'25 Portal Thread

#1,526
#1,526
TrippieRedd said:
Rather not have someone that averages 4.1 and only had 100+ yard game.

Only has two 100+ yard games in his career. Yeah, no thanks.
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This was a new offense after Kelly was fired. He averaged 7.4 ypc as a freshman and 5.3 ypc as the lead back as a sophmore.

And again, I don't think we should be looking for a true lead back in the portal because that would likely prompt either Bishop or Seldon (or both) to leave. I think we need just need an experienced upper classmen to split carries and be the primary 3rd down back. Basically be a 3 headed monster like Wright, Small, and Sampson were in 2023.
 
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#1,527
#1,527
LittleVol said:
True.

Still there’s a pattern there. It goes back from his time in Missouri - UCF- first 4 years at Tennessee.

To further the point you made. How many successful power backs do you see in college football??
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Not a lot of Derrick Henry type backs out there or even fullbacks at all anymore. Think a lot of that died out with wishbone and power-I at the onset of spread offenses. The best way to get yards is to not get caught. Still nice to have a big fullback-type back for 4th and 1 or goal line. We got stuffed trying to use Kitselman instead of a running back to punch it in because running vision is a lot different than blocking your assignment and catching. Never know when you will get into a 10 overtime game where you'll have to convert 8, 2-point conversions.
 
#1,528
#1,528
Carp said:
This was a new offense after Kelly was fired. He averaged 7.4 ypc as a freshman and 5.3 ypc as the lead back as a sophmore.

And again, I don't think we should be looking for a true lead back in the portal because that would likely prompt either Bishop or Seldon (or both) to leave. I think we need just need an experienced upper classmen to split carries. Basically be a 3 headed monster like Wright, Small, and Sampson were in 2023.
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First Point: That’s fair.

Second Point: This kid or another portal stud and Bishop. Don’t care about the rest. Seems like the coaches agree if we’re talking to Bothwell, who’s a freshman.
 
#1,529
#1,529
ConwayFitty said:
Not a lot of Derrick Henry type backs out there or even fullbacks at all anymore. Think a lot of that died out with wishbone and power-I at the onset of spread offenses. The best way to get yards is to not get caught. Still nice to have a big fullback-type back for 4th and 1 or goal line. We got stuffed trying to use Kitselman instead of a running back to punch it in because running vision is a lot different than blocking your assignment and catching. Never know when you will get into a 10 overtime game where you'll have to convert 8, 2-point conversions.
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There is one in portal. Braylon Russell. And we were 2nd place. Dude could be all world here.
 
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#1,535
#1,535
This isn’t directed at anyone in particular. But I want to point out that every year, fans on this board freak out because Tennessee isn’t as active in the portal as other schools. We don’t hear as much buzz about Tennessee in the portal as other schools. And every year, we end up with the portal class we need.

Heupel has made it abundantly clear that the soul of this program will be recruiting the right players out of high school and development. The portal will supplement depth and any remaining holes. Given that we have more depth and fewer holes right now than we ever have in the Heupel era, it would not surprise me at all to see a very small portal class. And that class will likely not consist of the biggest names, but solid players who fill needs.

I trust this staff to know what they need and go get it. If it’s not in the portal yet, they’ll be patient until it is.
 
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#1,536
#1,536
NighthawkVol said:
This isn’t directed at anyone in particular. But I want to point out that every year, fans on this board freak out because Tennessee isn’t as active in the portal as other schools. We don’t hear as much buzz about Tennessee in the portal as other schools. And every year, we end up with the portal class we need.

Heupel has made it abundantly clear that the soul of this program will be recruiting the right players out of high school and development. The portal will supplement depth and any remaining holes. Given that we have more depth and fewer holes right now than we ever have in the Heupel era, it would not surprise me at all to see a very small portal class. And that class will likely not consist of the biggest names, but solid players who fill needs.

I trust this staff to know what they need and go get it. If it’s not in the portal yet, they’ll be patient until it is.
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Agree wholeheartedly

Also, a vital guy Kitselman wasn't met with excitement because he didn't have the stars or notoriety of other players. I can admit that I'm an idiot when it comes to evaluation but not everyone can.

I remember people freaking out because we didn't get someone in place of Will Brooks. I was one of those idiots 😂
 
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#1,537
#1,537
Jackcrevol said:
There is one in portal. Braylon Russell. And we were 2nd place. Dude could be all world here.
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That's who we were talking about and I agree. He's proven and if an unproven guy on roster jumps because he commits then, oh well, at least you have the proven commodity. I'd take proven talent with 3 years of eligibility vs potential high ceiling with 4. Honestly if I was a coach I would take 1-2 RB recruits a year out of college and grab a portal one too, because most years you are going to lose 1-2 to the portal that are buried and you need 4-5 at least serviceable backs on roster. When we played Georgia this year they were on the 4th string back and he still performed. If Seldon or Keith had been our only non-injured backs we would be in trouble. Especially with how important RB pass protection is in this offense
 
#1,538
#1,538
TGMT said:
Unacceptable, frankly. Our fanbase pays more $ than any other in the country. It’s $800 just to do normal stuff like, I dunno, go to a rivalry game anymore. Ridiculous.

If you’re gonna take advantage of your hard working fans like we do, you need to invest back into the product. The fact we’re near the very top of this list is a slap in the face.
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You really believe that list?
 
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#1,541
#1,541
NighthawkVol said:
This isn’t directed at anyone in particular. But I want to point out that every year, fans on this board freak out because Tennessee isn’t as active in the portal as other schools. We don’t hear as much buzz about Tennessee in the portal as other schools. And every year, we end up with the portal class we need.

Heupel has made it abundantly clear that the soul of this program will be recruiting the right players out of high school and development. The portal will supplement depth and any remaining holes. Given that we have more depth and fewer holes right now than we ever have in the Heupel era, it would not surprise me at all to see a very small portal class. And that class will likely not consist of the biggest names, but solid players who fill needs.

I trust this staff to know what they need and go get it. If it’s not in the portal yet, they’ll be patient until it is.
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There are also lots of higher profile players who won’t enter the portal until they collect their December payments. So the pool of players to choose from will get deeper.
 
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#1,543
#1,543
VOLociraptorr said:
Agree wholeheartedly

Also, a vital guy Kitselman wasn't met with excitement because he didn't have the stars or notoriety of other players. I can admit that I'm an idiot when it comes to evaluation but not everyone can.

I remember people freaking out because we didn't get someone in place of Will Brooks. I was one of those idiots 😂
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Last year, we knew we desperately needed a TE in the portal. So we got Staes. Then, when we got Kitselman, the attitude was, “yeah that’s nice, he’ll be the 3rd TE and serve as insurance if either of the top 2 get hurt.” He turned out to be the starter. And a good one. And he may play in the NFL. I hate to think where we’d be without him this season.

Moi is another one who just kinda seemed like a luxury. They planned to redshirt him, but he turned out to be too good not to play.

This staff consists of some good evaluators…not just in terms of seeing talent, but in terms of seeing how that talent fits in with the rest of the team.
 
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#1,544
#1,544
Portal RB Rankings.

Stewart is a monster. Over 4 yards-after-contact per carry each of his 4 years but doesn't add much in the passing game and he's a one-year rental.

Give me Bothwell or Hardy. 3 years of eligibility, good enough in the pass game (receiving & blocking), and already really good rushers.


1733927810158.png
 
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#1,545
#1,545
Vols410 said:
Portal RB Rankings.

Stewart is a monster. Over 4 yards-after-contact per carry each of his 4 years but doesn't add much in the passing game and he's a one-year rental.

Give me Bothwell or Hardy. 3 years of eligibility, good enough in the pass game (receiving & blocking), and already really good rushers.


View attachment 705241
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Yes sir. Jump on the Bothwell train with me


Just prepared to be disappointed lol
 
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#1,547
#1,547
Vols410 said:
🚂

Won't be disappointed though. I wholeheartedly trust the staff in the portal. They've nailed their evals every year.
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Meant disappointed as in we probably won’t get anywhere with him.

Every time I really want a certain portal guy, they go elsewhere lmaooo





I agree, I trust the staff. They’ve killed it.
 
#1,550
#1,550
I like the portal because it helps teams, like us, reload year in and year out where high school recruiting can be hit or miss. Portal guys can be hit or miss as well, but it’s less likely because we go after guys who’ve already proven themselves in college. With the guys we got returning next year we gotta get guys on the offensive line to protect Nico. If we can protect Nico better next year, run the ball good again, and our receivers improve then I believe we can win it all next year… after we win it all this year 😉
 
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