Collins Hill’s Katrell Webb has chosen Purdue over Florida State and Indiana. Webb picked up an offer from Purdue back in February and the pursuit and relationship continued to build from there. It all started with his very first visit which caught his eye immediately.
“From the first visit, Purdue just felt different. It had that mix of family and focus that I was looking for,” said Webb. “The people there genuinely care about you as a player and as a man. I felt seen, heard, and valued. When you know, you know—and Purdue felt like where I belong.”
He took an official visit to Purdue on May 30th and from that time he knew the energy was real. It wasn’t just football but a true bond with the coaches and players that went beyond the gridiron.
“Definitely the time with the coaches and the players. It wasn’t just about football—it was about real conversations, real energy. Seeing how the team moves, how they work, and how tight-knit they are… that stood out. Plus, the love I got from the staff and the vibe around campus—it made it all click,” said Webb.
I think the answer that’s really apparent when you talk to Webb was his desire to build something great and to build a program from the ground up. He could have chosen a storied program like Florida State which is known for having great football teams and a history of winning, or even Indiana, which finally got back to relevancy this past season and made its first College Football Playoff. Instead he chose to build something with Purdue.
“Purdue is on the rise. I didn’t want to just join a program—I wanted to help build something special. This new era of Purdue football is different,” said Webb. “I see where they’re going, and I want to be a key part of that shift—setting a new tone, bringing energy, and helping lead this next wave. We’re not here to blend in. We’re here to turn heads.”
His relationship with the coaching staff was also pivotal in his recruitment. He built a solid foundation with Jake Trump who was at the center of his recruitment.
“Coach Trump is my guy. From the jump, he kept it real. He believes in me and showed me exactly how I fit into his room and his vision. He’s about development—not just on the field but off it too,” said Webb. “That trust and respect goes both ways. I know he’s going to push me and bring the best out of me every day. Our front line room is pretty full so its not much recruiting I can do. We’re trying to build something strong at Purdue.”
With his recruitment behind him, Webb will know focus on the upcoming season. He has already built quite the legacy at Collins Hill. He is coming off a stellar 2024 campaign when he finished with 70 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hurries, and 13 sacks per MaxPreps. He also had a defensive touchdown, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
He put on a show in the season opener against one of the best teams in the state and eventual state champions, the Grayson Rams. Webb finished with eight tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks in a dominant effort. It was just a glimpse of what he can do when he gets it going, and when he does he is a freight train thats tough to stop. His disruptiveness and ability to wreck havoc make him special and shows why he is one of the best defenders to come through Collins Hill, and expanded on what the program means to him.
“It means a lot, man. That’s where it all started. Collins Hill challenged me and helped mold me into the player I am today. To be mentioned as one of the best defenders to come out of there—it’s a blessing,” said Webb. “I know I’m not done writing that story. I just want to keep repping the name the right way and inspire the next one up.”
With his senior year approaching fast, Webb is focused on making it one to remember with his teammates, with hopes of making it to the state championship. With head coach Drew Swick at the helm along with Webb and 4-star DL Deuce Geralds, the Eagles have one of the best defenses in the country.
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