'25 Portal Thread

[DaddyChad]

Lol plenty talked sh1t about him never being healthy. The whole Bishop is better saga. Bishop is serviceable don't take me the wrong way. However he isn't 1000 yard back in the SEC

Really is usually just a few DAs talking a lot. DAs love to flap them gums. I think most on the recruiting forum always expected big things from Seldon. I thought he might be our biggest get on the offensive side of the ball when we signed him. Still think if he can get healthy and get in an offense that gets him the ball in space he will be an awesome player.

Far as Bishop, idk he’s a great player. He has good vision, runs hard through contact, has enough speed to get in the end zone. I think he’s much better than he gets credit for. And he runs pissed off.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

I will miss Cam he is a good kid. Bishop is averaging 6.5 YPC as a freshman walk on, and too many people ignore real production. I’m confused on what Seldon has done here to get the benefit of the doubt over Bishop? To this point from what has actually been shown on the field yes Bishop is absolutely better.

Bishop is a natural bell cow that broke Henry's rushing record in HS with like 6,000 total yards and a milion TDs. He isnt quite as fast as Sampson, but he hits the correct hole very quickly with total abandon and runs over people when necessary. He is very good at getting the "plus 2" yards after contact that RB coaches squawk about constantly. He has good vision, lateral quickness, burst, and speed. He is very good at everything, but maybe not quite "great" when it comes to straight line speed. He will alternate drives with PLewis as RB1 next season IMO...and he has earned that. The hard way. Looked good in SEC competition this year.

As far as being "high mileage" thats a legitimate claim. I have said all year that for him to get surgery early last season and have a full year of great medical care, nutrition, rest, and SandC coaching is the best thing that could have possibly happened for him. Its the reason why he is a battering ram today despite not being a big back. The dude is just 100% RB, naturally, and obviously got some good coaching growing up. I love Bishop and absolutely believe he can run for 7 to 800 yards next season splitting carries with PLewis and could be close to a 1000yd back if he stays healthy and Lewis gets hurt at any point. The kid is tough as nails, a hometown kid that is all VOL. I am a big fan and hope he has a breakout year next year. Sampson was a 3* guy...it isnt all about star ratings from HS.

*** to my knowledge he has also never fumbled the ball away in Orange. Another RB whose name I will not mention cost himself probably a cool $million or more over his 3 year rookie contract fumbling in 4 games this season after going over 250? Carries without ever fumbling in his career.

 

[LaagerVol]

Only post I’ll make on wide receiver transfers..

We love Mike Matthews and think Chris Brazzell has barely scratched the surface of his potential. We want to give Staley every shot at balling out next year and Squirrel will be back.

We invested and recruited Travis Smith to be a day 1 type guy. Radarious Jackson might be one of the most freak athletes in the class but definitely more raw. Dodson elite burner.

We lost a lot of middling depth.

So people clamoring for a WR.. are we going to go pay to get someone and guarantee a starting spot? Ok.. well what does that do to Brazzell, Matthews, Staley, Squirrel and Smith. They won’t be happy and is that a good investment? I’d prefer to spend money elsewhere.

Do we go get a depth piece just to have it? I’d prefer to give the younger guys a shot if we get forced to. Remember we’ve run a short rotation in the past and can go 12 personnel.

You can disagree but that’s the logic. If any of the folks I mentioned unexpectedly leave then sure we’ll go big here.

I like that thought process. Hopefully OL is getting closer to that as well. Well, the entire roster.

 

[bpalmer28]

@Plove23 just wanted to thank you for all the insights you’ve brought to the board. Hope you stick around. Cam’s decision doesn’t change the fact that I’m a huge fan. I look forward to following his career and wish him great success.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Sucks for bama

Recently rewatched the game against them this year and he missed some time in that game because of an injury and the announcers talked about how valuable he was for their defense.

Also, reading the on3 forum - this one wasn’t expected and the fans aren’t taking it well.

 

[Vol423]

Sucks for bama

Recently rewatched the game against them this year and he missed some time in that game because of an injury and the announcers talked about how valuable he was for their defense.

Also, reading the on3 forum - this one wasn’t expected and the fans aren’t taking it well.

Good

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Well I’m explaining the logic for next season so we’re literally opening up room for the young guys.

I love this. We will be deep at TE for the 1st time in the Hype Era next season to help us get over some of the bumps and bruises getting the young guys up to speed....but ALL FIVE WR we landed between 2024 and 2025 are gonna be ballers IMO. This position is usually hit and miss...see the three 4* guys transferring out right now...BUT all 5 of these young guys were at the VERY top of our board and we really, really wanted them. Healthy Squirrel will start in front of Staley at first, but Staley should get significant playing time in the slot next year. Brazzell and Matthews will be good from game 1. The freshman 3 will add depth. I love this strategy. It will pay off in a HUGE way in 2026 when all these young guys have another year under their belts, and Brazzell is a senior.

This sends a message to WR in the 2026 class as well: We are running with the young guys and developing our own WR at UT. Coupled with the #1 QB in the country in the 26 class...we should be able to land the top WRs on our board again. Excited about this.

 

[625 Gibbs Hall]

Off the top rope with a thunderous elbow smash..

The truth can hurt, but this is the truth.

 

[625 Gibbs Hall]

WR room has not been the same since Hyatt, Tillman and Velus.


They never play young WRs though. They have to sit behind the Nimrods of the world for some reason.

I don’t think these are the same type of freshman WR we have had lately. They are playmaking types. That being said, Squirrel actually played a lot and was featured quite a bit as a freshman. These are much higher ceiling receivers than he was, too.

 

[NighthawkVol]

We ain’t blowing a game to Miss State.

I didn’t think we’d blow a game to Arkansas, either.

And I sure didn’t think we’d blow a game to SC in 2022.

 

[DaddyChad]

Sucks for bama

Recently rewatched the game against them this year and he missed some time in that game because of an injury and the announcers talked about how valuable he was for their defense.

Also, reading the on3 forum - this one wasn’t expected and the fans aren’t taking it well.

U hate 2C it.

 

[RandomUTfan]

How so? A high potential player that’s been slowed by injuries with the belief that he could be the #1 back next year if he’s healthy going to the portal?
Given the success and production of the #1 backs in this system the last few years.

Makes a lot more sense to stay than go, IF he believes he can be the #1.

The scenario you describe isn't even how it works, to start with. Plus, we don't know whether Sampson is or isn't returning. There's not a clear path to starting with him here. Not for any of the other RBs. People always think they know what these transfers are thinking when they aren't in their shoes and can't possibly.

 

[VolGee4]

WR room has not been the same since Hyatt, Tillman and Velus.


They never play young WRs though. They have to sit behind the Nimrods of the world for some reason.

Yes, they have. Squirrel had 30 catches for 481 his freshman year. Matthews got behind because of pre-fall injury. Nimrod played as a redshirt freshman. Facts help.

 

[T2P_Priceless]

Personally, I wish they would give Seldon a shot at LB.

His instincts would kill it there. Already played WR and RB, so he is definitely athletic enough and at 6’2, 225 he is definitely big enough.

Prob too late to develop him there

 

[NighthawkVol]

I love this. We will be deep at TE for the 1st time in the Hype Era next season to help us get over some of the bumps and bruises getting the young guys up to speed....but ALL FIVE WR we landed between 2024 and 2025 are gonna be ballers IMO. This position is usually hit and miss...see the three 4* guys transferring out right now...BUT all 5 of these young guys were at the VERY top of our board and we really, really wanted them. Healthy Squirrel will start in front of Staley at first, but Staley should get significant playing time in the slot next year. Brazzell and Matthews will be good from game 1. The freshman 3 will add depth. I love this strategy. It will pay off in a HUGE way in 2026 when all these young guys have another year under their belts, and Brazzell is a senior.

This sends a message to WR in the 2026 class as well: We are running with the young guys and developing our own WR at UT. Coupled with the #1 QB in the country in the 26 class...we should be able to land the top WRs on our board again. Excited about this.

Only Webb and Leacock were 4 stars. Nimrod and Spillman were 3*s. And that was generous with Spillman.

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

Only post I’ll make on wide receiver transfers..

We love Mike Matthews and think Chris Brazzell has barely scratched the surface of his potential. We want to give Staley every shot at balling out next year and Squirrel will be back.

We invested and recruited Travis Smith to be a day 1 type guy. Radarious Jackson might be one of the most freak athletes in the class but definitely more raw. Dodson elite burner.

We lost a lot of middling depth.

So people clamoring for a WR.. are we going to go pay to get someone and guarantee a starting spot? Ok.. well what does that do to Brazzell, Matthews, Staley, Squirrel and Smith. They won’t be happy and is that a good investment? I’d prefer to spend money elsewhere.

Do we go get a depth piece just to have it? I’d prefer to give the younger guys a shot if we get forced to. Remember we’ve run a short rotation in the past and can go 12 personnel.

You can disagree but that’s the logic. If any of the folks I mentioned unexpectedly leave then sure we’ll go big here.

Exactly what I have been saying…. Just a little better

 

[T2P_Priceless]

Only post I’ll make on wide receiver transfers..

We love Mike Matthews and think Chris Brazzell has barely scratched the surface of his potential. We want to give Staley every shot at balling out next year and Squirrel will be back.

We invested and recruited Travis Smith to be a day 1 type guy. Radarious Jackson might be one of the most freak athletes in the class but definitely more raw. Dodson elite burner.

We lost a lot of middling depth.

So people clamoring for a WR.. are we going to go pay to get someone and guarantee a starting spot? Ok.. well what does that do to Brazzell, Matthews, Staley, Squirrel and Smith. They won’t be happy and is that a good investment? I’d prefer to spend money elsewhere.

Do we go get a depth piece just to have it? I’d prefer to give the younger guys a shot if we get forced to. Remember we’ve run a short rotation in the past and can go 12 personnel.

You can disagree but that’s the logic. If any of the folks I mentioned unexpectedly leave then sure we’ll go big here.

This gives me a lot of confidence. Love it

 

[BADGER_VOL]

Cripes how many transfers is !Bama up to???

I would’ve thought they could hold it together at least one more year…

But…

I be drooling

Oh the pain and anguish

 

[jvols1999]

All we need on the DL is depth pieces, especially with size and experience.

 

[hjeagle1vol]

 

[Purplehaze26]

The scenario you describe isn't even how it works, to start with. Plus, we don't know whether Sampson is or isn't returning. There's not a clear path to starting with him here. Not for any of the other RBs. People always think they know what these transfers are thinking when they aren't in their shoes and can't possibly.

My guess is that UT Didn’t think he was worth the cash he was wanting (Seldon)

 

[Midas]

I mean, if you cant average at least 5 yards per carry against Miss St, idk what to tell you

Peyton Lewis with a whopping 3.1 yards per carry.

Lewis needs to get better as well. That’s why I’ve continuously said we neeed a portal RB. Everyone worries about running someone off, why?? I’d understand if Lewis or Seldon had 400+ rushing yards, but they don’t.

True but we really didn’t get to see Seldon really at all this year. Only the first couple of games and UTEP. Maybe if healthy he would have done well but who knows.

 

[volinbama256]

Lol you are not bringing in any elite talent at WR with your top 3 positions solidified. It would be interesting to see if they can find a solid G5 contributor who is fine with the thought of being a role player on a playoff team. It appears that we will be a little thin at WR but we went the first 3 years with us using only 3-4 WRs so there is history there to show that we can roll with what he have. Also this presents a golden opportunity to get the higher level talent that we have brought in experience and development. This is something that was significantly hindered with bringing in transfers the last two years therefore we are in the situation we are in.

Roll with this two deep

Brazzell/Smith
White/Staley
Matthews/Jackson

If you do that this upcoming year there is a chance you don’t have to rely on the portal for a WR in the future.

Will be interesting to see if we bring Boo over to WR if we find ourselves in the situation we did this year several times with several starters dinged up. What’s gonna happen then? If this staff is “good” with losing 4 WRs and don’t feel the need to replace, then I can’t wait to see what they do if some get hurt during the season heaven forbid. This certainly isn’t a compete with the elite mindset of setting yourself up to win championships. Hopefully they pick up at least another to tier WR like we did with Thornton and Brazzell.

 

[BADGER_VOL]

Will be interesting to see if we bring Boo over to WR if we find ourselves in the situation we did this year several times with several starters dinged up. What’s gonna happen then? If this staff is “good” with losing 4 WRs and don’t feel the need to replace, then I can’t wait to see what they do if some get hurt during the season heaven forbid. This certainly isn’t a compete with the elite mindset of setting yourself up to win championships. Hopefully they pick up at least another to tier WR like we did with Thornton and Brazzell.

Would be interesting if part of the reason we may not sign a WR is just this fact

 

[MarcoVol]

Will be interesting to see if we bring Boo over to WR if we find ourselves in the situation we did this year several times with several starters dinged up. What’s gonna happen then? If this staff is “good” with losing 4 WRs and don’t feel the need to replace, then I can’t wait to see what they do if some get hurt during the season heaven forbid. This certainly isn’t a compete with the elite mindset of setting yourself up to win championships. Hopefully they pick up at least another to tier WR like we did with Thornton and Brazzell.

It is wild you think you know what it takes to compete with the elite and Heup doesn’t.