WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Football held a walk-through on Friday to close out the practice portion of the spring schedule ahead of Saturday's Spring Showcase.
Offensive line coach Vance Vice was the final coach to take media availability in the spring season. He is a 35-year coaching veteran who followed head coach Barry Odom from UNLV after spending the last two seasons together.
His offensive line group features 13 returners and seven newcomers, highlighted by four additions from the transfer portal. Vice has taken an approach to spreading out playing time and opportunity throughout spring ball.
"I've moved guys from right to left," said Vice. "It's not always necessarily who your best five guys are physically, it's the five guys that work best together. It's the guys who can communicate and get on the same page… I'm excited about all of these guys because they are using every opportunity to get better at their craft."
Giordano Vaccaro is one of the linemen that joined Purdue out of the transfer portal. He was a star at the University of Manitoba where he was named U SPORTS and Canada West Lineman of the Year. A guard at his previous collegiate stop, Vaccaro has expanded his positional availability to center throughout the spring season.
"Transitioning over here, I knew I was going to make the transition to center," said Vaccaro. "To get a shot at the next level, that would be my position for sure… I believe it's my height and measurables, and I can really strike at center at the next level."
Joey Tanona returned to Purdue under the new coaching regime after 10 appearances as a rotational piece last season. After injuries lingered throughout his first three seasons, which included two missed seasons at Notre Dame, Tanona is excited about his strong spring season.
"I think it's helped a lot in my development," said Tanona about a healthy spring. "I've been a lot better at taking it day-by-day. I'm just ready to go play."
Getting a full spring season in, Tanona is confident that his game is growing as a result.
"My football IQ is a lot higher," said Tanona. "I'm back in the swing of things and playing at a higher level. I'm playing the best football I have."
Purdue closes out the 2025 spring season on Saturday at noon for the Spring Showcase inside Ross-Ade Stadium. The showcase is open to the public, and admission is free.
Offensive line coach Vance Vice was the final coach to take media availability in the spring season. He is a 35-year coaching veteran who followed head coach Barry Odom from UNLV after spending the last two seasons together.
His offensive line group features 13 returners and seven newcomers, highlighted by four additions from the transfer portal. Vice has taken an approach to spreading out playing time and opportunity throughout spring ball.
"I've moved guys from right to left," said Vice. "It's not always necessarily who your best five guys are physically, it's the five guys that work best together. It's the guys who can communicate and get on the same page… I'm excited about all of these guys because they are using every opportunity to get better at their craft."
Giordano Vaccaro is one of the linemen that joined Purdue out of the transfer portal. He was a star at the University of Manitoba where he was named U SPORTS and Canada West Lineman of the Year. A guard at his previous collegiate stop, Vaccaro has expanded his positional availability to center throughout the spring season.
"Transitioning over here, I knew I was going to make the transition to center," said Vaccaro. "To get a shot at the next level, that would be my position for sure… I believe it's my height and measurables, and I can really strike at center at the next level."
Joey Tanona returned to Purdue under the new coaching regime after 10 appearances as a rotational piece last season. After injuries lingered throughout his first three seasons, which included two missed seasons at Notre Dame, Tanona is excited about his strong spring season.
"I think it's helped a lot in my development," said Tanona about a healthy spring. "I've been a lot better at taking it day-by-day. I'm just ready to go play."
Getting a full spring season in, Tanona is confident that his game is growing as a result.
"My football IQ is a lot higher," said Tanona. "I'm back in the swing of things and playing at a higher level. I'm playing the best football I have."
Purdue closes out the 2025 spring season on Saturday at noon for the Spring Showcase inside Ross-Ade Stadium. The showcase is open to the public, and admission is free.