January 3rd, 2022 at 5:43 PM ^
10-4, fixed.
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:55 PM ^
Too bad we don’t play Oklahoma next fall in Norman
January 4th, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
Sure, just like Nebraska. Except double the population and they live and breathe football in that state like Ohio and Western Pennsylvania does. And right next to Texas, unlike Nebraska 2 states away.
Oklahoma's biggest threat is if Texas ever gets good again, or if the Okies surpass them for a time.
That being said, this transition is being terribly managed so far. Their welcome to the SEC is going to be bad unless Venables is magic.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:05 PM ^
"Caleb's time is now!"
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:15 PM ^
Here's an interesting question, because I've seen this mentioned by two guys already:
Stew Mandel said something similar.
Michigan had good but not great QB play this year. Obviously, many believe that JJ McCarthy seems primed to step up to the starting job. He has flashed incredible talent; he has also been, thus far, inconsistent as a passer, and worked with a limited playbook, which isn't that alarming since he is a true freshman.
If Caleb Williams said, "I'd like to go to Michigan," are you interested?
This is a bit like the Shea issue a couple of years ago, but our returning QB room is stronger (especially in retrospect).
And, very importantly: Locker room balance is important. I gave up on Harbaugh last year in large part because the team appeared to quit. It looked like he had lost the team. Well, the team was in a great place this year. And while feelingsball doesn't win games, the leadership of the players has meant a lot to building a team that does stuff on the field that *does* win games.
Cade is a huge part of that. Frankly, so is JJ, who was a firm and buoyant supporter of Michigan even when guys like me were convinced that doom was upon us. JJ kept recruiting his classmates, posting encouraging stuff to twitter, all of it. Cade was the guy giving the rousing locker room speech after Rutgers, leading on the field this year, flatly refusing to ignite any controversy when JJ got serious key-moment snaps in games this year. Along with Aidan, their leadership appears to have been a massive part of what made this team special.
Even if Williams is an on-field upgrade to both Cade and JJ, bringing him on seems like a slap in the face. And I'm not sure Michigan can afford that as it builds a staff-and-player culture that gives real promise of great things to come.
Still, winning matters. What think others?
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:22 PM ^
The Portal combined with NIL $$$ is a game changer.
The Portal used to be for unhappy players. Now it's for perfectly happy players that want to see if they can find a bigger and better free agency deal.
Caleb Williams is shopping himself around.
Get ready for some LeBron "Decision" moments in college football. Yikes.
College football is batshit crazy.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:42 PM ^
There might be some of that, but to be fair I think you're overstating Caleb's position a bit. He might care about NIL options, but his statement specifically references "professional development," which means NFL prospects. And he came to Oklahoma to play for Lincoln Riley, who has sent multiple guys to the first round of the NFL draft. Since his goal appears to be developing for the NFL, it seems reasonable for him, in this environment, to seek the best option to do that.
January 3rd, 2022 at 10:56 PM ^
In which case he should just follow Riley to USC.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:28 PM ^
Unless the player is a proven malcontent, I say you always look for upgrades. It would be bonkers to give up on a "proven" elite QB if the wanted to come.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:32 PM ^
I'd stick with Cade and JJ. I didn't think Caleb Williams was that much better, and playing in Oklahoma's pass heavy system, you would expect his stats to be better. They are only slightly better and in Michigan's system, his stats might look a lot like Cade and JJs. But those 2 guys are leaders and we know we have 2 guys we can win with. I'm not sure I'd add a 3rd capable QB when we could be stocking up on other positions like CB or linebackers.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:39 PM ^
No. This is the rare situation where the risk of bringing in a Caleb Williams level guy outweighs the possible upside for Michigan.
I do not think Michigan makes sense as a destination for Williams either. He wants to develop into an NFL QB. He thought he was going to do that under Lincoln Riley and his pass oriented offense. Riley left and his new head coach is a former DC. He needs a place where (1) he does not have to compete for the starting job, and (2) where he can sling it 30-40 times per game.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:45 PM ^
I think we win or lose with JJ next year (I am presuming he becomes the starter). Personally, I don't want a transfer qb to add to the rotation next year.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:58 PM ^
Saw on Twitter literally the words "he is going to Georgia unless they get outbid".
This is the new CFB.
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:41 PM ^
I tweeted that. I was just messing around though.
He's actually going to Auburn.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:01 AM ^
I'll eat my Michigan hat if JJ doesn't end up as a more successful collegiate QB than Caleb Williams.
January 4th, 2022 at 6:06 AM ^
Caleb Williams is probably going to turn out to be better than Bryce Young.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:25 PM ^
Would you guys (fans) be interested? Or are you rockin with JJ and Cade next year?
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:27 PM ^
We're coming after CJ. Stroud.
Tom Brady is working up an NIL deal right now.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:44 PM ^
I know this comment is tame but how is peaceful buck still around at this point?
January 3rd, 2022 at 7:22 PM ^
He’s used to hanging out with winners.
January 3rd, 2022 at 10:14 PM ^
I am far more concerned about the interior D Line than I am about the QB.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:39 PM ^
My good friends son down here in Dallas is a 4 star qb (Nick Evers) who just decommited from Florida when Mullen got canned and signed with Venables at OU. I wonder if this means he is now in line to start as red-shirt freshman qb? That would be pretty crazy.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:47 PM ^
Could entering the portal be a ploy to extract more NIL money without any intention of leaving one's current team?
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:07 PM ^
I’m hearing Williams is definitely gone and someone (not Casey Thompson) will be transferring to OU shortly.
I’m not going to say what is best or right for the players, but as a fan this is really bad for college football.
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:31 PM ^
I wasn't even thinking about Caleb Williams specifically, although thanks for the info, but was just kinda ruminating out loud. Since players can withdraw their names from the portal as easily as enter (as far as I know), and if the school is determined to keep the player, I wonder if some players with that kind of leverage will throw their name in just to see if more NIL money comes in from their current school's boosters.
I don't know. Wild west for sure.
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:34 PM ^
Throwing your name out there to see if you can get more money from your current school . . .
Hey, just like the coaches!
These players are learning from the best.
January 3rd, 2022 at 10:58 PM ^
Dillon Gabriel just transferred to OU. Done.
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:52 PM ^
The ESPN article says he's in the portal, but Oklahoma "would definitely be an option." That's fucked up. Guys are who have a big year are going to "renegotiate" their contracts. You know, like coaches and pro athletes do!
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:37 PM ^
Yeah, that's what's odd. If Oklahoma is a viable option, why is he leaving?
What exactly is he shopping around for? What better deal is he looking for?
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:45 PM ^
Maybe it's not quite that dramatic?
Maybe it's just that he came to OU to play for Lincoln Riley and with Riley gone, he isn't sure whether he should stay or not?
January 3rd, 2022 at 7:08 PM ^
But Riley is not coming back. So I get him leaving.
What is the point of publicly saying OU is still in the mix? What does he expect OU to do to stay in it that would not have been handled by a private conversation?
This feels like a $$$ bidding war.
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:04 PM ^
Prostitution has become legal, but it's a "victimless" crime, so it's okay.
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:30 PM ^
Caleb Williams enters transfer portal means Caleb Williams is asking if any other programs can offer him more NIL money than Oklahoma. At least he's following the rules and entering the portal rather than doing behind the scenes...I guess :/
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:31 PM ^
I’m FOR the guys making money. I’m FOR the guys being able to “take their talents elsewhere” like a coach can. That said, it feels like this is unrestricted free agency with no salary cap. Maybe that’s ok? I don’t know it all just feels a little odd but I’m firmly on the players side to “do stuff”.
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:41 PM ^
Is there a cap on how much an NIL deal can be for? Does there have to be a realistic market value?
Can a bagman pay Caleb Williams $1 Million for his NIL just to put his picture on T-shirts?
January 4th, 2022 at 9:12 AM ^
No.
No.
Yes.
Can I pay any individual, any amount of money I want, for the right to use their image? Legally, yes. There are no laws limiting contracts of this type. Government law enforcement is in no way involved.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:05 AM ^
No NCAA rules either?
Overpaying is the new Oversigning.
January 3rd, 2022 at 8:00 PM ^
I wonder whether we eventually see things calm down a bit more as time goes by and the market adjusts.
A few things I think are likely:
1. Just because a school is willing to pay more $$ doesn’t mean it will be worth it and we will see some kids regret their decisions. Loyalty to teammates, to a really good coach, etc. will still mean something to some athletes. It’s harder to leave a really good fit.
2. With NIL being legal, we will see more schools getting into the game, or putting more $$ into the pot. And if a larger number of schools are attracting top athletes, it is possible it will lead to more parity in the long term.
3. If it’s not already happening (and I have no idea), I also expect that we see the market correct itself where NIL deals have clauses where players are obligated to pay back a certain pro-rated percentage of NIL money if they leave for another school. This already happens all the time in the business world where signing bonuses, relocation expenses etc. are conditioned on employment with the company for a set period of time.
4. Schools will develop good or bad reputations for how they recruit and treat their athletes where it comes to the balance of NIL, player/skill development, and meaningful playing time. Remember, the ultimate goal for these 5* and 4* guys is to get drafted and get paid NFL money. NIL money will mean less at a school that can’t develop young men into pro athletes as well as another school can.
5. NFL still means “Not For Long” and if there’s any professional sport where life afterwards needs to be considered, it’s football. A good degree from a top tier school could still be quite important for these guys. Schools that creatively handle this aspect of recruiting will have an edge. For example, guaranteeing all their athletes (esp. those who left early) an opportunity to return and finish a degree and even pursue a Masters degree- with full scholarship, tutoring assistance, etc. would be a really smart thing to do.
January 3rd, 2022 at 10:08 PM ^
So is Michigan going to be willing to open the wallet like this to keep up in the NIL world?
January 4th, 2022 at 11:09 AM ^
Other schools have money too. If we are getting into publicly known bidding wars, Some other school may "outbid" GA. Perhaps even Oklahoma.
Which seems to by why Williams did this. Franklin and Tucker are proud.
January 3rd, 2022 at 10:51 PM ^
Normally this would be the moment when a guy like Caleb Williams falls right into OSU's lap. But not this year!
January 4th, 2022 at 11:10 AM ^
I like that fact, but I'm not thrilled with the reason.