10,000 kids in the portal

[LittleVol]

This is called “FOMO”
(Fear of Missing Out)

Kids think that the market is full of money.
What they don’t understand is that the number of slots on a football team has not changed comparative to their level of competition.
These kids are stupid.

And here is the MORE important thing.
The more kids jump ship for fortune as time expires, the EASIER it will get to land players because all 10,000 of these kids need new homes.

 

[VolDave53]

Too many participation trophies in their youth, followed by no training on the subject of integrity and work ethic. JMHO.

 

[LittleVol]

So all of you people crying and complaining- we will get plenty of new bodies on the roster. Some will undoubtedly will surprise.

And you all continue to make the same mistake of believing that we don’t already have talent.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

It’s crazy. It used to be they entered the portal because they wanted to start some place but now you got starters and would be starters jumping ship and they’re jumping from good schools

 

[General Jack]

Too many handlers and agents whispering in the ear of immature kids.

I heard Lance Heard is asking for $3M, which if true, is as outlandish as Nico's expectations.

 

[deezvols]

They’ll either make a payday, or learn a lesson that’s value does not include $.

 

[The Tall Gguy]

Time for players to have contracts and buyouts and performance based NIL.

 

[njvols]

So all of you people crying and complaining- we will get plenty of new bodies on the roster. Some will undoubtedly will surprise.

And you all continue to make the same mistake of believing that we don’t already have talent.

Yep, we have plenty of talent, and I suspect, if we land the right 7-10 players, it's quite possible to be heavily in the mix in SEC inn 2026. It's also scheme, fit and culture. JH talked frequently, the most since Butch, about how young we were in 2025. In portal era, whether CBB or CFB, it seems if you have the right talent and a healthy mix of "old talent", like we did on DL last year, you stand a much better chance of being relevant. Translation...we'll still be "young" next year, and need strong infusion of talented portal guys, especially on DL and DB positions to balance our young talent.

 

[VolBricks]

We need congress to make some rules.

 

[McDad]

We need congress to make some rules.

Please, no.

 

[GAVol]

We need congress to make some rules.

Or not

 

[GAVol]

The more kids jump ship for fortune as time expires, the EASIER it will get to land players because all 10,000 of these kids need new homes.

Yep… going to be a lot of kids sign late and bounce back to their old schools. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to go through some chaotic cycles before the market is set and the volatility subsides.

 

[BradstarVols]

College football is becoming less and less interesting to me as it becomes more and more based on money for the players. It's worse than the NFL now. At least with the NFL players have multiple year contracts so you can expect players to be on a team for a certain period of time

 

[volfan102455]

This is insane.

 

[SubVet676]

We need congress to make some rules.

It's too late for that, and in any event, Congress screws up many more issues than they fix. I trust Congress with CFB about as much as I trust Lane Kiffin with a deaf and blind hooker.

College Football...well, the FBS at least, is now the NFL Developmental League. And there is no getting that horse back in the barn. So just accept it for what it is.

I have no idea what the final product will look like. But the FBS is now the NFL minor league, and I expect that when they finally sort it out, it will be based on the NFL model when it comes to contracts (NIL) and free agency (transfer portal). And yes, there will be a Commissioner of the FBS. The NCAA will continue to exist, but it's role in the FBS will be diminished to that of a figurehead. And rightfully so.

It is what it is. If you don't like it...and for the record I don't...find an FCS or lower division team to cheer for.

We went with ETSU and Carson-Newman. Still a Vol fan...always will be...but I'm not wasting what time I have left, spending any more money on, or agonizing over the fortunes of a thing that no longer exists. We can spend an entire, enjoyable weekend in Johnson or Jefferson City, and watch football players play for the love of their team, for less than it would cost us just to park and watch a UT home game from nosebleed seats. For us, it's an easy decision.

But to each their own. Find what works for you, and enjoy it. Try to remember those days when watching college football was fun.

 

[207 others]

If you grew up in a bad area and likely had a family with not too much money and likely only have one chance in life one opportunity very low odd to go into the NFL this is kind of what I would do as well their salary basically pays for a house and a nice neighborhood and spending money for a few years

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

If you grew up in a bad area and likely had a family with not too much money and likely only have one chance in life one opportunity very low odd to go into the NFL this is kind of what I would do as well their salary basically pays for a house and a nice neighborhood and spending money for a few years

So...if you had 1 opportunity, 1 shot, to seize everything you every wanted, would you capture it, or let it slip?

 

[Allvols98]

This is called “FOMO”
(Fear of Missing Out)

Kids think that the market is full of money.
What they don’t understand is that the number of slots on a football team has not changed comparative to their level of competition.
These kids are stupid.

And here is the MORE important thing.
The more kids jump ship for fortune as time expires, the EASIER it will get to land players because all 10,000 of these kids need new homes.

It's really hard for me to blame a kid for chasing these bags. They will get paid more money in a year or two than I will make in 10.

My criticism, I wonder if the incentives for nil align with the goals of the coaches, players, University ,college athletics, and the fans. Right now it seems like the only thing nil awards is chasing a bigger paycheck.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

We need congress to make some rules.

Ahh yes, folks who only care about filling their pockets telling 18 years olds how to maximize their profit on their likeness and image.

What could go wrong…….

 

[BigBadVol]

It’s the agents selling the recruits and their families a bunch of BS in order to enrich themselves.

 

[Gandalf]

I really do feel like this is the year that everything shifts to the full all in money grab. Where it crosses the rubicon of destroying the game. Too many agents, family friends, etc now just trying to grab that cash - very few have any sense - a lot of peolpe are going to get hurt in the end. Will need an economic bloodbath to get the action needed to make changes.

 

[0311]

We need congress to make some rules.

I’m from the government and I’m here to help you!

 

[Ritzwatch]

When the income window for what one does is likely to only last for up to 4-5 years, I don’t blame every one of them for trying to maximize that income.

Of course, for those who take the risk and DON’T see the reward - I won’t feel bad for them. You want adult rewards? Deal with adult consequences.

Schools should adapt by adopting back-loaded, escalating NIL deals. Longer you stay, the more you are paid.

 

[1Big_Orange_Fan]

There will be a 30 for 30 on this in a few years once this gets figured out.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

This is called “FOMO”
(Fear of Missing Out)

Kids think that the market is full of money.
What they don’t understand is that the number of slots on a football team has not changed comparative to their level of competition.
These kids are stupid.

And here is the MORE important thing.
The more kids jump ship for fortune as time expires, the EASIER it will get to land players because all 10,000 of these kids need new homes.

While you’re telling us about the future, can you tell me if we get beat by Vandy next year?