First college start at 17 years old has transfer poised for Purdue quarterback battle (2025)

WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football quarterback EJ Colson thought he had prepared himself for his first collegiate at Central Florida last season.

He found out how wrong he was Oct. 12. Then-Golden Knights coach Gus Malzahn benched starter KJ Jefferson and turned to the 17-year-old freshman on the scout team who had yet to take an in-game snap.

“First meeting, coach said, ‘EJ, we’re going with you this week,’” Colson said. “I said, ‘Huh?’ It was a crazy feeling.”

Colson’s day ended before the end of the first quarter. He played in only one more game with UCF — the regular-season finale at Utah. When Malzahn left to take over as Florida State’s offensive coordinator, Colson entered the transfer portal.

The Georgia native came to Purdue not completely prepared for the weather. Tuesday morning’s practice, for instance, took place in a mid-30s chill. Yet he also arrived with the benefit of that eye-opening first start as he competes to make more of them as a Boilermaker.

“After that week, it kind of just opened my eyes to what college is going to be like,” Colson said. “Preparing my body, preparing my mind. Now I’m ready to bring it here.”

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Colson is one of three transfer quarterbacks — along with Malachi Singleton (Arkansas) and Evans Chuba (Washington State) — competing with holdover Bennett Meredith for the starting job. Colson followed his offensive coordinator, Darin Hinshaw, now the Boilermakers’ quarterbacks coach.

Listed at 6 foot 1, 215 pounds, Colson knows he is often tagged as a dual-threat quarterback. He emphasized he wants to throw first. After his rough opener against Cincinnati (1 of 4, minus-6 yards) he finished up better against Utah (8 of 12, 70 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 3 sacks).

Some of Colson’s NFL-bound former UCF teammates saw the makings of a starting quarterback down the road.

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Running back RJ Harvey said Colson threw the ball better than some of the quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart. Yet he also took note of how eager Colson was to learn immediately after arriving. Defensive back BJ Adams said Colson "can spin it for sure," but also saw how hungry he was to compete.

Kobe Hudson, the team leader in yards, receptions and touchdowns, complimented Colson’s timing throws and ability to put 50-50 balls away from opponents but still within his reach. He also recognized his intangibles.

“I always like how confident he was as a young guy,” Hudson said at February’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "I just like how he took to leadership.”

Hinshaw began recruiting Colson in 10th grade. He followed him as he started for three years, leading Cedar Grove High School to a state runner-up finish in 2022 and the championship a year later. He also led Cedar Grove to a basketball state runner-up finish before reclassifying to leave for UCF after his junior year.

“I knew he was a competitor,” Hinshaw said. “I know how he can throw the football. I know who he is as a person. And then on top of that, he graduated early from high school and skipped a senior year. So last year, he was 17 years old in college, and I know his best football was ahead of him.

“... As we compete for this job, I knew he would be a guy that could come in and we could win with."

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Colson said the previous Purdue coaching staff recruited him out of high school. He made a visit and was supposed to return to throw for the coaches. However, he had already committed to UCF. Out of loyalty, he opted not to make more visits.

One year later, he came to Purdue looking for a new start and an open competition.

“I’m here to win a championship,” Colson said. “I’m here to bring the Boilermaker pride back.”

Thanks to one surprise starting assignment, he has a better idea what it takes to make that happen.

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