Portal Recruits

[GrizgradCatFan]

Hayden Hanks is now available. Looks like he would be a great addition. Anyword out there on his recruiting?

[VimSince03]

Hayden Hanks is now available. Looks like he would be a great addition. Anyword out there on his recruiting?

Retired after his first year in Boise due to medical reasons, took this past year off, and now stated he's back ready to play. Also keep in mind our DT room going into next year:

1st Team: Talon Marsh (Jr.)/Zach Black (Sr.)
2nd Team: Hunter Sharbono (Jr.)/Josaiah Asuega (Rfr.)

These four all played this year.

3rd Team: Grayson Schneider (Rfr.)/Hudson Weins (So.)
4th Team: Jaren Perkins (Sr.)/AJ Tanupo (So.)

Incoming freshman: Gavin Walden and John Hurst

Schneider and Weins should be ready to contribute in 2026. Personally, I like our first four in the DL rotation. Hayden would have a healthy amount of competition. For some reason, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't pursue him.

[wbtfg]

Hayden Hanks is now available. Looks like he would be a great addition. Anyword out there on his recruiting?

Looks like hes battled injuries and actually medically retired at one point. Sounds like hes back healthy and giving it another go.

It will be interesting to see what opportunities he’s offered.

[BlueAndGoldNation]

I'd certainly go after Hayden Hanks. That would be a logical pickup after the losses of Brott and Eckert. We need more strong beefy guys up front, and I wouldn't be surprised if Hanks weighs more in 2025 than the 280lbs it says on the 2024 Boise State roster. Eckert (285lbs) and Brott (300lbs) this year have been tremendous for freeing up linebackers and clogging the middle. It was almost like playing with two 1 tech DTs when both of them were out there. It was pivotal in MSU being so successful in stopping the run on early downs. Of the returning guys, redshirt Freshman Asuega is the only one above 300lbs, with Marsh and Sharbono right behind him at 280, and Black at 275. They all have shown a lot of potential, but I would love to see another big guy, especially a highly recruited Montanan, come home and play for us and help us right away. Seems like a match made in heaven for us and it is totally worth pursuing him. I would hate to see him go to the other side of the divide and help that small/weak Dline for Bobby.

[BlueAndGoldNation]

I said this in another thread, but a guy that we should keep tabs on is Justin Lamson's best friend Derek McDonald, a 6th year LB out of Syracuse. Justin Lamson said in an interview that he is actively trying to recruit Derek and some of his other former teammates to come to MSU.

I know LB isn't really high up on our priority list, but he has shown some pass rush ability in his productive career at Syracuse. Maybe we could use him situationally on third down as a fifth rusher off the edge, or even transition him to just play on the edge as a DE. He is plenty athletic and strong enough to do so. If anything, he would provide depth, and leadership. He is a guy you can count on that has played a whole lotta games in the ACC, and it would make Lamson happy to get one of his best friends to come play with him one last time at a place where football means more.

Here is his link to his player profile, Bio, Stats and Sophomore Highlights reel as well.

Derek McDonald - Football - Syracuse University Athletics https://share.google/1kmlWfaOlM4aALitq

[BelligerentBobcat]

Our DT room is shockingly strong for an FCS school.

[AFCAT]

I said this in another thread, but a guy that we should keep tabs on is Justin Lamson's best friend Derek McDonald, a 6th year LB out of Syracuse. Justin Lamson said in an interview that he is actively trying to recruit Derek and some of his other former teammates to come to MSU.

I know LB isn't really high up on our priority list, but he has shown some pass rush ability in his productive career at Syracuse. Maybe we could use him situationally on third down as a fifth rusher off the edge, or even transition him to just play on the edge as a DE. He is plenty athletic and strong enough to do so. If anything, he would provide depth, and leadership. He is a guy you can count on that has played a whole lotta games in the ACC, and it would make Lamson happy to get one of his best friends to come play with him one last time at a place where football means more.

Here is his link to his player profile, Bio, Stats and Sophomore Highlights reel as well.

Derek McDonald - Football - Syracuse University Athletics https://share.google/1kmlWfaOlM4aALitq

Not sure he is needed, but he is followed by some of the coaches.

[RickRund]

Sure would be nice to know what was happening on the 6th.

[PapaG]

Sure would be nice to know what was happening on the 6th.

Some players will leave.

Some will stay.

Some posters will be very upset at those who leave. Others will defend their choice.

All posters will be happy when key players don’t leave.

Then it happens again after Spring Ball.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Sure would be nice to know what was happening on the 6th.

Some players will leave.

Some will stay.

Some posters will be very upset at those who leave. Others will defend their choice.

All posters will be happy when key players don’t leave.

Then it happens again after Spring Ball.

Correct.

What will really blow up the board is when the first Montana player transfers out.

[94VegasCat]

Sure would be nice to know what was happening on the 6th.

Some players will leave.

Some will stay.

Some posters will be very upset at those who leave. Others will defend their choice.

All posters will be happy when key players don’t leave.

Then it happens again after Spring Ball.

Us fans will be nursing a 41yr hangover.

[VimSince03]

I said this in another thread, but a guy that we should keep tabs on is Justin Lamson's best friend Derek McDonald, a 6th year LB out of Syracuse. Justin Lamson said in an interview that he is actively trying to recruit Derek and some of his other former teammates to come to MSU.

I know LB isn't really high up on our priority list, but he has shown some pass rush ability in his productive career at Syracuse. Maybe we could use him situationally on third down as a fifth rusher off the edge, or even transition him to just play on the edge as a DE. He is plenty athletic and strong enough to do so. If anything, he would provide depth, and leadership. He is a guy you can count on that has played a whole lotta games in the ACC, and it would make Lamson happy to get one of his best friends to come play with him one last time at a place where football means more.

Here is his link to his player profile, Bio, Stats and Sophomore Highlights reel as well.

Derek McDonald - Football - Syracuse University Athletics https://share.google/1kmlWfaOlM4aALitq

We absolutely would have a spot for Mr. McDonald! Edge Rusher or ILB...always need more quality depth the way Vigen likes to rotate his guys. He arguably could come in and be one of our starting DE's in our scheme. Then Solano and Brock can be the 2s. Would solidify our DE rotation.

As for LB, again if we have 6 good enough to play...Owens/Howe will play 6.

[catatac]

I'm really surprised Jake Vigen never really got there in terms of being a major contributor.

[MSU01]

Sure would be nice to know what was happening on the 6th.

Some players will leave.

Some will stay.

Some posters will be very upset at those who leave. Others will defend their choice.

All posters will be happy when key players don’t leave.

Then it happens again after Spring Ball.

All of this will happen except the last sentence, since there's no longer a Spring portal window starting this year. We should have a pretty good idea by mid-January of who's leaving and who's staying.

[AFCAT]

I said this in another thread, but a guy that we should keep tabs on is Justin Lamson's best friend Derek McDonald, a 6th year LB out of Syracuse. Justin Lamson said in an interview that he is actively trying to recruit Derek and some of his other former teammates to come to MSU.

I know LB isn't really high up on our priority list, but he has shown some pass rush ability in his productive career at Syracuse. Maybe we could use him situationally on third down as a fifth rusher off the edge, or even transition him to just play on the edge as a DE. He is plenty athletic and strong enough to do so. If anything, he would provide depth, and leadership. He is a guy you can count on that has played a whole lotta games in the ACC, and it would make Lamson happy to get one of his best friends to come play with him one last time at a place where football means more.

Here is his link to his player profile, Bio, Stats and Sophomore Highlights reel as well.

Derek McDonald - Football - Syracuse University Athletics https://share.google/1kmlWfaOlM4aALitq

We absolutely would have a spot for Mr. McDonald! Edge Rusher or ILB...always need more quality depth the way Vigen likes to rotate his guys. He arguably could come in and be one of our starting DE's in our scheme. Then Solano and Brock can be the 2s. Would solidify our DE rotation.

As for LB, again if we have 6 good enough to play...Owens/Howe will play 6.

But he wears that butterfly restrictor. How am I supposed to tell him and Zac Crews apart by just glancing at them?

[catscat]

I'm really surprised Jake Vigen never really got there in terms of being a major contributor.

Still time. When you are the coach's kid you havr to be noticably better than anyone else or folks think you're only playing because you're the coach's kid.

Edit: Unless you are Robbie.

[BelligerentBobcat]

I'm really surprised Jake Vigen never really got there in terms of being a major contributor.

I’m surprised that he’s worked his way up as high as he has. He has made a ton of improvement since coming out of HS.

[tetoncat]

Sure would be nice to know what was happening on the 6th.

Some players will leave.

Some will stay.

Some posters will be very upset at those who leave. Others will defend their choice.

All posters will be happy when key players don’t leave.

Then it happens again after Spring Ball.

All of this will happen except the last sentence, since there's no longer a Spring portal window starting this year. We should have a pretty good idea by mid-January of who's leaving and who's staying.

What happens to those who get cut or don't move up in spring. Are they able to transfer.

[MSU01]

Sure would be nice to know what was happening on the 6th.

Some players will leave.

Some will stay.

Some posters will be very upset at those who leave. Others will defend their choice.

All posters will be happy when key players don’t leave.

Then it happens again after Spring Ball.

All of this will happen except the last sentence, since there's no longer a Spring portal window starting this year. We should have a pretty good idea by mid-January of who's leaving and who's staying.

What happens to those who get cut or don't move up in spring. Are they able to transfer.

Players who have their scholarships cut or reduced have always been able to enter the portal at any time once that happens.

[tetoncat]

Sure would be nice to know what was happening on the 6th.

Some players will leave.

Some will stay.

Some posters will be very upset at those who leave. Others will defend their choice.

All posters will be happy when key players don’t leave.

Then it happens again after Spring Ball.

All of this will happen except the last sentence, since there's no longer a Spring portal window starting this year. We should have a pretty good idea by mid-January of who's leaving and who's staying.

What happens to those who get cut or don't move up in spring. Are they able to transfer.

Players who have their scholarships cut or reduced have always been able to enter the portal at any time once that happens.

Thanks that is what I thought. So the biggest impact would be scholarship kid like a qb who comes out of spring 3rd team. If still has scholarship, needs to transfer down or sit a year?