Purdue defensive end Willie Lane announced via Twitter this weekend that he is in the transfer portal.

The 6-3, 265-pound sophomore never impacted in his two seasons in West Lafayette. The Winter Haven, Fla., native didn't play last season as he dealt with injury. And he played in only three games in 2018, making a tackle vs. Boston College.

Lane figured to have a difficult time cracking the rotation in 2020 for a Boilermaker line that was one of the more talented parts of the defense. The unit is transitioning to a 3-4 scheme under new coordinator Bob Diaco. There also is a new line coach in Terrance Jamison.

Sophomores George Karlaftis and Branson Deen project as the top ends, with seniors Lorenzo Neal and Anthony Watts at tackle. Sophomore tackles Jack Sullivan and Lawrence Johnson showed potential last season.

And after that, there is no shortage of promising youngsters up front, including redshirt freshmen Dontay Hunter (who was playing some outside linebacker in the spring) and Sulaiman Kpaka. And redshirt freshman tackle Steven Faucheux—a four-star recruit—brims with potential. Sophomores KJ Stokes and Jeff Marks along with junior Robert McWilliams are veterans who need to take the proverbial next step. And keep an eye on touted incoming freshman end Greg Hudgins.

Counting Lane, Purdue--coming off a 4-8 season (3-6 Big Ten)--now has what is believed to be 11 players in the transfer portal. Some already have found homes:

TE Darius Pittman, Jr. (Temple)

WR Noah Ellison, So.

CB Tyler Hamilton, So.

G/DT Alex Criddle, Sr.

WR Jordan Bonner, RSFr.

LB Ja’Qurius Smith, RSFr.

DL Giovanni Reviere. So. (Chattanooga)

CB Byron Perkins, RSFr.

LB Cornel Jones, Jr. (Florida State)

CB Kenneth Major, Jr.

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