'25 Portal Thread

#2,456
#2,456
Weezer said:
Are we like the only team that doesn't tamper? You see guys enter the portal and automatically be seen as locks to this school or that school, but that school never seems to be Tennessee. Are we being overly cautious due to being on probation?
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I think we’re just not going to get involved on the feeding frenzy on the portal. We’ve shown we’ll spend if we need to like on Heard last year. We’re happy to take interior dlinemen that are role players other places, get garner to coach them up and tell them to give everything they have in limited snaps bc we swap guys out so much. We’ve done so well in high school recruiting at positions like edge, and qb that we don’t have to chase those crazy expensive positions.
 
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#2,458
#2,458
TrippieRedd said:
Guess we ain’t taking a RB either 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣


Sorta get the sneaky feeling we may get Russell. Really wanted him last year. No other news with good RBs. Just kind of makes sense.

View attachment 706546
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I think we will take a RB, it's just not going to be one who is transferring to be the featured back somewhere. I'm just reading tea leaves and looking at the depth chart. Wish we knew one way or the other on Sampson, but I'm sure he hasn't even decided what he is going to do yet.
 
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#2,459
#2,459
Interesting that it seems OM still has plenty of money to throw around already early on to try and buy another portal class... Didn't go so well this year, so surprised they are already forking it over again...
 
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#2,460
#2,460
This might have been discussed, don't have the energy to flip through 99 pages. What keeps a team like OSU from going after a guy like Nimrod (as example) with the portal in full swing? He has been in the program long enough to give them the ins and outs of our offense, signals, etc. Chaz has entered the portal and I'm sure he is no longer involved with the team. Seems like it could be a very slippery slope.
 
#2,464
#2,464
This portal season will be very telling to the fans on how serious and dialed in this staff and admin is on really wanting to take that next step to get to a championship. We clearly now have gaping holes/depth issues in certain position groups, no one can argue against that, so it will be interesting to see what we do.

I personally think the days of doing more with less and "winging it with what we've got" mentality Heup had the first few seasons has now expired, even though he did an excellent job. He has proven that they can do an above average job of recruiting out of high school and have filled some spots with portal players here and there, being careful of the existing team chemistry of the current roster and pay grades... Now though, with another season under our belt and seeing where we fell short in certain areas of the game and still weren't quite there talent wise against some teams, they will need to step up and really get aggressive to get who they want to not only fill the gaps, but have the mindset to make it UPGRADES, which is certainly doable if we are willing to pay and play the game.

We take a lax approach again and let talent get scooped up where it could have helped upgrade this roster, and IMO it sends the message of ehhh, we're doing pretty good right now, let's just see what happens. With the clear rising costs of tickets/concessions and everything in between compared to other SEC schools, this isn't gonna fly and again, IMO, is the wrong approach that could end up biting them in the ass. We lose a few games next year like we did at Arky because we didn't have the talent on the field and could have gotten it if we wanted, it won't take long for the fanbase to take a step back.

Really hoping with all the funds we have at our disposal, our program being on the rise, in the playoffs, and making plenty of positive noise across all sports, this is the time to take advantage of our brand and go get who we want and indeed take that next step. We shall see soon enough!
 
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#2,465
#2,465
volinbama256 said:
This portal season will be very telling to the fans on how serious and dialed in this staff and admin is on really wanting to take that next step to get to a championship. We clearly now have gaping holes/depth issues in certain position groups, no one can argue against that, so it will be interesting to see what we do.

I personally think the days of doing more with less and "winging it with what we've got" mentality Heup had the first few seasons has now expired, even though he did an excellent job. He has proven that they can do an above average job of recruiting out of high school and have filled some spots with portal players here and there, being careful of the existing team chemistry of the current roster and pay grades... Now though, with another season under our belt and seeing where we fell short in certain areas of the game and still weren't quite there talent wise against some teams, they will need to step up and really get aggressive to get who they want to not only fill the gaps, but have the mindset to make it UPGRADES, which is certainly doable if we are willing to pay and play the game.

We take a lax approach again and let talent get scooped up where it could have helped upgrade this roster, and IMO it sends the message of ehhh, we're doing pretty good right now, let's just see what happens. With the clear rising costs of tickets/concessions and everything in between compared to other SEC schools, this isn't gonna fly and again, IMO, is the wrong approach that could end up biting them in the ass. We lose a few games next year like we did at Arky because we didn't have the talent on the field and could have gotten it if we wanted, it won't take long for the fanbase to take a step back.

Really hoping with all the funds we have at our disposal, our program being on the rise, in the playoffs, and making plenty of positive noise across all sports, this is the time to take advantage of our brand and go get who we want and indeed take that next step. We shall see soon enough!
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i agree
 
#2,466
#2,466
volinbama256 said:
This portal season will be very telling to the fans on how serious and dialed in this staff and admin is on really wanting to take that next step to get to a championship. We clearly now have gaping holes/depth issues in certain position groups, no one can argue against that, so it will be interesting to see what we do.

I personally think the days of doing more with less and "winging it with what we've got" mentality Heup had the first few seasons has now expired, even though he did an excellent job. He has proven that they can do an above average job of recruiting out of high school and have filled some spots with portal players here and there, being careful of the existing team chemistry of the current roster and pay grades... Now though, with another season under our belt and seeing where we fell short in certain areas of the game and still weren't quite there talent wise against some teams, they will need to step up and really get aggressive to get who they want to not only fill the gaps, but have the mindset to make it UPGRADES, which is certainly doable if we are willing to pay and play the game.

We take a lax approach again and let talent get scooped up where it could have helped upgrade this roster, and IMO it sends the message of ehhh, we're doing pretty good right now, let's just see what happens. With the clear rising costs of tickets/concessions and everything in between compared to other SEC schools, this isn't gonna fly and again, IMO, is the wrong approach that could end up biting them in the ass. We lose a few games next year like we did at Arky because we didn't have the talent on the field and could have gotten it if we wanted, it won't take long for the fanbase to take a step back.

Really hoping with all the funds we have at our disposal, our program being on the rise, in the playoffs, and making plenty of positive noise across all sports, this is the time to take advantage of our brand and go get who we want and indeed take that next step. We shall see soon enough!
Click to expand...
I dont think that's fair. 'Gaping holes', clearly the data doesn't support that claim. I would say fairly that LB, OL, and DL recruiting haven't been where we need it to be, relative to competitors Georgia, and Alabama. But we beat Alabama, so...not sure.

OSU will be a big test. But, iyam in order to win championships you need to upgrade OL, WR, and LB. And DL in '25.
 
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#2,467
#2,467
volinbama256 said:
This portal season will be very telling to the fans on how serious and dialed in this staff and admin is on really wanting to take that next step to get to a championship. We clearly now have gaping holes/depth issues in certain position groups, no one can argue against that, so it will be interesting to see what we do.

I personally think the days of doing more with less and "winging it with what we've got" mentality Heup had the first few seasons has now expired, even though he did an excellent job. He has proven that they can do an above average job of recruiting out of high school and have filled some spots with portal players here and there, being careful of the existing team chemistry of the current roster and pay grades... Now though, with another season under our belt and seeing where we fell short in certain areas of the game and still weren't quite there talent wise against some teams, they will need to step up and really get aggressive to get who they want to not only fill the gaps, but have the mindset to make it UPGRADES, which is certainly doable if we are willing to pay and play the game.

We take a lax approach again and let talent get scooped up where it could have helped upgrade this roster, and IMO it sends the message of ehhh, we're doing pretty good right now, let's just see what happens. With the clear rising costs of tickets/concessions and everything in between compared to other SEC schools, this isn't gonna fly and again, IMO, is the wrong approach that could end up biting them in the ass. We lose a few games next year like we did at Arky because we didn't have the talent on the field and could have gotten it if we wanted, it won't take long for the fanbase to take a step back.

Really hoping with all the funds we have at our disposal, our program being on the rise, in the playoffs, and making plenty of positive noise across all sports, this is the time to take advantage of our brand and go get who we want and indeed take that next step. We shall see soon enough!
Click to expand...
I agree with almost none of this but I'll just pick out "take that next step..." My guy, what step has this program not taken yet that would prove to you it's all in on winning championships? I bet there isn't one. Because if you haven't figured out already we are in the elite category when it comes to having the ability to win titles, I doubt anything would convince you short of winning it, which isn't entirely out of the realm of possibility THIS year! There's a whole lot more wrong with this but I'm just going to leave it there.
 
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#2,468
#2,468
RandomUTfan said:
I agree with almost none of this but I'll just pick out "take that next step..." My guy, what step has this program not taken yet that would prove to you it's all in on winning championships? I bet there isn't one. Because if you haven't figured out already we are in the elite category when it comes to having the ability to win titles, I doubt anything would convince you short of winning it, which isn't entirely out of the realm of possibility THIS year! There's a whole lot more wrong with this but I'm just going to leave it there.
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Yeah, but counterpoint: hyperbole! drama! cynicism!

See what I mean?
 
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#2,470
#2,470
Jackcrevol said:
I dont think that's fair. 'Gaping holes', clearly the data doesn't support that claim. I would say fairly that LB, OL, and DL recruiting haven't been where we need it to be, relative to competitors Georgia, and Alabama. But we beat Alabama, so...not sure.

OSU will be a big test. But, iyam in order to win championships you need to upgrade OL, WR, and LB. And DL in '25.
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Who do you think will be our starting Oline, Dline/Edge, LB, and RB? Two deep? How many of these starters next year were starters this season and/or played a significant amount of time each game?

I agree "gaping" may have been a little excessive, what I was trying to show was how inexperienced the next wave of starters will be next season and their backups based on our current roster/who will be on the team 2025... When you isolate it, you can say we are still in a pretty good spot. But then think about it from the perspective of we are trying to win a championship, take that next step, and not just have a winning season and a good bowl... Now all of a sudden the numbers and lack of experience just doesn't get us close to where we need to be. The good news is we don't need much, but we DO need some elite talent in those key spots of need and not just picking up some depth from the portal for the cheap... They need to be making a difference/upgrade in position performance day 1 for us to take that next step.
 
#2,471
#2,471
volinbama256 said:
Who do you think will be our starting Oline, Dline/Edge, LB, and RB? Two deep? How many of these starters next year were starters this season and/or played a significant amount of time each game?

I agree "gaping" may have been a little excessive, what I was trying to show was how inexperienced the next wave of starters will be next season and their backups based on our current roster/who will be on the team 2025... When you isolate it, you can say we are still in a pretty good spot. But then think about it from the perspective of we are trying to win a championship, take that next step, and not just have a winning season and a good bowl... Now all of a sudden the numbers and lack of experience just doesn't get us close to where we need to be. The good news is we don't need much, but we DO need some elite talent in those key spots of need and not just picking up some depth from the portal for the cheap... They need to be making a difference/upgrade in position performance day 1 for us to take that next step.
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I'm going to define people who speak in glass-half-full terms about the roster as Pessimistic Roster people from now on. When you look at anything with your perspective you'll always see 'gaping holes' whether they are really there or are just gaps in your knowledge about the roster.
 
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#2,474
#2,474
RandomUTfan said:
I agree with almost none of this but I'll just pick out "take that next step..." My guy, what step has this program not taken yet that would prove to you it's all in on winning championships? I bet there isn't one. Because if you haven't figured out already we are in the elite category when it comes to having the ability to win titles, I doubt anything would convince you short of winning it, which isn't entirely out of the realm of possibility THIS year! There's a whole lot more wrong with this but I'm just going to leave it there.
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That is why I said it will be interesting to see what we do this portal season. This is a pivotal year to upgrade who we are losing. If we are fine talking about championships, but not really taking that extra step by upgrading talent we lose like our competitors who are in that elite/championship category, then it's just talk. We aren't willing to walk the walk.

If we go out and fill and upgrade the spots of need, no questions left, then yes, this shows we are serious about taking that next step and doing whatever is necessary to stay with and maybe even ahead of the competition to get that 'ship. That's paying the full price to get who we want and maybe taking a risk on chemistry and hope the coaches and team keep them in check... For huge rewards we all know there is always at least a little risk.

My Guy.
 
#2,475
#2,475
volinbama256 said:
Who do you think will be our starting Oline, Dline/Edge, LB, and RB? Two deep? How many of these starters next year were starters this season and/or played a significant amount of time each game?

I agree "gaping" may have been a little excessive, what I was trying to show was how inexperienced the next wave of starters will be next season and their backups based on our current roster/who will be on the team 2025... When you isolate it, you can say we are still in a pretty good spot. But then think about it from the perspective of we are trying to win a championship, take that next step, and not just have a winning season and a good bowl... Now all of a sudden the numbers and lack of experience just doesn't get us close to where we need to be. The good news is we don't need much, but we DO need some elite talent in those key spots of need and not just picking up some depth from the portal for the cheap... They need to be making a difference/upgrade in position performance day 1 for us to take that next step.
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Here's the Truth that few fans consider:

Just because some guys coming back who are poised to start/play major snaps next year aren't well known to us, that doesn't mean they aren't well known to the coaches. The coaches know what they have. They have a good idea who will develop and by how much. And if they determine that what they have and what those players will be in 2025 is better than what they'd get by going to the portal, they won't go to the portal...even if fans who don't know what UT has think we should.

We don't know what holes are "gaping." We don't truly know what our needs are. But the guys who recruited the current roster and coaches them every day...they know. Even if we don't.

So no, the activity or lack thereof in the portal says absolutely nothing about how committed this staff is to winning championships. To even consider that they aren't is absurd. The amount of portal activity will reflect how confident this staff is in the players coming back for 2025 and where there are immediate needs. That's it.
 
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