I think he was brought in to field a decent scout team and maybe play special teams, but I hope I'm wrong and you're right. There's no downside to bringing him in.
I'm still waiting out the "48 hours for colleges to submit players to the portal" to celebrate -- but I like and agree with your comment as of 12:53 EST on 5/1/24.
I'm guessing there is always going to be a subsection of recruits who aren't comfortable beginning at the back of a deep roster, while also being enticed by NIL to play somewhere with play-now potential. Kentucky seems to offer a nice landing spot for guys like that. It's probably better for Michigan that Kentucky gets a guy like Davis in the HS recruiting phase, rather than in the portal phase like Waller.
I don't know if any transfer is surprising for Illinois basketball. They seem to just portal out and portal in a fresh team yearly -- and without having a coaching change.
According to 247's portal rankings, the 5th best available WR is Karmello English and the 10th is Cristian Dixon. The guys ahead of them are marginally better, if at all. Add in the admissions hurdles, and you're really scraping the barrel. Unless there are some late entries tonight and tomorrow, these are the type of offers you can expect.
Josaiah Stewart deployed Marshawn Lynch's "run through a motherfucker's face" tactic on Bama's 1st Rd NFL RT. Maybe they think that's illegal at the collegiate level?
Names actually might come out later than that. Players have to submit paperwork by tonight, but the school doesn't have to submit the portal info for 2 days. It's possible someone submits today but isn't visible in the portal until Thursday (Friday for football, bc grads have until May 1 to submit paperwork).
Possibly, but if they would've passed up on Caleb Williams they'd be getting 1000x more heat than the Falcons are getting right now. Lots of scouts have called him the best prospect since Luck. Again, I'm not sold on him, but the Bears had to make the pick. And I'm definitely glad they ended up with Caleb this year rather than using the #1 last year on Bryce Young.
Honestly, the entire NFC North had pretty good drafts and offseasons. I'm a Bears fan and not the biggest believer in Caleb Williams, but obviously he's the guy who they had to take. Odunze at 9 seems like a bit of a steal. Lions got 2 top corners and more OL beef -- jealous of that. Vikings got JJ and Turner, which didn't seem possible for any team to do prior to it actually happening. The Packers always draft well, so I'll just assume they did it again (until proven otherwise).
A 2022 Groza semifinalist, Zvada was one of only two freshmen to be honored last season. He broke the Sun Belt Conference single-season record by a true freshman for points by kicking with 81, going 30-for-31 on PATS and 17-of-18 on field goals. Only two returning FBS kickers attempted at least 18 field goals and connected at a higher rate than Zvada's 94.4 percent (17-of-18) accuracy. His only miss came from 51 yards, but his season-long was a 56-yarder, tied for the third-longest field goal in the country last year and second-longest in program history.
I don't know that he will be. NBADraft.net is usually one of the best aggregators of Draft info, and they have him at 35. A late first makes about $2M. I bet he could've gotten more in college had he opened up the sweepstakes. Another year of dominating college basketball wouldn't have dropped his stock any. Maybe the hurdles of getting paid outside the US were just too annoying to deal with.
Also, Kentucky found ways to pay Oscar Tshiebwe big money. For a guy Edey, schools like that would find ways. Tshiebwe made "at least" $500k in just one week when they played in the Bahamas.
This doesn't have anything to do with the NCAA, does it? I could be wrong, but I think this is just the Heisman Trust giving out a silly trophy and a replica.
I think he has done a great job, given the circumstances. The team he has now sets a pretty good floor. The next step is either proving he can find hidden gems like Beilein did, or proving he can recruit legitimate NBA talent (or both, I suppose). It will take several years of recruiting to get an answer on that
Tough shotmaker, nice handle, good athlete, good shooter. Super productive HS player - when I really got into his tape over the weekend I was shocked he’s only a 3-star
I have no problem with Jace staying if he wants. However, couldn't he leave without being in the portal? He started college in 2020, so I'm assuming he'll be a grad transfer. The portal and portal windows don't apply to grad transfers, do they?
Yeah, I was using him more as an example. He's by far the most talented QB in the portal, and he's probably not even an upgrade for us (when factoring in experience, not having years in our system, etc). Meanwhile, SEC teams were throwing money at him as soon as he entered. The odds of a better option popping up in the portal, and then landing that option with all the competition, seems unlikely at this point.
I don't recall Orji nearly throwing an interception. If he did, it wasn't on his opening drive.
Ohio State loaded the box two years ago, and Donovan started getting about 80 yards a carry. Penn State loaded the box last year, and we blocked it up. Washington tried bringing an extra guy in the box. It's nothing new. And we beat it with long runs more than we did with long passes. Michigan, sometimes frustratingly, chose to run into stacked boxes (even with JJ at QB). If anything, he was used to bail the offense out on 3&Long moreso than keeping defenses honest with deep throws. Luckily, he was by far the best at the nation at that. What JJ didn't do, was run when defenses were ignoring him to crash down on our RBs. With a run-threat QB, it helps our numbers in the run block game (fewer defenders running free bc you have an extra blocker on QB runs, and someone has to account for possible QB pulls on handoffs).
I think Orji is getting the job. That's what most the chatter has been all along. He didn't do anything in the spring game to hurt that assumption. Orji and Warren each got one drive against defensive units with actual starters on the field -- Orji got a TD, Warren got a FG. Neither one of them were throwing balls in defenders' chests. I think it was a positive for the QB1 and QB2 spots.
As for Tuttle, I'd love for him to be in the mix, but I've heard at least one insider mention the possibility of Tommy John surgery.
Lastly, right now the portal really isn't an option (obviously could change if more entered). There's only one player who is better (HS Rankings wise) than what we have, and that's Jaden Rashada from ASU (former Miami commit & Florida commit that sparked the NIL fiasco in Gainesville).
Top Portal QB Options (and portal rank):
Jaden Rashada (ASU, 4*)
Timmy McClain (UCF, 3*)
Nick Evers (Wisc, 3*)
Jacurri Brown (Miami FL, 3*)
Collin Schlee (UCLA, 3*)
Dematrius Davis (ASU, 3*)
Jacolby Criswell (Ark, 3*)
Cooper Legas (UtSt, 3*)
Jeff Sims (Neb, 3*)
Rashada already has visits set up with Georgia and multiple other SEC schools. It doesn't seem like he's a likely target. You're left with a bunch of guys who might not even be as good as Orji/Warren/Tuttle and won't have the benefit of being in the offense multiple seasons.
Recent Comments
We've only offered. He's already visited Kentucky. (He's planning a UM visit, allegedly)
Not unless you're a big believer in Deacon Hill or Jeff Sims.
Portal is ice cold
They probably deem them as sullied or tainted after they traveled through Ole Miss's database.
I think he was brought in to field a decent scout team and maybe play special teams, but I hope I'm wrong and you're right. There's no downside to bringing him in.
Aren't the insiders saying May is looking for an "impact guard"? Or maybe there are two spots, and we just don't know it yet.
UK boosters probably saved a ton of money in that Calipari to Mark Pope swap. Maybe it's filtering down to football.
I'm still waiting out the "48 hours for colleges to submit players to the portal" to celebrate -- but I like and agree with your comment as of 12:53 EST on 5/1/24.
I'm guessing there is always going to be a subsection of recruits who aren't comfortable beginning at the back of a deep roster, while also being enticed by NIL to play somewhere with play-now potential. Kentucky seems to offer a nice landing spot for guys like that. It's probably better for Michigan that Kentucky gets a guy like Davis in the HS recruiting phase, rather than in the portal phase like Waller.
Fair enough.
Same with Fanatics / Fansedge.
I don't know if any transfer is surprising for Illinois basketball. They seem to just portal out and portal in a fresh team yearly -- and without having a coaching change.
If Harbaugh actually starts a fullback, that alone will be news in the NFL.
I'll be a lot more upset when one of these lost Kentucky recruits ends up being good.
Did that post also show how many championship teams lost their HC and the majority of their staff? Pretty sure it's never happened in the modern era.
Davis would've been nice to have for next year, but long-term it might be better to have more usage spread to the guys with multiple years left.
According to 247's portal rankings, the 5th best available WR is Karmello English and the 10th is Cristian Dixon. The guys ahead of them are marginally better, if at all. Add in the admissions hurdles, and you're really scraping the barrel. Unless there are some late entries tonight and tomorrow, these are the type of offers you can expect.
Josaiah Stewart deployed Marshawn Lynch's "run through a motherfucker's face" tactic on Bama's 1st Rd NFL RT. Maybe they think that's illegal at the collegiate level?
Names actually might come out later than that. Players have to submit paperwork by tonight, but the school doesn't have to submit the portal info for 2 days. It's possible someone submits today but isn't visible in the portal until Thursday (Friday for football, bc grads have until May 1 to submit paperwork).
Any WFB news?
Love seeing Ohio State in 4th place -- in the conference.
When I think of fast 40s for WRs I think of John Ross. It didn't pan out for him.
Prince is in the Hall of Fame -- so I'm good with that.
Possibly, but if they would've passed up on Caleb Williams they'd be getting 1000x more heat than the Falcons are getting right now. Lots of scouts have called him the best prospect since Luck. Again, I'm not sold on him, but the Bears had to make the pick. And I'm definitely glad they ended up with Caleb this year rather than using the #1 last year on Bryce Young.
Honestly, the entire NFC North had pretty good drafts and offseasons. I'm a Bears fan and not the biggest believer in Caleb Williams, but obviously he's the guy who they had to take. Odunze at 9 seems like a bit of a steal. Lions got 2 top corners and more OL beef -- jealous of that. Vikings got JJ and Turner, which didn't seem possible for any team to do prior to it actually happening. The Packers always draft well, so I'll just assume they did it again (until proven otherwise).
It'd be a pretty useful tidbit to share with recruits when they visit.
I've got at least 9, max of 11 -- with Karsen and Wallace being fringe. Turner, Goode, and Green would be amazing surprises.
Keegan next?
What an add:
https://247sports.com/college/michigan/article/michigan-football-adds-transfer-portal-kicker-from-arkansas-state-231052750/
Does Webb say what position? Obviously CB and WR are both a need.
I don't know that he will be. NBADraft.net is usually one of the best aggregators of Draft info, and they have him at 35. A late first makes about $2M. I bet he could've gotten more in college had he opened up the sweepstakes. Another year of dominating college basketball wouldn't have dropped his stock any. Maybe the hurdles of getting paid outside the US were just too annoying to deal with.
No, he does. They just have to schedule a game outside the country to get him paid.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/bigten/2023/12/12/purdue-zach-edey-nil-loophole-immigration-law-rule/71882113007/
Also, Kentucky found ways to pay Oscar Tshiebwe big money. For a guy Edey, schools like that would find ways. Tshiebwe made "at least" $500k in just one week when they played in the Bahamas.
Honestly, Edey should've stayed too. He could've gotten a BAG from someone like Arkansas, Kentucky, etc..
Footage of Herring being sent to the portal:
... just joking. Good luck with your future team, Amir.
I'm usually a traditionalist, but I have to admit -- I didn't mind the three games Michigan played in Lucas Oil.
And let's not forget Keon Sabb as well.
We did lose the entire defensive coaching staff from when he was recruited.
Looks like Kentucky was high on his list before. Maybe Kentucky is throwing money at Michigan guys again.
Take Notre Dame with you.
This doesn't have anything to do with the NCAA, does it? I could be wrong, but I think this is just the Heisman Trust giving out a silly trophy and a replica.
Warde would hang himself before he sullied the good name of the NCAA by hanging the banners.
I mean, if he's on the team, then the coach should probably try to make him better. I'm not sure why you'd have an issue with that.
I think he has done a great job, given the circumstances. The team he has now sets a pretty good floor. The next step is either proving he can find hidden gems like Beilein did, or proving he can recruit legitimate NBA talent (or both, I suppose). It will take several years of recruiting to get an answer on that
I have no problem with Jace staying if he wants. However, couldn't he leave without being in the portal? He started college in 2020, so I'm assuming he'll be a grad transfer. The portal and portal windows don't apply to grad transfers, do they?
Yeah, I was using him more as an example. He's by far the most talented QB in the portal, and he's probably not even an upgrade for us (when factoring in experience, not having years in our system, etc). Meanwhile, SEC teams were throwing money at him as soon as he entered. The odds of a better option popping up in the portal, and then landing that option with all the competition, seems unlikely at this point.
I think he's only gotten 1 undergrad transfer, FWIW. There are others on the target board though.
I don't recall Orji nearly throwing an interception. If he did, it wasn't on his opening drive.
Ohio State loaded the box two years ago, and Donovan started getting about 80 yards a carry. Penn State loaded the box last year, and we blocked it up. Washington tried bringing an extra guy in the box. It's nothing new. And we beat it with long runs more than we did with long passes. Michigan, sometimes frustratingly, chose to run into stacked boxes (even with JJ at QB). If anything, he was used to bail the offense out on 3&Long moreso than keeping defenses honest with deep throws. Luckily, he was by far the best at the nation at that. What JJ didn't do, was run when defenses were ignoring him to crash down on our RBs. With a run-threat QB, it helps our numbers in the run block game (fewer defenders running free bc you have an extra blocker on QB runs, and someone has to account for possible QB pulls on handoffs).
I think Orji is getting the job. That's what most the chatter has been all along. He didn't do anything in the spring game to hurt that assumption. Orji and Warren each got one drive against defensive units with actual starters on the field -- Orji got a TD, Warren got a FG. Neither one of them were throwing balls in defenders' chests. I think it was a positive for the QB1 and QB2 spots.
As for Tuttle, I'd love for him to be in the mix, but I've heard at least one insider mention the possibility of Tommy John surgery.
Lastly, right now the portal really isn't an option (obviously could change if more entered). There's only one player who is better (HS Rankings wise) than what we have, and that's Jaden Rashada from ASU (former Miami commit & Florida commit that sparked the NIL fiasco in Gainesville).
Top Portal QB Options (and portal rank):
Rashada already has visits set up with Georgia and multiple other SEC schools. It doesn't seem like he's a likely target. You're left with a bunch of guys who might not even be as good as Orji/Warren/Tuttle and won't have the benefit of being in the offense multiple seasons.
Not sure if it means anything but the order Alford went when talking about players behind Donovan was Mullings, Dunlap, Hall Cabana.