Drew has the inside scoop on the former Purdue Boilermaker wide receiver
Now that most of the dust is settled on the 2025 recruiting and transfer class, I’m going to take a look at the additions to the Wildcat roster, both through high school recruiting and the transfer portal. As a writer at Hammer and Rails, I’ve covered Jaron Tibbs since his time as a small forward/wide receiver at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. He seems like a logical place to start.
As a Recruit
Tibbs was a composite three-star recruit coming out of Indiana high school powerhouse Cathedral after a breakout senior season saw him bring in 61 receptions for 910 yards and 13 touchdowns on the gridiron while averaging 16 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds on the hardwood. He holds Cathedral’s career receiving yards record with 2,519 on 158 receptions and had 24 total-touchdowns; an impressive achievement considering Washing Redskins star wide receiver “Scary” Terry McLaurin is also a Cathedral grad.
On top of his production, Tibbs was a winner in high school, helping lead Cathedral to state championship wins in both football and basketball. He was named the 2023 Indianapolis Male Athlete of the Year over multiple current Division I basketball and football athletes.
At Purdue
Tibbs appeared in eight games for the Boilermakers in 2023, in part because Purdue’s wide receiver group, under first-year head coach Ryan Walters, was decimated by injury. Jaron pulled down five receptions for 42 yards in what was, in retrospect, a waste of eligibility.
He broke out in 2024, at least as much as anyone on Purdue’s beleaguered offense could break out. The Boilermakers once again found themselves with a rash of injuries at receiver, but Tibbs was a constant. He made twelve starts for Purdue, bringing in 25 receptions for 305 yards and two touchdowns. That doesn’t seem like much, but keep in mind, Purdue was absolute cheeks last season. I’m talking so bad had to provide my writers at Hammer and Rails time off to process their emotions after each game. We rotated writers at home games in an effort to spread the pain around.
Would you be surprised to find out that Tibbs led Purdue’s receiver room with his 25 receptions, and was tied for the lead in touchdown receptions with two? Well, he did indeed lead Purdue’s receiver room in receptions and was tied for the lead in touchdown receptions.
Skill Set
Tibbs is the type of receiver who is open even when he’s covered because of his physical style of play and jumping ability. You only need to watch him track the ball while boxing out a corner to see how his basketball skill set bleeds into his football skill set. He’s not a burner, but he’s fast enough to get the job done and at 6’3”, 215 pounds, he’s a load to get on the ground when he gets the ball in his hands.
He’s not limited to being a jump ball receiver and redzone threat though. If Purdue was going to get a first down through the passing game last season it usually required an amazing play from either Klare or Tibbs. One thing Jaron excels at is running out routes to the sideline and using his length to stretch out and make the catch while keeping his feet in bounds. Tibbs is a possession receiver with the ability to win contested deep balls, especially when matched up against smaller corners.
One other aspect of his game that is overlooked is his blocking. I’m going to guess it’s one of the reasons Kansas State targeted him in the portal. He has great size and is a willing downfield blocker. In 2023, he contributed more as an outside blocker for Tyrone Tracey than as a wide receiver. His willingness to block will be a huge asset in Manhattan.
2025 Prospects at Kansas State
I’d be comfortable with Tibbs being a day one starter for the Wildcats. His ability to block on the outside while giving Avery Johnson a physical receiver in the red zone and at the first-down marker will be an asset for Conor Riley to utilize. Tibbs is the sort of receiver who can fight through contact and pick up the tough yardage after the catch, which is often the difference between a first down and a punt.
I see him as the perfect complement to Jayce Brown. Keagan Johnson is a talented player, but his skill set replicates Jayce’s. Tibbs gives the Wildcats a receiver that can work the underneath zones while giving Avery a back-shoulder option on most plays. If a team wants to roll a safety over to Brown’s side of the field, leaving Tibbs on an island at the boundary position is a dangerous proposition for a defense. Losing a talent like Tre’ Spivey to the portal hurt, but Tibbs should bring a similar skill set to the table and is a significantly better blocker.
I anticipate Tibbs taking most of his snaps at the boundary position, but because of Purdue’s injury woes, Jaron played, and started, at all three wide receiver positions. You can move him around depending on what you need without having to substitute. Strangely enough, he enjoyed a good bit of success playing out of the slot for Purdue as a physical option in the middle of the field.