Boaz StanleyBREAKING: South Carolina transfer OL Boaz Stanley has signed with Purdue, @PeteNakos reports 🚂https://t.co/kSYG7dZ8sR pic.twitter.com/e2Xp54Z3Ot

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 8, 2026

Transfer Portal Rankings: 3*(88) – National Rank: 313 – Linebacker Rank: 23

Stanley played his last two seasons of high school ball right down the road from me at North Oconee High School, in Bogart, Georgia, which is essentially an outpost of Athens. He was second-team all-state as a junior and first-team all-state as a senior, and I can assure you, football is taken seriously around these parts.

After being under-recruited coming out of high school, Stanley spent his first post-high school season at Georgia Military Academy, where he earned All-American honors.

Every decent offensive line needs a functional center, and that’s what Purdue is getting with Stanley. He’s the plug-and-play starter on day 1 and was a priority pick-up for the Boilermakers in the portal. He’s a big dude who moves well enough and has been particularly stout in pass protection over his career. He has played some tackle and guard as well, but he’s going to be doing nothing but snapping for Purdue.

It’s hard to evaluate offensive linemen because so much of their value comes from how they work with the other linemen on the team. As the center, it’s going to be Stanley’s job to bring the newly constituted offensive line up to speed as quickly as possible. He’ll be making the protection calls and making the adjustments at the line. The Boilermakers have significantly more talent on the offensive line this season. It’s all going to come down to how quickly they can gel.

If they do gel and turn into a competent unit, Stanley will play a substantial role in the progress. Out of all the offensive linemen, Stanley may be the most irreplaceable. Purdue needs him to be good.