Sometimes, the game decides for you. Five seasons. Four programs. 70 receptions, 904 yards, and four TDs. He had lined up in the Mountain West, Pac-12, and Big Ten. Last year, he suited up for USC, appearing in three games and catching just one pass for 11 yards. His story was less about the stat sheet and about the relentless chase for opportunity. But opportunity, as it turns out, had its own plans.
This is the story of Charles Ross. He showed up at Purdue in January, fresh off a rollercoaster college football ride spanning Nevada, San Jose State, and USC. Despite minimal production, Barry Odom and the Boilermakers took a chance on him as part of their whopping 80 newcomer class for 2025. Unfortunately, that gamble didn’t pan out. After six fall camp practices, none of which he participated in, the HC confirmed the news. “Right now, he’s not on the team active,” he said. “That would be where we’re at with him right now.” The coach was blunt when he said it’s a health issue, and he doesn’t expect his player back anytime soon. So what exactly is going on?
In an X post on August 9, Pete Nakos dropped the reason behind Charles Ross’ absence with a caption, “Former Nevada, San Jose State, USC and Purdue wide receiver Charles Ross has medically retired.” He shared a post by the player himself written with a heavy broken heart. “To the fans, Honestly, I’m grateful for everything. God doesn’t make mistakes,” he wrote. “This wasn’t my outcome for football. Dreams. Aspirations. Lovers. Fans. Doubters. This is something I cannot control. All the relationships I built from this game, I’m forever grateful. My HEALTH forever comes first. I will be medically retiring from football. Love, C4.” It was a rare moment when a player’s love for the game had to yield to the body’s breaking point.
Former Nevada, San Jose State, USC and Purdue wide receiver Charles Ross has medically retired. https://t.co/y9mj9YkVJ4 https://t.co/iG2uM1ovNA
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) August 9, 2025
For a guy gearing up for his sixth college season, this must sting. Before the transfers, before the medical file grew thick, Charles Ross was a California high school phenom at Culver City High. 83 receptions, 1,554 yards, and 25 touchdowns and a school record for scores in a season (12). Rated as a 3-star, he had every reason to believe Saturdays would be his stage. And for a while, they were. He began his freshman season at Nevada in 2019 and redshirted without any action. The following season, he made eight game appearances and had a season-high two catches for 21 yards against Utah State before transferring to San Jose State in 2021.
Charles Ross shone brightest at San Jose State, earning All-Mountain West honors, pulling in 26 catches for 347 yards and a touchdown in 2023 alone. Yet, the dream hit an unplanned roadblock at Purdue. So where do the Boilermakers go from here? Purdue’s receiving corps still boasts names like Michael Jackson, Chauncey Magwood, and Nitro Tuggle, plenty of weapons for Barry Odom to build around. But losing a player with that frame and experience before the season’s first snap? That’s a blow. While his personal chapter closes, his now-former team’s story is just getting started.
Barry Odom is building a team ready to battle
Purdue is over a week into its fall camp, and Barry Odom is all about progress. Several practices in, including the first in full pads, and the Boilermakers are trending upward. “Looking top to bottom, really all three phases, we got better today,” Odom said after their sixth practice. “It was a test and through six days, we’ve gotten better every single day. Today was by far our best day.” The biggest wins are communication on defense, and the simple ability for QBs, WRs, TEs, and RBs to just catch the football. Elementary, but often the difference between a team that stumbles and one that flies.
Barry Odom loves this part of the year. “I love building a team and preparing them so they can go showcase really what they have their skills, put them in position to go play free and play fast and play confident,” he said. The competition is fierce. No one has a guaranteed spot. Every position battle is open, making for a camp buzzing with energy. QB remains the hottest ticket. Ryan Browne, Malachi Singleton, Bennett Meredith, and Evans Chuba are all duking it out, but no clear leader has emerged. “It’s every day,” he explained. “We’re just kind of adding it to the body of work… they haven’t even scrimmaged yet.”
Offensively, Purdue wants to protect the football, move efficiently, and be tough on third downs. Defensively, it’s all about alignment, communication, pursuit, and tackling. And special teams are about precision and execution. With so much still to prove, Barry Odom and the Boilermakers know one thing. The grind in August will define the fall. And despite losing Charles Ross before the season even began, the team is already fighting to prove they’re more than one lost weapon.
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