My view of the portal through the lens of TNet

Dec 21, 2023, 7:04 AM

There is a segment here very anxious for us to drop 7 figures on an impact guy. There may eventually be a guy who is a major addition who isn't seeking a bundle, but let's face the truth, most are. Which means we are not likely to see it happen.

To say we aren't looking for guys who have several years left to develop and could possibly drop a lesser amount of $ on is not true. The OL we targeted all fit that profile. All were good prospects. All chose elsewhere. Why? Does anyone see that when you return 7,500 snaps played on the OL (have we ever returned that?) it's a stumbling block to that? So the scholarship goes to Young.

Carter returns, so no need for an LB with 5 talented guys returning, though some inexperience as Trotter and Carter played so many snaps. But of those 5, 1 is a 5 star impact freshman, 3 are/were highly rated 4 stars, and Woodaz has proven he's a possible star. So we add a solid 4 star and 2 developmental 3 stars to some other developmental guys from last year. Personally, I see no issue with that.

DE? Dabo dropped Woods to DE as a possibility yesterday. A Wilkins type scenario. I think Story is a possibility as well. Our depth at DT is incredible and allows for this. We'll see, but that's the long term planning we know nothing about as far as roster management. Unless he improves a ton, I don't think we see a guy like Denhoff starting, no matter what the depth chart says now.

I'll take the 2 WR we got over anyone in the portal.

And, I do think there is some logic in Dabo's statements regarding some of the late additions. When schools are taking 10-15-20 transfers, high school guys are getting left behind for power 5 spots. I also believe HS coaches are noticing this. Whether any of the 3 this year amount to anything is to be seen, but I don't think that take by Dabo is wrong. The portal is hurting opportunity for guys like this. In just the last 2 years we've seen late takes like Williams, Barnes and Brown have major impacts. Our history is littered with guys like this, and honestly, it's part of what has made us special. Can we all admit that? We beat Bama twice with more 3 stars than 4 and 5 stars on our roster. So long as we sign the impact 4 and 5 stars, we'll be fine. It's when we miss on those guys that we struggle. If Ladson, or Ngata, or DJ, or any number of other guys had been hits, we aren't having this conversation.

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My view of the portal through the lens of TNet

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