Transfer Portal

[Cats92]

The transfer portal officially opens tomorrow. I imagine there are some position groups the coaches will be looking at fairly closely. Assuming no one of consequence enters the portal on the Cats end, I feel like they’re in a really good position for success next season personnel wise.

(I’m dumb and this is just my opinion)

OL- good
TE- could see a guy come in
WR- hard to tell, but should still be really solid
RB- good
QB- questionable based on severity of Tommy’s injury and development of JR and CW but should still be good

DL- would like to see a guy or two, but should be good either way
LB- DU is going to be a one man wrecking crew, would really like to see some help come in here
DB- coordinator lol…… I think the players they have are very good, but wouldn’t mind some extra help

You fill in the rest.

Based on the guys that return and the other players who develop over the offseason, along with the schedule, I feel like they have a real shot in 2024. This has been my prediction since we got on the plane from Frisco.

[mslacatfan]

Disagree on TE, we have a lot returning there.

Hate to say it…. But a big part of what positions we go after will depend on who LEAVES in the portal.

[nanacat]

I was thinking this too. Sure hope we don't lose many. Pretty sure some of that will depend on which coaches stay. Can't remember Davis's eligibility situation, but if he and Housewright have issues, which seems possible, and Housewright isn't replaced, will we lose Davis?

[91catAlum]

SO it begins... Can't say I"m a fan of college free agency and the best FCS guys going to the highest bidder.

[VimSince03]

SDSU just added a transfer from Oklahoma on the OL.

[MinnesotaBobcat]

As far as the NIL offers go….how are players identified
by the various teams? Do the coaches come up with a wish list of players and give that to the NIL collective to offer these players $$ to enter the portal and guarantee a spot on the team?I guess I’ve never been clear coaches not being able to actively recruit players from other teams….yet all these players have 6-figure offers waiting for them from the teams. Or, can anyone identify a player they like and say you’ll write them a check as soon as the commit to your team?? Just seems like the NCAA took a flawed system and made it more flawed, and easier to cheat. Then again, I don’t think they mind funneling all the top talent to Power 5 schools and those billion dollar TV contacts.

[91catAlum]

As far as the NIL offers go….how are players identified
by the various teams? Do the coaches come up with a wish list of players and give that to the NIL collective to offer these players $$ to enter the portal and guarantee a spot on the team?I guess I’ve never been clear coaches not being able to actively recruit players from other teams….yet all these players have 6-figure offers waiting for them from the teams. Or, can anyone identify a player they like and say you’ll write them a check as soon as the commit to your team?? Just seems like the NCAA took a flawed system and made it more flawed, and easier to cheat. Then again, I don’t think they mind funneling all the top talent to Power 5 schools and those billion dollar TV contacts.

Do you mean under the rules, or what actually happens? The rules say that players can't be contacted until after their name is in the portal. But that's not what happens and the NCAA doesn't really enforce anything it seems. So most teams break the rules.

[The Butcher]

Has a previous Bobcat football player ever transferred and achieved significant recognition with their new team? I can't seem to remember any instances. While observing Ifanse and Glessner not reaching the same success level after leaving the Cats, I'm attempting to recollect a player who truly excelled – not just starting but achieving All-Conference honors, being drafted into the NFL, and the like.

[Zoo_Cat]

Has a previous Bobcat football player ever transferred and achieved significant recognition with their new team? I can't seem to remember any instances. While observing Ifanse and Glessner not reaching the same success level after leaving the Cats, I'm attempting to recollect a player who truly excelled – not just starting but achieving All-Conference honors, being drafted into the NFL, and the like.

There are probably more than what I am thinking about, but Jaden Smith has had some success at Tarleton State and Connor Wood was a multi-year starter at Missouri. Like the Portal in general, it has been a mixed bag for the results based on each player's objectives (or what we would assume they were hoping to achieve when they entered the Portal).

[PapaG]

If Oregon gets Cam Ward or DJU via the portal, Duck backup QB Ty Thompson may be looking to move and has two years of eligibility left.

[GoldstoneCat]

There's a simple rule change that could be made, IMO, to help moderate this process a bit. You can't offer NIL money to anyone not already in your program. That was the intent, i think, not to create free agency but allow these kids to profit off their NIL within their program. Now, how the hell could you enforce such a rule? No clue. I'm not that smart. But this is ridiculous, the wild west, all that. Glad guys can make some money because they sure generate it for others, but it's hard to see how G5 and FCS survive viably long term. The concept of a developmental program really doesn't fit in this new reality.

[The Butcher]

Has a previous Bobcat football player ever transferred and achieved significant recognition with their new team? I can't seem to remember any instances. While observing Ifanse and Glessner not reaching the same success level after leaving the Cats, I'm attempting to recollect a player who truly excelled – not just starting but achieving All-Conference honors, being drafted into the NFL, and the like.

There are probably more than what I am thinking about, but Jaden Smith has had some success at Tarleton State and Connor Wood was a multi-year starter at Missouri. Like the Portal in general, it has been a mixed bag for the results based on each player's objectives (or what we would assume they were hoping to achieve when they entered the Portal).

I remember those two individuals, but I'm interested to know if anyone departed from the team and made a noteworthy impact that led to awards or a career in the NFL.

[91catAlum]

There's a simple rule change that could be made, IMO, to help moderate this process a bit. You can't offer NIL money to anyone not already in your program. That was the intent, i think, not to create free agency but allow these kids to profit off their NIL within their program. Now, how the hell could you enforce such a rule? No clue. I'm not that smart. But this is ridiculous, the wild west, all that. Glad guys can make some money because they sure generate it for others, but it's hard to see how G5 and FCS survive viably long term. The concept of a developmental program really doesn't fit in this new reality.

That would sure help, but you're right, how would they enforce it? What is happening right now is already against the rules (no player contact prior to portal entry). Its the wild west right now, basically. I sure hope somebody (NCAA) is looking at what is happening with NIL offers to players around the country and gets a handle on it.

[Montanabob]

Has a previous Bobcat football player ever transferred and achieved significant recognition with their new team? I can't seem to remember any instances. While observing Ifanse and Glessner not reaching the same success level after leaving the Cats, I'm attempting to recollect a player who truly excelled – not just starting but achieving All-Conference honors, being drafted into the NFL, and the like.

There are probably more than what I am thinking about, but Jaden Smith has had some success at Tarleton State and Connor Wood was a multi-year starter at Missouri. Like the Portal in general, it has been a mixed bag for the results based on each player's objectives (or what we would assume they were hoping to achieve when they entered the Portal).

I remember those two individuals, but I'm interested to know if anyone departed from the team and made a noteworthy impact that led to awards or a career in the NFL.

McKay?

[BleedingBLue]

TJ Session started every game at RT for Cal this year. Wasn't great last year but has an above average grade this year.

[The Butcher]

Has a previous Bobcat football player ever transferred and achieved significant recognition with their new team? I can't seem to remember any instances. While observing Ifanse and Glessner not reaching the same success level after leaving the Cats, I'm attempting to recollect a player who truly excelled – not just starting but achieving All-Conference honors, being drafted into the NFL, and the like.

There are probably more than what I am thinking about, but Jaden Smith has had some success at Tarleton State and Connor Wood was a multi-year starter at Missouri. Like the Portal in general, it has been a mixed bag for the results based on each player's objectives (or what we would assume they were hoping to achieve when they entered the Portal).

I remember those two individuals, but I'm interested to know if anyone departed from the team and made a noteworthy impact that led to awards or a career in the NFL.

McKay?

I do recall when he announced he was entering the NFL draft.

[MinnesotaBobcat]

As far as the NIL offers go….how are players identified
by the various teams? Do the coaches come up with a wish list of players and give that to the NIL collective to offer these players $$ to enter the portal and guarantee a spot on the team?I guess I’ve never been clear coaches not being able to actively recruit players from other teams….yet all these players have 6-figure offers waiting for them from the teams. Or, can anyone identify a player they like and say you’ll write them a check as soon as the commit to your team?? Just seems like the NCAA took a flawed system and made it more flawed, and easier to cheat. Then again, I don’t think they mind funneling all the top talent to Power 5 schools and those billion dollar TV contacts.

Do you mean under the rules, or what actually happens? The rules say that players can't be contacted until after their name is in the portal. But that's not what happens and the NCAA doesn't really enforce anything it seems. So most teams break the rules.

Well, I’m just trying to understand how we’ve gone from a system where as I understand it, it would be a violation for me to donate a dollar to the indoor practice facility fund, then bump into a good high school or college kicker here in the Twin Cities, and point out there might be an open competition next year, that Bozeman is a great college town and that there are daily nonstop flights from MSP to BZN. However, now, it seems as though I could offer them my retirement savings and the NCAA could care less. I get that it’s nice that players have the opportunity to earn money and seek out the best opportunity for themselves….but it just seems like the process is ridiculous when you look at what the NCAA has considered recruiting violations in the past.

[PapaG]

Has a previous Bobcat football player ever transferred and achieved significant recognition with their new team? I can't seem to remember any instances. While observing Ifanse and Glessner not reaching the same success level after leaving the Cats, I'm attempting to recollect a player who truly excelled – not just starting but achieving All-Conference honors, being drafted into the NFL, and the like.

Closest I can think of is Dakota Prukop but that was in Mark Helfrich’s disastrous last season as Oregon coach and then some true freshman named Joe or Jackson Herbert or something like that replaced him as the starter after a few losses.

[91catAlum]

As far as the NIL offers go….how are players identified
by the various teams? Do the coaches come up with a wish list of players and give that to the NIL collective to offer these players $$ to enter the portal and guarantee a spot on the team?I guess I’ve never been clear coaches not being able to actively recruit players from other teams….yet all these players have 6-figure offers waiting for them from the teams. Or, can anyone identify a player they like and say you’ll write them a check as soon as the commit to your team?? Just seems like the NCAA took a flawed system and made it more flawed, and easier to cheat. Then again, I don’t think they mind funneling all the top talent to Power 5 schools and those billion dollar TV contacts.

Do you mean under the rules, or what actually happens? The rules say that players can't be contacted until after their name is in the portal. But that's not what happens and the NCAA doesn't really enforce anything it seems. So most teams break the rules.

Well, I’m just trying to understand how we’ve gone from a system where as I understand it, it would be a violation for me to donate a dollar to the indoor practice facility fund, then bump into a good high school or college kicker here in the Twin Cities, and point out there might be an open competition next year, that Bozeman is a great college town and that there are daily nonstop flights from MSP to BZN. However, now, it seems as though I could offer them my retirement savings and the NCAA could care less. I get that it’s nice that players have the opportunity to earn money and seek out the best opportunity for themselves….but it just seems like the process is ridiculous when you look at what the NCAA has considered recruiting violations in the past.

Very fair and good question. It was a fast change from paying for a kid's meal was illegal, to now paying kids 6 figures to transfer is fine and dandy. Schools and collectives are stretching the intent of NIL money to where they just pay all their players now.
You are correct, it is ridiculous. I for one certainly hope that the NCAA sees whats happening now with the wild west, and puts some guard rails in place, and enforces them.

[Prodigal Cat]

Of all the reason to hit the Portal the "I want to play in the NFL" makes the least sense to me. FCS players, Olinemen especially, have been selected high (as in first round) in the NFL draft pretty much every year. If you are good enough they will find you. Teams employ an army of people looking for and at you. The 2 guys from SDSU have already accepted shrine bowl invites and passed up NIL money to stay where they are at. It probably made them money in the long term because instead of some NIL money they are going to get NFL draft pick money.

If you transfer who knows if the situation is better. The coaches there might only see you as depth, want to change the position you play, you have troubles with the scheme etc etc etc. Ultimately if you're good they will find you. You grow better where your planted.

Portaling because you want to be closer to home, you aren't getting playing time, you really need the NIL money and the money is significant (not the case for most), you aren't getting along with the coach, you don't like Montana, MSU doesn't offer the degree you really want. These are all good reasons and understandable.

If Ifanse had stayed and had a 2021 type of season I don't doubt one bit that he would have NFLPA bowl type of invite right now.