Portal Activity (News and Rumors)

#4,477
#4,477
cthvolsfan said:
Alabama transfer Luke Holman is fresh off of a busy week of official visits after making his way around the SEC to check out his top choices.

The coveted right-handed pitcher remains a major domino in the NCAA Transfer Portal with his final three schools making their push this week.

Holman, who is coming off of a stellar year for the Crimson Tide in 2023, had a slew of programs in his ear upon entering the portal, but could be nearing a decision.

LSU Country caught up with Holman to get an update on his transfer process

First Stop: Tennessee

Holman wrapped up USA baseball last week, took the weekend to think things through and immediately locked in on his recruiting process.

After trimming his list, Holman set a visit schedule with the Tennessee Volunteers getting the first crack on Monday.

Holman went up to Knoxville to visit with Head Coach Tony Vitello and the Volunteers for a one-night stay.

“It was awesome. The stadium was nice. The coaches were awesome and I felt really comfortable,” Holman told LSU Country. “[Tony] Vitello is awesome. The resources at any SEC school are going to be amazing so it was nice to see all of that.

“I think it was a great place like every place is a great place. I really have to dive in deep to see what’s best for me.”

The prized righty soaked in the scenes of Tennessee where he had the chance to meet with a few coaches and players before getting back on the road to check out Mississippi State on Tuesday.

Second Stop: Mississippi State

It’s no secret the Bulldogs have been active in the NCAA Transfer Portal. They’ve taken their fair share of swings at a few of the top players on the board and Holman is at the top of their list as well.

Holman checked out Starkville on Tuesday where he met with Head Coach Chris Lemonis and his staff before he and his father sat down to have dinner with the crew.

“Mississippi State is a big baseball school and you can tell by the stadium being amazing, the resources being amazing and I love Coach [Chris] Lemonis," Holman said. "So it was awesome getting to eat with them. I had a great time with them as well.”

The Bulldogs got the second crack at Holman, and after feeling things out, he then made the drive down South to Baton Rouge to see what the reigning National Champion LSU Tigers were all about.

Third Stop: LSU

The air is different in Baton Rouge after taking home the 2023 title and Holman got a taste of what this program is building during his visit with Jay Johnson.

Johnson gave his top target the red carpet treatment once he arrived on campus before taking him out to get a bite to eat.

“It was definitely different. They had their National Championship on the board and all that stuff. I felt comfortable there. It felt really comfortable,” Holman said. “The resources are amazing as well, as they are at all the schools, but it was awesome. Baton Rouge is a great place.”

Holman soaked it all in during his time in Baton Rouge, as he did at all of his stops, but to be prioritized by the Tigers means a lot to the Pennsylvania native.

“It’s cool seeing I’m valued and it’s cool seeing the champions are talking to me,"Holman said. "Jay Johnson is a great guy and it’s something… It’s pretty cool.

“He’s up front. He tells you what he tells you. You can tell he cares a lot about his players. He wants to do the best for the program and do the best for you as well.”

Not only is Coach Johnson giving his pitch, but even star freshman Gavin Guidry is pushing for Holman’s services. The two hit the golf course on Wednesday to get in a round and talk shop.

“[Gavin] is awesome. His golf game is amazing. I played pretty good and then I played with him and I didn’t play so well but he can tell you all about that,” Holman said.

It’s no secret LSU has Holman at the top of their wish list. As prized as they come in the Transfer Portal, all three of his finalists are turning up the heat, and Holman is certainly feeling the love from each of them.

A Fourth Visit?

There was a chance that Holman would make his way to Auburn or even check out another school this week, but he’s solidified his final three schools and how he’s weighing them equally.

“I got my top three and no one is above each other right now,” Holman said. “They’re all kind of the same. I’m checking off the list for each school like the pros and cons and how I felt when visiting.

"Every school I was at I liked it. I was at Tennessee and it was nice, I was at Mississippi State and it was nice. LSU was nice. We’re gonna get home for a couple of days and I gotta really think away from all of [the schools] and be like ‘this is best for me’ and just feel comfortable.”

What Comes Into The Decision?

It’s all about being comfortable for Holman. Aside from the resources and coaching staff, it’s about how he feels when on campus.

It’ll be a one-year stop and he’s making sure that wherever he lands, it’s a decision that feels best for him physically and mentally.

“Wherever I pick, I’m going to put the work in,” Holman said. “It’s one year so I want a place that I’m going to be comfortable with and I’ll put the work in in the fall and early spring and hopefully I can do my best for whatever team I pick.”

But the prized ace also wants to play under the brightest lights. He wants to win. He’s done it all his life and wants his final run at the college level to be with a program that can compete on the biggest stage.

“I want to be on a good team as well and I want to make the guys around me better," Holman said. "I want to play with guys who are going to make me better. The development is going to be there, but to be on a team with a bunch of good guys and push me is going to be a big thing for me as well.”

Holman will take some time to evaluate each school with his family over the next couple of days before ultimately coming to a decision. As coveted as they come, Holman will utilize the next week to piece together the puzzle before revealing his school of choice.

Zack Nagy
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SIAP. Couldn't figure out how to share here other than copy/paste. This was written by someone covering LSU for SI, so it probably has a slight lean to them to it. But some good info. Sure sounded like a TN and LSU battle to me.
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Excellent article and it will be interesting to see where Holman lands.
 
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#4,484
#4,484
TheMookieMonster said:
So is this bad news that you’re saying this now?
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No I still think vols. I heard he loved his visits to MSU and LSU too, but I know vols have felt very good all week.

I maintain that I will be surprised if he is not a vol by the end of the day Monday. And I think the staff would be too

Simply saying even if it doesn’t go our way they’re gonna be fine
 
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#4,485
#4,485
Proud Army Wife said:
He couldn’t stop gushing about LSU it sounds like.
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That was written by an lsu guy so of course he’s gonna ask more about lsu and put in anything to look good.

I think vols feel like he enjoyed his time a lot at both MSU and LSU, but they were the leader before the visits and he and his dad definitely loved their knoxville visit.

People around TN program believe he’s coming, but he hasn’t informed anyone yet so until he does it’s a guessing game. I do think if he doesn’t come to TN then it’s LSU
 
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#4,486
#4,486
Proud Army Wife said:
He couldn’t stop gushing about LSU it sounds like.
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It really does. But, as the poster said, that is the LSU mod he is quoting. What we're hearing are the highlights from the LSU perspective culled from answers to specific questions that themselvrs were meant, not only to report on, but also to reinforce the LSU trip. I can't believe it wasn't a powerful effort on LSU's part. But, we'll just have to wait it out. But not for long now, I guess.
 
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#4,488
#4,488
Zues1 said:
I'm hearing no decision has been made at this time.
Check back in here in 15 minutes for updates.
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I’m hearing pretty much the same, but advising everyone to check into this thread every 5 minutes for the next 3-4 days, because this thread will self-destruct shortly after the Holman decision. Then, most will not know the decision until the official roster announcement months away.
 
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#4,489
#4,489
cardvolfan said:
I’m hearing pretty much the same, but advising everyone to check into this thread every 5 minutes for the next 3-4 days, because this thread will self-destruct shortly after the Holman decision. Then, most will not know the decision until the official roster announcement months away.
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If Holman doesn't pick Tennessee, this thread will be full of finger pointing on why he didn't.
 
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#4,492
#4,492
TheMookieMonster said:
Yeah, because clearly if he doesn’t choose TN then LSU is paying him a ton of NIL money. Only reason why. 😛
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The mangy "can't recruit" types are like stray ball-park dogs lolling under the bleachers, hoping someone drops a bite of hot dog or handful of popcorn! 🙄😂

Vitello, Heupel, Barnes: none of them can recruit. 😂 The ball park strays will jump on any "miss" like it was the first food they've seen in a month.
 
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