'25 Portal Thread

[Smokey'sHandler]

I’d rather let one of the young guys play. Only worth spending on a WR if we can grab someone truly elite.

Bingo. Do you bring in a transfer to put Matthews on the bench?

 

[Carp]

Good. Key is not that good of a WR. Don’t see why KC isn’t being pursued. We need playmakers at WR.

Because he's gonna get PAID. And he's likely a 1 and done guy. While it's a small sample size, we don't seem willing to pay top dollar for 1 and done guys. The top guys we get, we generally expect to be here for 2 years.

 

[Carp]

Key is better than KC

Lol no he's not.

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

Think we might see another WR hit the portal as well, also look for a couple more to hit the portal in the spring.

Any surprises? Should we take Leacock not going ahead and jumping ship after end of season discussions like Webb as a good thing?

 

[peaygolf]

Bingo. Do you bring in a transfer to put Matthews on the bench?

Only if he's better..........

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

Good. Key is not that good of a WR. Don’t see why KC isn’t being pursued. We need playmakers at WR.

We need to develop what we already have here. We have some good depth at the position get them on the field and develop them instead of investing time and effort to try to get production out of portal guys.

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

Only if he's better..........

How is he going to get better if you bring in Key to take all of the reps at his position for 1 year?

 

[peaygolf]

How is he going to get better if you bring in Key to take all of the reps at his position for 1 year?

In this day and age, I'll take one year upgrade every day. It's free agency every year. Win now!

 

[VolNash17]

In this day and age, I'll take one year upgrade every day. It's free agency every year. Win now!

Bingo. Gotta get as much talent as possible

 

[peaygolf]

Bingo. Gotta get as much talent as possible

I hate it...........but in 100% in now.
Everyone is replaceable.................

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

I hate it...........but in 100% in now.
Everyone is replaceable.................

Are you going to complain when Heup and Co. can’t bring in any top tier HS WRs?

That will be the byproduct of this type of mentality because why go to TN as a WR when all they are going to do is go to the portal and you won’t see the field.

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

Bingo. Gotta get as much talent as possible

Maybe this was the case in 2021 but dang guys we have a very solid roster right now with solid depth. The only position of need to “upgrade” talent for right now is IOL. Outside of that we have talent that’s better at minimum comparable to what’s in the portal.

 

[peaygolf]

Are you going to complain when Heup and Co. can’t bring in any top tier HS WRs?

That will be the byproduct of this type of mentality because why go to TN as a WR when all they are going to do is go to the portal and you won’t see the field.

It's gonna happen anyway, at every school........

and, yea, I'm being a little dramatic. If I can find a player, or two, that can help me win this year, then yes, I'm 100% in.

And I don't care which player that is..............

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

It's gonna happen anyway, at every school........

and, yea, I'm being a little dramatic. If I can find a player, or two, that can help me win this year, then yes, I'm 100% in.

And I don't care which player that is..............

Agreed the only two spots where that opportunity exists is on the Interior O Line. The Interior D Line maybe just because we rotate so many bodies.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Agreed the only two spots where that opportunity exists is on the Interior O Line. The Interior D Line maybe just because we rotate so many bodies.

I could see a Safety being able to come in and start with Brooks leaving…if it’s a big time portal guy.

I’d be tickled pink if our portal haul was:
2 OGs who can immediately push for a starting job
2 DTs who can immediately play in the rotation (like Moi and ONL did as transfers)
1 big time safety

 

[Vols410]

Lol no he's not.

I’d take Key over KC too.

Edit: for a year anyway. An extra year for KC probably makes it a wash.

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

I could see a Safety being able to come in and start with Brooks leaving…if it’s a big time portal guy.

I’d be tickled pink if our portal haul was:
2 OGs who can immediately push for a starting job
2 DTs who can immediately play in the rotation (like Moi and ONL did as transfers)
1 big time safety

Spot on! I think the safety would be icing on the cake. Not necessarily a need but I’d take it. One underrated need is LS as my boy and team captain Matty S is out of eligibility this year. I would die if I saw we got a Long Snapper out of the portal!

 

[Vols410]

I could see a Safety being able to come in and start with Brooks leaving…if it’s a big time portal guy.

I’d be tickled pink if our portal haul was:
2 OGs who can immediately push for a starting job
2 DTs who can immediately play in the rotation (like Moi and ONL did as transfers)
1 big time safety

I’m 100% on board with this. Can never have too much depth on the lines so get more. Also think safety could use a stud back there.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Former in state kid iirc. Not sure how hard we recruited him.

 

[Volnut]

View attachment 703850

Ah to be able to have Saturday Night Live be funny again!

 

[BbwVol]

Former in state kid iirc. Not sure how hard we recruited him.

We didn't. This kid had a fun thread on here for a while.

 

[jvols1999]

https://247sports.com/player/naeer-jackson-46129614/

Potential target per Patrick Brown. 2 year starter at both Guard spots, no sacks allowed. Two seasons to play (like Kutas).

 

[chavisut]

I have no idea what the staff thinks about the younger players on the roster, but from a pure numbers standpoint, DT seems a high priority.

 

[931Vol]

Good. Key is not that good of a WR. Don’t see why KC isn’t being pursued. We need playmakers at WR.

Key is much better than Concepcion in my opinion.

 

[C-town Vol]

1. We need interior OL. Just have had some gaps in recruiting and in this day and age there is no need to go into a season with a young OL if you can land a portal guy or two. ESPECIALLY with 2025 likely being the last year with Nico. Got to set yourself up to be in the playoffs while he is behind center.

2. On one hand it’s hard to pass up a high-level athlete at receiver, but like some have said it seems almost impossible for a guy to come in a thrive in the first year. Is that more about scheme / coaching or have we just not landed the right guys who were ready?

3. According to Hubbs and co. the staff really likes their young DL and the need for portal DL doesn’t seem as big going into 2025 as they would have thought at the beginning of the season.

4. Under Heupel, it’s seems the next man up at RB is physically and mentally ready to take a massive production jump when it’s his turn to be the feature guy. We’ve seen that with Wright and Sampson. I think between Bishop / Seldon / Lewis one of them will take that next big jump so a portal RB may not be a need.

5. If there is a special pass rusher in the portal you can land, you always try. With the way we rotate, extra pass rushers are not “luxury” they are necessity.

6. At safety I’m good to defer to the staff. We all griped about McCullough and the guy is playing well in the NFL. We were hand wringing about Brooks and he has made plays. If they don’t get a portal guy, we will be fine.