Barry Odom secures first class of 2028 with verbal commitment from WR

Sarah Barber

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Barry Odom secures first class of 2028 with verbal commitment from WR image

The 2025 College Football Season has yet to officially begin, but Purdue is already looking ahead and planning for the program’s future.

It may be early, but the Boilermakers received a verbal commitment Friday from class of 2028 wide receiver Seven Rashad. Rashad is the first prospect to join Purdue football’s 2028 recruiting class, and announced his decision on Twitter.

*Commitment Alert*
6’5” 2028 WR headed to Purdue. Blessed!@BoilerFootball @Coach_Odom @Coach_Henson @DavidWayneSpur2 @Coach_Ford @PurdueAlumni @LifeAtPurdue @PurdueSports @CoachCondon16 @CoachApp35 @Coach_Davis22 @manleykyle @buford_football @CoachPears0n pic.twitter.com/38FP94CFtz
— Seven Rashad (@SevenRashad_WR) August 1, 2025

There’s still a lot of time between now and fall 2028 when Rashad would arrive in West Lafayette, assuming he sticks with this verbal commitment.

Last season at Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Rashad recorded 56 receptions for nearly 1,000 yards. If the wide receiver continues to perform well he could earn offers from more competitive Power 4 programs.

Because it’s still early for 2028 prospects, Rashad isn’t yet ranked by 247Sports, though he’s received offers from 10 other schools. Purdue is currently Rashad’s only offer out of the Big Ten Conference and one of two offers from Power 4 schools, along with the ACC’s Wake Forest.

He also received offers from Arkansas State, Florida International, Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Miami Ohio, Mississippi State, South Florida and UNLV. Rashad’s commitment pushed Purdue to an early 1st place ranking for its 2028 recruiting class, per 247Sports.

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It’s a good sign for head coach Barry Odom as he enters his first season with the Boilermakers this fall.

They got a tough projection in Cleveland.com’s Big Ten Preseason Poll, coming in 18th of 18 Big Ten teams, but Odom is focusing on creating a new era of Purdue football. He explained the “Purdue Way” at Big Ten Football Media Days in Las Vegas a few weeks back, which includes maintaining 16 core values as a program.

Clearly, something about Odom’s program resonated with Rashad enough for the wide receiver to make a commitment this early.

Sarah Barber

Sarah Barber is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. She is wrapping up an MS in journalism with a specialization in sports media from Northwestern’s Medill School. Barber graduated from Northeastern University in 2024 with a degree in journalism and English, plus a double minor in public relations and sports, media and communication. She spent over two years as a sports correspondent for The Boston Globe and has a background in athletic video production.