Re: That D staff was loaded for sure, but also some familiar old faces, yes?

Clemson leads the nation in snaps played by freshman. By a long shot.

This obviously bodes well for the future, considering all the flashes we’ve seen from the younger players.

This reiterates - we are a developmental program. The young guys got tons of experience while working behind the upperclassmen. By the time the upperclassmen graduate or move on, the recruiting classes are playing and gaining experience. When they return next season, are they not like going out and getting an experienced portal player? Yes, I do believe it’s the same.

As far as the folks wanting depth from the portal, well, a) portal guys don’t typically move to be depth, and b) we are developing our own depth with recruits gaining experience.

This model can work. It has worked great for us and will continue to reap benefits.

And to those who say, “we’ve declined because we’re not using the portal”, that’s simply not true. We dropped out of the playoffs due to mostly one reason - mediocre play from the most important position on the field ((QB). Until we improve in that area it doesn’t matter who the OL and WRs are. The QB makes it all go. Teams can succeed when they have a great QB, and having pieces just like we already do, will show up when the QB grows up and can execute the entire system.

Think Max Duggan. I believe Cade can be every bit as good or better than Max was, and we have more pieces.

When Cade grows up, combined with all the RETURNING experience, then the system will become way more efficient and explosive. Like TCU did , except with a better roster.

Hifidog

Scout Team [157]

TigerPulse: 100%

Posts: 101

Joined: 2/21/05

Re: Ok so we havent landed any portal guys, BUT

Jan 24, 2024, 5:14 PM

I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel and a return to BIG time winning is near. Retaining players is gong to be a much bigger piece of the formula in CFB. Here's just one example of why that's going to happen: As covid year redshirt players cycle out of the system, there will be fewer and fewer 6th year QB's for programs to buy. Look around the country at teams that have filled a one-year need because a rental was available. That pipeline is drying up. Transfers aren't going anywhere, but the proven, quality, multi-year starters will be fewer and are going to be replaced by portal players that didn't get playing time at their current school. Clemson is and will continue to benefit from being above average in retaining players.

Once Clemson signs one or two portal guys, and they will, the talking point about not using the portal will mostly fade into the background.

My gut says that Dabo is not laying ALL his cards on the table re: the portal and NIL. And he's taking some shots from people because of it. The cards he shows are that we believe in our guys (100% true), we prioritize development (100% true), and we're not going to use NIL to bring a player in but will use it to retain (mostly true). This all shows that Clemson is running its program the RIGHT way and faces the consequences of not breaking tampering rules, etc. This plays to Dabo's and Clemson's credit.

But, (BUT) I believe the big card he is not showing is that Clemson wouldn't be more successful even if it tried the other approach. And that's because Clemson doesn't have that extra $$ needed to recruit via the highest level of NIL. Clemson has a lot of money and can certainly compete, but there is a level of money that Clemson simply does not have. Now, some coaches would complain and beg for more money to help preserve their own image. Dabo never plays the "I'm doing the best with what we have" card, even though he has it in his hand. Ryan Day and Nick Saban have both effectively played this card before.

I think Dabo is doing a great job in general, he's made some adjustments, and he's taking the hits while managing the program through a turbulent time for the sport. Clemson is going to do very well in the 12 team playoff era! Go Tigers!!

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Ok so we havent landed any portal guys, BUT

Re: Ok so we havent landed any portal guys, BUT

Re: Ok so we havent landed any portal guys, BUT

That's a bit disingenuous, both of the NC teams were loaded with experienced

That D staff was loaded for sure, but also some familiar old faces, yes?