Purdue's Dillon Thieneman Transfers to Top-Ranked Oregon

The standout safety and former Freshman All-American departs Purdue after a challenging season to join a College Football Playoff contender.

Dillon Thieneman, Purdue's standout safety and the top-ranked safety in the transfer portal, has committed to Oregon, the No. 1 team in the nation.
Thieneman, a sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining, earned Freshman All-American honors in 2023 but struggled during Purdue's 1-11 season in 2024.
Oregon secures Thieneman as part of its efforts to bolster its secondary ahead of the first 12-team College Football Playoff in 2025.
Thieneman's decision follows Purdue's firing of head coach Ryan Walters and the hiring of Barry Odom, with 22 other Purdue players also entering the transfer portal this offseason.
The move highlights the growing challenges for programs like Purdue to retain talent in the face of poor performance and competition from better-financed teams.