdue sophomore running back Fame Ijeboi celebrate during the showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue redshirt freshman quarterback Garyt Odom runs with the ball on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue senior quarterback Bennett Meredith throws the ball on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue junior wide receiver Corey Smith runs with the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue junior wide receiver Corey Smith runs with the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue quarterbacks coach, Darin Hinshaw, talks with the quarterbacks, reflected in his sunglasses, after the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue sophomore quarterback Evans Chuba throws the ball on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue quarterbacks coach, Darin Hinshaw, reviews a play with Purdue senior quarterback Bennett Meredith on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue head coach, Barry Odom, walks across the field on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
A man walks through rows of empty seats on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue freshman defensive back Emoni Smith reaches for the ground after flying in the air during a tackle on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue junior defensive end Trey Smith, left, and Purdue senior offensive lineman Joey Tanona run out through the tunnel at the start of the Purdue football spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
1 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue junior defensive end Trey Smith, left, and Purdue senior offensive lineman Joey Tanona run out through the tunnel at the start of the Purdue football spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
2 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
The Purdue football team huddles up after a scrimmage during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
3 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Ryder Smith wears his cousin's, Purdue junior linebacker Jojo Hayden's, helmet after the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
4 / 29
Five Purdue football newcomers who stood out in spring camp
Purdue sophomore running back Fame Ijeboi runs past defenders with a football during a scrimmage at the Purdue football spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
5 / 29
Five Purdue football newcomers who stood out in spring camp
Purdue senior offensive lineman Boaz Stanley, left, grimaces as Purdue senior defensive lineman Curt Neal grabs his jersey on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
6 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue junior running back Antonio Harris runs to a stop after a play during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
7 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue freshman wide receiver Brandon Kinsey runs past defenders on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
8 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue junior tight end Kylan Fox catches the football as Purdue senior defensive back John Slaughter reaches for his jersey on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
9 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue sophomore quarterback Evans Chuba runs with the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
10 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue senior wide receiver Xavier Townsend, left, ducks past Purdue senior defensive back John Slaughter during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
11 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue senior wide receiver Xavier Townsend runs to a stop with the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue junior wide receiver Corey Smith leaps for the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
13 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue sophomore defensive back Justin Denson Jr. tackles Purdue junior wide receiver Asaad Waseem as he reaches for the ball on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
14 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue freshman running back Izaiah Wright, left, celebrates with Purdue redshirt freshman offensive lineman Sankeerth Veluri after a touchdown during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
15 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue senior offensive lineman Jude McCoskey, right, grabs Purdue junior defensive end Breeon Ishmail's jersey during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
16 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue sophomore running back Carter Holsworth falls while protecting the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue junior tight end Kylan Fox tucks to protect the ball from Purdue freshman defensive back Emoni Smith on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
18 / 29
Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue sophomore defensive back Justin Denson Jr. jumps over Purdue freshman defensive back Emoni Smith while chasing Purdue junior running back Antonio Harris during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Ryan Browne's growth as Purdue football QB among spring camp takeaways
Purdue junior wide receiver Asaad Waseem, left, and Purdue sophomore running back Fame Ijeboi celebrate during the showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue redshirt freshman quarterback Garyt Odom runs with the ball on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue senior quarterback Bennett Meredith throws the ball on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue junior wide receiver Corey Smith runs with the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue junior wide receiver Corey Smith runs with the ball during the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue quarterbacks coach, Darin Hinshaw, talks with the quarterbacks, reflected in his sunglasses, after the spring showcase on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue sophomore quarterback Evans Chuba throws the ball on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue quarterbacks coach, Darin Hinshaw, reviews a play with Purdue senior quarterback Bennett Meredith on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue head coach, Barry Odom, walks across the field on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
A man walks through rows of empty seats on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue football Spring Showcase
Purdue freshman defensive back Emoni Smith reaches for the ground after flying in the air during a tackle on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue did not upgrade its quarterback room through the transfer portal, but in this unconventional route may have upgraded at quarterback.
The Boilermakers graded out at 17th by Pro Football Focus in both pass blocking and run blocking last season, ahead of only Michigan State and Maryland, respectively. Purdue was last in red zone scoring percentage and 16th in scoring offense among Big Ten teams in Barry Odom's first year as head coach. Offensive line coach Vance Vice was fired after the season.
Crabtree's hiring brought a new approach, and an understanding of Henson's coaching.
"Him and coach Henson have the exact same mind," said tackle Jude McCoskey, one of 11 returning offensive linemen. "One will say one thing in the O-line room and we’ll go into the unit meeting and coach Henson will have the exact same expressions. It’s awesome to have an O-line coach and a coordinator that’s on the exact same page, same vocabulary, same terminology, and it’s really easy to be able to just hone in on the details whenever you have that."
Crabtree wasn't just coming with technique training.
Purdue recognized to upgrade what perhaps was its biggest weakness last season, it needed to make offensive line a high priority in the transfer portal.
The Boilermakers added five — two from USC, two from South Carolina and one from Oklahoma State — and signed four in their freshman class, three of whom Odom identified following the spring camp as having potential roles immediately when the season starts.
"We’re developing depth and guys that give us the ability to compete for positions," Crabtree said. "It gives you the ability to push one another from within the room."
Three transfers — Micah Banuelos at right guard, Nuku Mafi at right tackle and Boaz Stanley at center — were working with Purdue's first offense during the spring showcase. McCoskey, who spent last spring at Tulane after being a starter at Indiana State, hosted get togethers with the offensive line during the winter and spring in an attempt to build cohesion.
They've developed the same like-mindedness their offensive coordinator and position coach now share. Meanwhile, Crabtree's approach at fine tuning technique was prevalent from the first meeting.
Crabtree is a self-described "intense" coach, but his approach is already resonating.
"He talks real to all of us. There's no shortcuts," Mafi said. "No one is a favorite. Everyone is on the same level. We all get treated the same."
Purdue redshirt freshman offensive lineman Marques Easley (71) works on blocking during practice at Bimel Football Complex on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Purdue redshirt freshman offensive lineman Marques Easley (71) works on blocking during practice at Bimel Football Complex on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Since his NFL career with the Chargers ended prematurely due to an injury, Crabtree quickly developed a reputation in college football as an offensive line developer.
In his one season at Fresno State, the Bulldogs graded out by PFF as the 14th best pass blocking team nationally. If Crabtree can replicate that magic for Purdue, the Boilermakers may have upgraded starting quarterback Ryan Browne already.
That's before taking into account perceived upgrades among all offensive skill positions along with coaches applauding the returning starting signal caller's improved decision making.
"There’s a lot of excitement going on right now and I’m excited every day I come in this building because, it’s like, we can be very very good," quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw said. "We’ve got to go to work. We’ve got to put that work in and go build that chemistry between with us."
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
