'25 Portal Thread

#4,926
#4,926
NighthawkVol said:
Grant and Reddick were in the 2022 class. That was Heupel’s first class (hay was in the barn on the 21 class when he was hired). They were what we could get at the
Click to expand...
Right now, today we are superlative at:

1- Targeting exact players we like.
2- Developing right relationships.
3- Getting kids on campus.
4- Getting an invite to the dance.

What we don't do well:
1- Widening our net, at key positions. Outside the box of going over talent vs guys like us.
2- Winning H2H battles vs usual suspects.
3- NIL battles.
4- Getting the dance.

I think idea do having a Spyre marketing Chief is gangbusters. Also, a Recruiting GM is great.

@BigSteve09 great ideas.

Take some of burden off of ya boyee Glen Ellarbee and Pope.

One thing is for sure. We need an infusion of talent, speed, shiftiness, and beef to get where we need to be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brillovol, ionaVOL, marcusluvsvols and 3 others
#4,928
#4,928
Jackcrevol said:
Right now, today we are superlative at:

1- Targeting exact players we like.
2- Developing right relationships.
3- Getting kids on campus.
4- Getting an invite to the dance.

What we don't do well:
1- Widening our net, at key positions. Outside the box of going over talent vs guys like us.
2- Winning H2H battles vs usual suspects.
3- NIL battles.
4- Getting the dance.

I think idea do having a Spyre marketing Chief is gangbusters. Also, a Recruiting GM is great.

@BigSteve09 great ideas.

Take some of burden off of ya boyee Glen Ellarbee and Pope.

One thing is for sure. We need an infusion of talent, speed, shiftiness, and beef to get where we need to be.
Click to expand...
I think that’s a fair take. Although, we have one some head to head battles with the big boys.
Beat Ohio State for Sanders, Satterwhite, Spillman, and Dye.
Beat Alabama and/or Georgia for Hobbs, Carter, House, Perlotte, Harmon, Matthews, and Gibson, off the top of my head.
Beat Michigan for Bennett Warren.

Sure, we might like to beat them for a few more head to head, but we’ve won our share.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 625 Gibbs Hall, Brillovol, LaagerVol and 8 others
#4,929
#4,929
Random thought this morning. If the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL all had one year deals and players could be free agents at the end of every season, those sports would be unwatchable and there would be one of 3 or 4 same ole teams winning their championship each year. That's what the NCAA is headed for as NIL sits basically unregulated right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brillovol, Scvol7906, tyonthefly93 and 3 others
#4,931
#4,931
RiseToTheTop said:
Squirrel just never got better

cant catch a pass without jumping, sure he's super fast but its completely straight line so your limited with what you can do with him. Really doesnt make anybody miss with the ball in his hands and on top of being made of paper mache you arent losing much here
Click to expand...
I think he would have really been a weapon if we had better outside WR's. Could have schemed him open easier with his speed.

Was odd how he was never an elusive guy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RiseToTheTop
#4,933
#4,933
Jackcrevol said:
Right now, today we are superlative at:

1- Targeting exact players we like.
2- Developing right relationships.
3- Getting kids on campus.
4- Getting an invite to the dance.

What we don't do well:
1- Widening our net, at key positions. Outside the box of going over talent vs guys like us.
2- Winning H2H battles vs usual suspects.
3- NIL battles.
4- Getting the dance.

I think idea do having a Spyre marketing Chief is gangbusters. Also, a Recruiting GM is great.

@BigSteve09 great ideas.

Take some of burden off of ya boyee Glen Ellarbee and Pope.

One thing is for sure. We need an infusion of talent, speed, shiftiness, and beef to get where we need to be.
Click to expand...
Great post and great points.

I disagree with the bolded though. For players we really want, we seem to come out on the winning end of the NIL fight a decent amount of the time (thinking of OSU fans saying we got Sanders because we came through on NIL).

I think our perceived weakness there is more due to the staff being less willing to throw around money like madmen, and wants to optimize their spending. If the number goes above our valuation, we’ll take the “loss” and move that money elsewhere.

It sucks in the moment, but that’s the right strategy imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brillovol, LaagerVol, jvols1999 and 3 others
#4,935
#4,935
Jackcrevol said:
Again, porthole movement isn't always the player's choice. I'm not sure why everyone forgets about the DB purge of 2023?

Self eval. What can we do to take next step?

1- Clear schollie room - which was always going to happen. 83 is the #. We are currently at 80, I believe.

2- Free up NIL $ - nail down current team, trim excess. Kids going to porthole likely isn't their choice. Each person constitutes a ship, and $.

3- Look at positions of need, and go after the best. Porthole closes in 24 hours. What is the plan going forward?

Here's what we know. We have needs. Staff nails down current roster before going hard and heavy. Essentially cant go hunting without any ammo.

We are in contact with some folks. Info will be given on an as needed basis. Per AP.
Click to expand...
I feel like I remember this exact portal/NIL panic happening last year on here. Same folks screaming about not spending early and we ultimately did pretty well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaagerVol, VolsAgainstTheWorld15, Orangeslice13 and 3 others
#4,937
#4,937
Vols410 said:
Great post and great points.

I disagree with the bolded though. For players we really want, we seem to come out on the winning end of the NIL fight a decent amount of the time (thinking of OSU fans saying we got Sanders because we came through on NIL).

I think our perceived weakness there is more due to the staff being less willing to throw around money like madmen, and wants to optimize their spending. If the number goes above our valuation, we’ll take the “loss” and move that money elsewhere.

It sucks in the moment, but that’s the right strategy imo.
Click to expand...
its the pro strategy
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vols410 and NighthawkVol
#4,938
#4,938
TrippieRedd said:
Imma just keep believing we’re gonna get the Branch brothers.

Haven’t offered any other WRs or safeties, if we have, didn’t seem too serious.

We find out Branch and UT has had dialogue, AFTER Squirrel announces his intent to transfer.
Click to expand...
I think the Squirrel news had more to do with Boo coming back and playing some offense IMO
 
  • Like
Reactions: OrangeEtBlanc and Lloyd_Christmas
#4,939
#4,939
orange parmejohn said:
Squirrel put in a lot of sweat at Tennessee. He has a young child and wife to support and a short window to make money for his family. I can’t blame the kid for trying to maximize his earning potential.
Click to expand...
great points.

i was hyper critical of him yesterday. truth is i'm in that situation with a young family. i would move heaven and earth for my kids.

squirrel was playing hurt. we had to pull him out. gamer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brillovol, midnight orange, Vols410 and 12 others
#4,941
#4,941
rockytop25 said:
I think the Squirrel news had more to do with Boo coming back and playing some offense IMO
Click to expand...
Could be, but Boo isn’t gonna play 15+ snaps each game on offense.

Branch would. Makes more sense for someone to leave if you’re bringing in someone that actually plays that position, but I guess you can look at it as Staley & Boo taking over Squirrel’s spot.
 
#4,945
#4,945
TheMookieMonster said:
Well…..OSU isn’t exactly the example I’d use to prove the model. They have an absolute freak in Jeremiah Smith. He isn’t your standard true freshman. I wouldn’t be this concerned if we had a Jeremiah Smith coming in but he’s a unique talent.
Click to expand...
I am not trying to prove a model. You are correct about Smith. There were an awful lot of people who considered Matthews the #1 WR in last years class, though, that included both Smith and Ryan Williams. I'd like to see if he can live up to that billing after a healthy offseason and starter prep. Same with Staley, who was considered one of the top slot guys. If Brazzell improves his consistency, he could be a good WR. He definitely showed some flashes IMO. I don't think we should panic over the WR situation just because we are low on returning bodies. All we really need is 1-2 of the guys to establish themselves as go to guys and we will not only be fine, but improved over this year's group. I think we have multiple guys who have that potential.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaagerVol
#4,948
#4,948
Jackcrevol said:
great points.

i was hyper critical of him yesterday. truth is i'm in that situation with a young family. i would move heaven and earth for my kids.

squirrel was playing hurt. we had to pull him out. gamer.
Click to expand...
He absolutely gave his all and people are just dogging him now because he struggled with a bad shoulder. I’ve separated my shoulder when young and it hurts like crazy. He battled like a dog when he should have probably shut it down and got healthy. He showed great promise as a freshman and lead us in receiving by a wide margin last year. I can understand him being a little hurt and feeling a little unappreciated for playing hurt all year. I get the staff has to make tough decisions in this crazy new era but a healthy Squirrel could play and actually did it. He’s also way more proven than the ones we will be relying on next year that are currently on the roster. With that said hopefully we get some dude’s that can improve the group from the porthole. I also have no idea what another team was willing to pay him. It would also make sense that him and Nico were good friends and Nico hated too see him leave. You can get really close with someone you play football with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brillovol, volfan4lyfe, C-town Vol and 2 others
#4,949
#4,949
Volnut said:
Random thought this morning. If the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL all had one year deals and players could be free agents at the end of every season, those sports would be unwatchable and there would be one of 3 or 4 same ole teams winning their championship each year. That's what the NCAA is headed for as NIL sits basically unregulated right now.
Click to expand...
When you hire Charlie Baker, former governor of Massachusetts, to be the supreme commander of the NCAA, this the predictable result! His incompetence knows no bounds. And Leftenant Sankey is right by his side, able and willing to do his bidding!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Volnut
#4,950
#4,950
deatojl said:
I am not trying to prove a model. You are correct about Smith. There were an awful lot of people who considered Matthews the #1 WR in last years class, though, that included both Smith and Ryan Williams. I'd like to see if he can live up to that billing after a healthy offseason and starter prep. Same with Staley, who was considered one of the top slot guys. If Brazzell improves his consistency, he could be a good WR. He definitely showed some flashes IMO. I don't think we should panic over the WR situation just because we are low on returning bodies. All we really need is 1-2 of the guys to establish themselves as go to guys and we will not only be fine, but improved over this year's group. I think we have multiple guys who have that potential.
Click to expand...

What? Matthews wasn’t even ranked a top 5 WR on the services we actually follow (he was #5 on ESPN and rivals - his best position rankings)

Jeremiah Smith was the #1 WR on every single service except ESPN where he was #2. He was also rated the #1 player overall in 3 of 4 services (ESPN had him #4).

Anyone who thought Matthews was the #1 WR was kidding themselves.

Doesn’t mean he can’t be a stud but Smith is indeed on a different level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: walkenvol, pricevol5, TheMookieMonster and 1 other person
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top