Defensive back and running back leaving Purdue football program

The departures continue for Purdue football.

Cornerback Josh Hayes, who just finished his sophomore season, said in a tweet Tuesday he is transferring. Running back Jack Wegher, too, is leaving the program, he told GoldandBlack.com.

Hayes played sparingly in 2017 as the Boilermakers gave senior starters Da’Wan Hunte and Josh Okonye the bulk of the game snaps. And Purdue used Kamal Hardy and Tim Cason as backups. Hayes played on defense in only one game, against Missouri.

As a true freshman, he appeared in nine, including making one start.

In a tweet, Hayes said he consulted with his family and thought it was in his “best interest” to transfer. He thanked former head coach Darrell Hazell and that staff for giving him an opportunity, as well as the current coaching staff.

“I am honored to have been a part of Boiler Nation and what it has made me into today, but I am also excited to see what is in store for me in the future!” Hayes said in a tweet.

Wegher didn't play this season and had surgery to repair a torn labrum. He transferred to UNI and said he hopes to play running back and wide receiver.

There have been a string of departures since Purdue finished its season with a victory in the Foster Farms Bowl. Offensive linemen Tanner Hawthorne and Jalen Jackson and running back Brian Lankford-Johnson all have announced they won't return. Eddy Wilson tweeted he was forgoing his senior season for the NFL.

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