2025 four-star defensive end Jayden Woods has been on the radar of Purdue's defensive staff for some time now, dating back to before the new Boilermaker coaches even landed in West Lafayette over the off-season.

Woods was offered by defensive coordinator Kevin Kane in December, just a few weeks before he departed from Illinois to join Ryan Walters' new staff. Kane and outside linebackers coach Joe Dineen made Woods a priority at their new home, offering him with the Boilermakers in January.

That continued pursuit meant a lot to the highly-touted Kansas native.

"That meant a lot. That shows that it was genuine interest and not just throwing the hat in the ring, if that makes sense, but just showing that they have genuine interest," Woods told Boiler Upload.