Top 20 Purdue football players: No. 5 DT TJ Lindsey

Purdue has started preparations for the 2026 campaign, gearing toward the season-opener on September 4 at home vs. Indiana State. Let’s count down the top 20 Boilermakers as we march to the start of the season. TJ Lindsey’s 2025 season stopped before it had hardly started. “It was definitely tough, especially at first,” said Lindsey. “I felt like we were about to get on a roll and I was going to play a lot. But once it happened, all I could do was attack rehab and support the team.” The barrel-chested 3 technique defensive tackle suffered a torn ACL in his right leg against USC in the third game of the year. He subsequently underwent surgery and missed the final nine games. Now, he hopes his time has come. Lindsey eased into spring ball coming off the injury. Staffers didn’t want to take any chance of Lindsey aggravating his repaired knee, so he often was limited. “He’s a strong-willed, strong-minded guy,” said d-line coach Kelvin Green. “From the moment he got hurt—he popped back up, tried to go again—that tells you who he is. From surgery through rehab, he’s attacked everything. He’s a joy to be around, and it’s been great seeing how he works every day.” When Lindsey is cleared for full-go, he’ll team in the interior with Ian Jeffries to give Purdue a 1-2 punch with, well, some punch. The d-line will need it with Chops Harkless (Kentucky) and Demeco Kennedy (Louisville) having bolted. “I think me and Ian can be the best d-tackles in the country,” said Lindsey. “We’re similar but different. We both think we’re more athletic than the other—I say it’s me. But he’s strong, fast, smart. We both understand the game and communicate without even talking sometimes.” More: Join the discussion on Knucklehead Central | Subscribe to GoldandBlack.com for 50% off | Subscribe to GoldandBlack.com’s YouTube channel TOP 20 PURDUE PLAYERS No. 20: RB Jerrick GibsonNo. 19: LB Jojo HaydenNo. 18 WR Asaad WaseemNo. 17 DE CJ MaddenNo. 16 OL Nuku MafiNo. 15 DB John SlaughterNo. 14 DB Jaden ManghamNo. 13 DT Ian JeffriesNo. 12 DB Smiley BradfordNo. 11 WR Bisi OwensNo. 10 CB Hudauri HinesNo. 9 WR Xavier TownsendNo. 8 RB Fame IjeboiNo. 7 DB Don SaundersNo. 6 DE Elo Modozie