'25 Portal Thread

[LaagerVol]

If Tennessee wanted Gooden, they’d have signed him in the first place.

But If he hits the portal he has to be good right? And if the staff doesn’t sign him it’s a massive failure.

 

[rockytop25]

 

[GVol1966]

You know what’s funny about all of the crying and teeth gnashing on this board? LWS is on the regular forum, keeping us apprised of the roster numbers. For those who don’t know, he has been an insider longer than anyone. He knows his stuff. And he has reported the following; Heupel really likes his roster. And that makes sense. His actions reflect that.

So while y’all are on here, screaming and crying and asking, where will we turn next, the answer is probably inward. We haven’t taken many portal guys, because we are being extremely selective. Because we don’t need them. Again…Josh Heupel likes his roster. Which means it takes a rare opportunity to make him want to change it. Pregnon was apparently one of those and we missed on him. So what.

If you want to be upset, I’m sure you’ll take that information and tell yourself that the man who knows his roster better than anyone (and who is more qualified to evaluate talent than we all are) is wrong for feeling good about it. We used most of our NIL to keep the guys we wanted on the current roster.

The truth is…the lack of portal activity is a good thing. Tennessee isn’t throwing itself at every shiny object that comes along because there’s no need to. They trust their evaluations, they trust their culture, and they trust their development. They like what they have. Maybe we should trust the guy who pulled this program from the trash heap and took it to the CFP in 4 years.

He may feel good about his roster and like his roster.
But by going after pregnon let’s me know he thinks we need another OL and not just a depth player, a starter.

I like our roster too! I also think we definitely need 2-3 more key pieces .

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

What about any coaching staff changes

Don’t count on it

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

Heupel likes the roster AND we will probably sign three more portal players. As for the numbers, there are some current players that know they will move up at their position or leave after Spring. This particular thread is too exhausting to service regularly, or engage in Q&A, but we are down the road with a difference-maker at WR, a guard/center, and a safety. With the WR, I know everyone is very tight-lipped for some reasons that will make sense after the fact. I’m not trying to be cryptic, but I can’t (and I assume others can’t) share anything until that one is on the dotted line. Additionally there are a couple of other players that are connected to possible departures by two high profile coaches. There are players we’d make room for, and specifically a very good RB has reached out. If a coaching move happens, he’ll come. There is a lot to shake out, but the signs seem to point to three additional signings between now and Summer, and possibly more. As for how I feel about the current state of things— keeping Boo and Matthews, and others who entertained leaving, is huge. I think our WR room has more promise than we are acknowledging. I’m a bigger fan of Jefferson than many, and I continue to think he, Matthews and Staley are very underrated. My only concern is that the three guys were heavily pursuing are all in bets with no backup plan. In fairness, this staff has done very well delivering on a focused portal plan to date. I think they will again this year.

I’ve always been a fan of yours since the Gruden days when you first got your insider status. You’ve always shot it straight with no BS. That said, I’m curious on the WR: is it safe to say that individual is not in the portal yet? Or if you can’t answer that question, can you at least clarify what you mean by “down the road”? I feel that can be taken a lot of different ways so would appreciate some clarity there. Keep up the great work!

 

[GVol1966]

Some of the geniuses of VN about to lose their minds

Why?

 

[LaagerVol]

Well, it's much easier to just assume our coaches are just trash, nobody wants to play for them, and our NIL is an overhyped joke. Also, they are not even remotely serious about winning.

You forgot to mention they are getting stuffed in a locker

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

I have it on good authority that the reason we have been willing to spend so little and thus been so inactive in the porthole is because we spent all of that money on bringing James Pearce Jr back for one more year. Just been keeping it quite so others wouldn’t transfer out.

And by good authority I mean I just made this sh!t up.

Hey man, you’re right till you’re wrong

 

[buffaloblue]

Here’s the thing about the portal. Besides what I would call extraordinary players, transfers have to fit within your current NIL structure.

If they don’t, sometimes you have to move on, give everyone else in similar stature raises within the position group, or deal with a pretty frustrated locker room.

From what I have gathered we are very much built on fit and NIL structure to sustain long term success.

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

Are you always this dramatic?

Like you?

 

[Adam Sandler]

Like you?

@VolFreakJosh

 

[BigorangeBoy]

You forgot to mention they are getting stuffed in a locker

Doesn’t that line belong to SinkToTheBottom?

 

[85SugarVol]

Later.

In all seriousness, I know how frustrating it is. Especially when nothing is a slam dunk to come to fruition. The waiting isnt fun for anyone

Careful, man. Snipers up on the ridge.

 

[85SugarVol]

Some of the geniuses of VN about to lose their minds

Loves the roster so much that he continues to take swings at the portal, and reportedly will continue to do so.

Two things can be true at the same time:

1. Heup likes the players he has, and is proud of what they and the staff achieved.
2. He recognizes to get where they (and we) want to get, his roster and staff will have to evolve (i.e., improve).

 

[PTSDVOL]

Im throwing a hail mary with the guess of lineman and rb, but Seaton and Hayden kind of fit, granted the fact Deion is flirting with the cowboys

lol neither will play for us. Hayden is literally slaw. Seaton is a tackle and we have two young ones that want to play.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

I’m starting to think that with Eason returning, Garner likes his DT room. Look for guys like Wallace and Robinson to make a jump year to provide rotational depth. And a freshman like Campbell or House or Utley might also be the 6th man in that rotation.

We have Gentle too. He redshirted. Also Lindstrom at Edge/DE. Ross is the only Dlineman that didnt redshirt from the 24 class IIRC. We were able to redshirt 3/4s of that class...which is great. We finally have depth pretty much everywhere. Our roster is now over 50% bluechip Top300 players for the 1st time in decades. We are young...but very talented

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Basilio lol

Why do so many laugh at people like Basilio and others? You act like they don’t know anything.

 

[RandomUTfan]

Why do so many laugh at people like Basilio and others? You act like they don’t know anything.

It's a total mystery.

 

[Kurtastrophe]

You know what’s funny about all of the crying and teeth gnashing on this board? LWS is on the regular forum, keeping us apprised of the roster numbers. For those who don’t know, he has been an insider longer than anyone. He knows his stuff. And he has reported the following; Heupel really likes his roster. And that makes sense. His actions reflect that.

So while y’all are on here, screaming and crying and asking, where will we turn next, the answer is probably inward. We haven’t taken many portal guys, because we are being extremely selective. Because we don’t need them. Again…Josh Heupel likes his roster. Which means it takes a rare opportunity to make him want to change it. Pregnon was apparently one of those and we missed on him. So what.

If you want to be upset, I’m sure you’ll take that information and tell yourself that the man who knows his roster better than anyone (and who is more qualified to evaluate talent than we all are) is wrong for feeling good about it. We used most of our NIL to keep the guys we wanted on the current roster.

The truth is…the lack of portal activity is a good thing. Tennessee isn’t throwing itself at every shiny object that comes along because there’s no need to. They trust their evaluations, they trust their culture, and they trust their development. They like what they have. Maybe we should trust the guy who pulled this program from the trash heap and took it to the CFP in 4 years.

Josh Pate and many others have touted that building from within is the foundation for success even in this new era. We want to see players stay and be VFLs and we get mad when benchwarmers leave and then we want to bring in mercenaries who are looking for one last bag because they are a new shiny toy.

Let’s see how this one plays out. I’m pretty sure the coaches are trying to maximize what may be Nico’s last year. And build the foundation for the next 5 star stud QB.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Dallen Hayden isn’t a difference maker like his dad, but I have such a high appreciation for his dad that it always bothered me that none of his sons played for us. If he came here as the one year rental, upper class man rotational guy, I’d welcome him home. Based solely on sentiment.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Seaton isn’t a G/C and he said a very good rb

Yeah, Hayden isn’t “a very good RB”

 

[AngryButchJones]

Watch, the RB will be Jeremiyah Love and it's dependent on Freeman leaving ND for the NFL.

It's not, but let a man dream lol

 

[TrippieRedd]

Only 4 guys I’ve heard being mentioned for another job are:

Freeman
Sark
Deion
Campbell

Guess we can look at those teams and guess who the players are.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Watch, the RB will be Jeremiyah Love and it's dependent on Freeman leaving ND for the NFL.

It's not, but let a man dream lol

At RB I THINK we are gonna wait and see what Spring window brings.

1 OL and 1 WR SHOULD happen by the end of next week.

Hope the waiting strategy pays off.

 

[Jackcrevol]

At RB I THINK we are gonna wait and see what Spring window brings.

1 OL and 1 WR SHOULD happen by the end of next week.

Hope the waiting strategy pays off.

My man.