Rondale Moore, Former Purdue Football Star, Dies at 25

West Lafayette, IN — Rondale Moore, the electrifying wide receiver who redefined Purdue football from 2018-20 and went on to play in the NFL, has died at age 25, multiple reporters confirmed Saturday. Ahmad Hicks of FOX 9 in Minnesota was among the first to relay the news; authorities say an investigation is underway.

Moore’s arrival in West Lafayette was a lightning bolt. In his very first game he amassed 313 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against Northwestern, announcing himself as college football’s next superstar. The 5-foot-7, 181-pound dynamo never slowed, finishing his freshman campaign with a Big Ten-best 1,258 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches while adding 662 kickoff-return yards, 213 rushing yards and 82 punt-return yards. The honors rolled in: 2018 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Receiver of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten and All-America recognition.

The signature moment of his Purdue career came on Oct. 20, 2018, when the unranked Boilermakers stunned No. 2 Ohio State 49-20. Moore torched the Buckeyes for 12 receptions, 170 yards and two touchdowns, carrying the offense and igniting a campus-wide celebration.

By the time he left for the NFL after three seasons, Moore had piled up 3,094 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns, entrenching himself among the greatest players in program history. The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft; he later spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings.

Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue and now leads Louisville, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media: “Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor that would never back down to any challenge. Rondale has a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale and we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family and we love him very much.”

Former Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. expressed his shock online: “No way man!! Just talked to you. This one hurt my heart. RIP 4.”

Moore’s death leaves a void across the Purdue community and the broader football world, where his explosive playmaking and relentless drive made him must-watch television every Saturday. He is survived by a legacy of highlight-reel moments and the memories of a player who, for three unforgettable seasons, proved that greatness comes in every size.