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YOUR BALANCE
Dabo and the Transfer Portal
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Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 12:28 PM

I think the portal could be beneficial at times, but I lean towards not using unless you just have to. I do think at some point Dabo is going to use the portal, but it will be a very, very calculated decision.

The problem I see with it, and the reason I think Dabo tends to shy away from it... is that it has the potential to turn into the death of a program by a thousand cuts. Look how selective we are in the recruiting process. We're not Alabama, UGA, etc... where they offer hundreds of kids a year. There is no way they vet every offer the way Dabo and our staff does. You can like that or not, but it's a big reason we are different, it's a big reason we have recruited the way we have, and it's a big reason we are the most successful program in the CFP era, outside of Alabama.

Our guys are introduced to the culture from the day they arrive for a visit. That is cultivated from that point on, through their commitment and up until they leave. There is not a single school in CFB that has the cred Clemson does when it comes to culture. None.

When you start playing in the portal, you open your program up to that "1,000 cuts"... Sure, a lot of guys may work out fine, but how many are really out there that fit our culture. Dabo has repeatedly said that players have to be a good fit here, and that is why we are slow to offer. That approach has been magnificent.

The Chase Brice's of the world would have transferred regardless, even if it meant sitting out a year. He was behind TL16. The Derion Kendrick's were always going to leave it there was trouble, even if it meant turning pro early. There was trouble, and Dabo protected the culture... period.

I have no doubt Dabo will eventually use the portal. but you can bet your last dollar that he will walk away before he starts opening the program up to just "game-breakers" who were not happy somewhere else.

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It’s surprising so many struggle with this concept…


Dec 8, 2021, 12:38 PM

+1

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"I've played multiple sports and would bet any amount that I'm still more athletic than you at this present time...."


Re: It’s surprising so many struggle with this concept…


Dec 8, 2021, 12:47 PM

Dabo will be forced to use the portal for depth. I think he'll begin with several this year, but he'll be very selective who he chooses.

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Re: It’s surprising so many struggle with this concept…


Dec 8, 2021, 1:04 PM

NH Tiger said:

Dabo will be forced to use the portal for depth. I think he'll begin with several this year, but he'll be very selective who he chooses.




Actually he could choose to add numbers to the signing class for HS and not use the portal. There is nothing magic about the portal vs HS signings except timing

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actually that's a flawed thought process......


Dec 8, 2021, 1:33 PM

we're losing 25-30% of every recruiting class to the portal.......the last 3-4 years.

#1 If we backfill those transfers OUT with the next HS class, then you go from a So./Jr..........to depending on a Freshman............That can/will work on occasion, but not most of the time. Then when we lose a game the excuses will ALWAYS be........."well we're still young"........that will always be the case if you depend ONLY on the next HS class to backfill transfers.

#2 Dabo LOOOOOOVES to backfill schollies with walk-ons..........which is fine THAT YEAR, but we all know Dabo doesn't "pull schollies" so once you're in, you're in. That process depletes the talent and depth.


The portal has to be UTILIZED, but doesn't have to be DEPENDED upon. Nobody's saying that dabo needs to land a portal class of 15-18 players in place of incoming freshman. It needs to be a fairly selective group of 3-4 needs/uses/upgrades if possible and combine that with the next class............it's the only way the numbers will work and NOT hurt us.............it's a very simple concept to understand, yet so little on this board actually do.

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Re: It’s surprising so many struggle with this concept…


Dec 8, 2021, 2:04 PM [ in reply to It’s surprising so many struggle with this concept… ]

There's a few in there that we've already vetted.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 12:55 PM

I get your point and it is valid.

I’m just not sure I agree with you that everyone wants Clemson to go the portal route in general. I think most fans would want us to use it to fill holes or temp gaps due to injuries or transfers or depth. Center is a prime example this year as we needed more depth at C. QB may be another one.

I am not a fan of the current changes such as this but do believe we have to look at it judiciously and practically. I think our “culture” can be instilled quickly as there are plenty of quality players with excellent core values that didn’t select Clemson initially. If they are a bad fit, our staff could pick up on that in a conversation or two prior to offering them.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:10 PM

As of today we have 60 scholarship players and 13 commits. That leaves 12 open spots on the roster. You can sign high school kids but there most likely 3 stars. The 4 stars will be gone. Nothing wrong with that. Alot of 3 stars can play. But your class rankings with fall to around 15 or 18th in the nation.

Behind UNC and FSU.

Or you can find 3 or 4 transfer s, that fit the culture.

If the culture is so fragile that it will change with some transfers. It's not as strong as you think.

I'm a big believer in 2 nd chances. Redemption. College football is full of these story's. More work yes, but very rewarding to change a kids life.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:18 PM

I agree with most of what you said except the part about the class rank falling by adding 3 star recruits.

Clemson is FAR below the max number of recruits calculated by recruiting services so any players that commits to the Tigers will improve the overall class ranking.

The only place Clemson would drop is in the "average star ranking" rankings.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 12:57 PM

Coaches can either accept the transfer portal in the same regard that the NFL treats free agency or they will get left behind within 3 to 4 years. Including Dabo. That’s just reality.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:05 PM

I READ that over 70% of All Players who have entered the Transfer Portal have not been Taken by any other Teams ! What does that say ?

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:15 PM

VMI4444ecu said:

I READ that over 70% of All Players who have entered the Transfer Portal have not been Taken by any other Teams ! What does that say ?




I've read that 99% of "walk-ons" never see the field in actual critical game conditions, yet we've had literally dozen of them on the team over the years. WHAT does that say?

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it says we've been to 6 of 8 CFP's and won 2 titles...


Dec 8, 2021, 1:32 PM

or did I look at the wrong results?

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Re: it says we've been to 6 of 8 CFP's and won 2 titles...


Dec 8, 2021, 1:44 PM

And been to 2 of 3 CFP's since the portal began and got blown out both times by portal players.

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And both of the teams that blew us out are in the exact...


Dec 8, 2021, 2:23 PM

same boat as us this season, outside looking in.




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"I've played multiple sports and would bet any amount that I'm still more athletic than you at this present time...."


exactly***


Dec 8, 2021, 2:31 PM



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Re: And both of the teams that blew us out are in the exact...


Dec 8, 2021, 2:31 PM [ in reply to And both of the teams that blew us out are in the exact... ]

Neither of which have anything to do with portal players. LSU sure is struggling as much or worse than us. They lost most of those players and coaching staff. I wouldn't say Ohio State is in the same boat with us. Ohio State is in a boat sure. We're just staying above the water in raft barely strung together. We are much closer to where LSU was in 2020. We just lost a ton of players and about to lose a good chunk of coaching. Thankfully Dabo is a much better leader than Orgeron so not really worried. But now is the time to change his stance on the portal and I think he will.

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I was wondering a few things about you... but thanks


Dec 8, 2021, 2:33 PM

for clearing it up with this post

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Re: I was wondering a few things about you... but thanks


Dec 8, 2021, 2:36 PM

What exactly did I say was inaccurate? If you don't agree tell me why. No need to get personal.

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I think it's completely insane to even attempt to say that


Dec 8, 2021, 3:12 PM

we are in the same boat as LSU... or that OSU is that much ahead of us. Down year? Sure. Injuries? Sure.

Let's seem what the next 2-3 years bring before throwing us in with the LSU's of the world, or elevating OSU to above us.

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Re: I think it's completely insane to even attempt to say that


Dec 8, 2021, 3:17 PM

I said the same boat as 2020 LSU. They were coming off of a historic year, won the championship and lost a ton of players and coaches. We are at that point right now. We lost a ton of players on offense, we're still losing players to the portal. We're losing a ton of important coaches including both coordinators like LSU. I'm saying that the difference is we have Dabo at the top and they had Orgeron. We will be ok.

If you think this 2021 team could even remotely contend with 2021 Ohio State than I just don't know what to say.

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What is Dabo's stance on the portal and how will it change?***


Dec 8, 2021, 2:39 PM [ in reply to Re: And both of the teams that blew us out are in the exact... ]



2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpgringofhonor-francismarion.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"I've played multiple sports and would bet any amount that I'm still more athletic than you at this present time...."


Re: What is Dabo's stance on the portal and how will it change?***


Dec 8, 2021, 2:43 PM

He's made it clear that he's not a advocate of the portal. He has said that we have the structure set up to scout it and use it but prefer not to recruit it. He's stated that he would use it if a need arises specifically after spring practices to plug holes.

That's his stance.

I think his stance will change because there will be no choice. He will have to recruit the portal just as hard as HS recruiting. All programs will have to to stay relevant in contending for the playoffs.

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I think almost every coach of a top tier program would...


Dec 8, 2021, 3:36 PM

agree with Dabo on the first two sentences. He has said he will use it if needed, but it would only be to bring in the same type guy they would have traditionally recruited, "Clemson Men".

I'm a little lost on the second part because it's vague, but it really doesn't matter.

Bottom line, these complaints from fans boil down to either...

A) "Dabo said he would use portal, but hasn't to this point even though we had needs this season, so I don't believe Dabo. There are players in the portal that fill our needs and meet the definition of a "Clemson Man". Dabo is being dishonest with us."

or

B) "We need to reevaluate the definition of a "Clemson Man" because up until now, there have been players in the portal that would fill a need, but unfortunately, they do not fit the current definition."

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"I've played multiple sports and would bet any amount that I'm still more athletic than you at this present time...."


How many CFP titles since the portal became a thing??


Dec 8, 2021, 1:51 PM [ in reply to it says we've been to 6 of 8 CFP's and won 2 titles... ]

Have we been on an "upward" trajectory since the portal started ?

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he's been to the final 4 2 of the 3 years...


Dec 8, 2021, 2:15 PM

not winning the title those 2 years is really going to be your argument?

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Re: he's been to the final 4 2 of the 3 years...


Dec 8, 2021, 2:16 PM

When portal players are the very reason for not winning them then sure it definitely should be the argument.

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what if the reason were kids we didn't recruit?


Dec 8, 2021, 2:21 PM

would you start hammering away that we should have recruited that kid?

Where, exactly, would you have put portal players during the last 2 CFP campaigns? Would you have replaced TL? What about ETN? Who would you have replaced on defense with a portal player?

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Re: what if the reason were kids we didn't recruit?


Dec 8, 2021, 2:25 PM

There's a difference in getting beat by kids we didn't recruit and getting beat by kids we didn't recruit AND by portal players that we refused to take advantage of.

With recruits the field is level. We recruit kids. They recruit kids. It's a level playing field.

When you add in the portal and these teams are going out and getting complimentary play makers to add to their team while we sit on our hands and get passed by, that's a totally different ball game......literally.

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again... in those 2 CFP losses, where would you have put


Dec 8, 2021, 2:30 PM

these portal players that we should have gone and gotten

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Re: again... in those 2 CFP losses, where would you have put


Dec 8, 2021, 2:34 PM

in 2020? WR, TE and OL specifically.

2021? QB, WR, OL, TE

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ok.. just to be clear... you would have replaced


Dec 8, 2021, 3:13 PM

DJ, before the year began?

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WRs, OL mainly


Dec 8, 2021, 3:25 PM

but I guess since Jameson Williams was a scrub 4th best WR at Ohio State he wouldn't be good enough for Clemson right?...........and before you say "well those players typically know where they're going prior to transfering"........most of the time yes they do, they also have an idea of who is willing to even entertain a transfer...............and CLEMSON is the ONLY P5 program that DOES NOT DO THAT

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It's also more than just specifics.....it's numbers & depth


Dec 8, 2021, 3:30 PM [ in reply to ok.. just to be clear... you would have replaced ]

at a program like clemson at NEVER ANY POINT ever, ever, ever should Will Swinney and Will Brown be starting at WR....................injuries or not.

the portal has depleted our numbers, depth, & talent


Put it out there that you're recruiting the portal and there WILL BE talented, good character kids that show interest and contact Dabo..........guaranteed.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:43 PM [ in reply to Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal ]

It says the best players in the portal are being taken by teams not named Clemson?

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:09 PM

Whale said

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By that logic every P5 school but us will die and we'll.....


Dec 8, 2021, 1:26 PM

reach the mountaintop once again..YES!!.........Can't wait.

What date does Bama, Ohio State, etc.. start to die off?? In your opinion.

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that doesn't make any sense


Dec 8, 2021, 1:30 PM

Clemson is Clemson, not Bama, OSU, etc... They make a choice to win their way. Dabo makes a choice to win his way. Period.

There is a lot of things you can compare, outside of wins/losses (graduation rates, etc..) ... and those are the reasons Dabo does things the way he does. It's not to just win games, and he is not shy about saying that.

This is his way of doing it. It will be his way until he's gone. It's hard to argue with the success.


But, carry on.

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he hasn't won a title since the portal became "a thing".....


Dec 8, 2021, 1:43 PM

we've had a one-way door OUT when it comes to the portal since 2018/2019...........each year we've digressed..........the roster management numbers have caught up with us........the "hurt" comes the following year


2018 we lost 7....hurts talented depth.........didn't replace any by the portal....following year shellacked in the NCG, by portal player

2019 (shellacked in the semi-game) we lost 4.....hurts talented depth.........didn't replace any by the portal.......following year shellacked in the semi final by portal player

2020 we lost 8.....hurts talented depth..........didn't replace any by the portal.......following year we go 9-3 headed to cheez-it bowl.

2022 we've lost 8 so far.....hurts talented depth.......haven't replaced with the portal...yet, hopefully we will..............TBD on the following year

It's a cumulative effect

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:28 PM

You’ve made a lot of good points and I totally understand why Dabo chooses not to use it.
With that being said here are a few pitfalls to not utilizing the portal “wisely”. By the way I think it is a matter of time before he finally takes a portal player and like you said there are “few” players that fit our cutler.

1. Sometimes he misses on recruiting “Clemson Guys” I’d start naming the ones that turned out to be major black sheep but I’m sure you can think back yourself.

2. Those misses often turn into transfers and now that the rules have changed players transfer after one-two seasons. Even good kids (Mike Jones). Especially if they think they’re starting material. Which leaves holes. Just going out and adding another player in through recruiting doesn’t always work because we then have to go through the freshman inexperience when we need someone that can come in and contribute right away. I believe there are times you can find fits for the Clemson program in the portal that are experienced and more mature.

Not saying just go out there and recruit the portal like the high school kids but look for fits that can make immediate impacts or at least add depth.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:33 PM

in addition to the portal, pay for play will impact the protection of the culture, as well. The bigger commercial markets (incl the SEC vs ACC stuff, unfortunately) will be tough to deal with. Dabo gets the big $$ to handle it - we shall see...I am confident that our culture and the way it differentiates us (in the ways you describe, among others) will keep us competitive in the new landscape.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 1:51 PM

I think it'll be forced just by sheer numbers, we're starting to lose more than we take in each year whether its from Grad, going pro or transfers. Its hard to keep the same balance in numbers in just recruiting to make up for it all, especially if we're just taking an avg of 15-16 commits. I feel he'll still be very selective, but he'll def be looking alil harder into these kids that are interested in transferring in. He knows we can't afford to start wearing thin at certain positions. It's just hard for him to adjust to the system that's already in place of grooming guys as a true fresh to be ready. Just have to see what happens and how it plays out.

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Re: Dabo and the Transfer Portal


Dec 8, 2021, 2:00 PM

D Kendrick was kicked off team.

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that's what I'm saying... not the type guys I would


Dec 8, 2021, 2:13 PM

celebrate getting if I were UGA

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So what cut is Bama on?


Dec 8, 2021, 2:34 PM

Cause they seem to be thriving on the Portal.

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