2025 Portal Activity

[Aclone]

Who do you think we have that can play OT? Neal? There was a reason they were looking earlier.

I don’t really have any opinion, and that would be irrelevant anyway.

I also don’t have any knowledge whatsoever of what the coaches are thinking, or have been seeing in practice all year. None. Nada. Zip.

For all I know, Carson Rhodes has been making jaws drop all season. And that’s just a random example.

What I do see is that, unlike all of the other positions, there’s been no urgency. Zero. Either in piles of offers at the position, getting kids to visit right off the bat, or in kids rushing to commit.

Which you would think would be the case. One open starting role left, waiting to be claimed on a very good team? Some kid should be all over that.

Classes start next week. If someone doesn’t commit shortly—and this kid didn’t (yet)—it’s going to be summer before an addition is on campus.

Which suggests one of two things.

Either they’re reasonably comfortable at the position, and just looking to add competition, depth and upperclassman experience to the spot…

…or they’re okay sitting back and waiting for the right guy to pop up, and fall in their laps. The way that Travis did this time last year.

Or maybe both? There’s a reason I said “perhaps”.

Guess we’ll see, right?

 

[cycloneman003]

Who do you think we have that can play OT? Neal? There was a reason they were looking earlier.

Well for one, Tyler Miller is coming back so there is your RT. Maro and Neal have both played for us as depth pieces the last couple years. Pretty sure they are high on Rutledge who was redshirting and at least one of the Helton twins was an OT, along with Carson Rhodes coming off a greyshirt and redshirt. Gabe Greenlee.

Definitely think it’s a spot that could use some help and more bodies, rather than counting on young guys. But there are some options and it’s definitely one of the most impossible positions to acquire in this NIL climate.

 

[AllInForISU]

4 million for a qb who isn’t that good? That seems excessive. I’d bet going to tank next year unless they have All-American receivers at Miami.

 

[Clonelabdad]

Well for one, Tyler Miller is coming back so there is your RT. Maro and Neal have both played for us as depth pieces the last couple years. Pretty sure they are high on Rutledge who was redshirting and at least one of the Helton twins was an OT, along with Carson Rhodes coming off a greyshirt and redshirt. Gabe Greenlee.

Definitely think it’s a spot that could use some help and more bodies, rather than counting on young guys. But there are some options and it’s definitely one of the most impossible positions to acquire in this NIL climate.

I agree they have the bodies for OT, my concern is having someone battle- tested like Travis was.

 

[ClonerJams]

Just checked 247 to see where some of our departures landed:
Jacob Ellis - Colorado State
AJ Burton - Northern Colorado
Trevon Howard - Arkansas State (we'll see him next year)
Trent Jones - UConn
Drake Knobloch - Baylor
Ryan Robinson - McNeese State

 

[cyclone1209]

Just checked 247 to see where some of our departures landed:
Jacob Ellis - Colorado State
AJ Burton - Northern Colorado
Trevon Howard - Arkansas State (we'll see him next year)
Trent Jones - UConn
Drake Knobloch - Baylor
Ryan Robinson - McNeese State

We did pretty well in mitigating losses in portal. Really the football program has done that the whole time Campbell has been here.

My question is who is our next stud at DE? The best Cyclone defenses had a difference maker whether it was Jaquan Bailey or Will McDonald.

I wouldn't mind us seeing getting another portal DE or juco, and we have to keep elevating the talent there with high school players. Jack Limbaugh is one where he looks like a 4 star talent, had a number of power 5 offers. I think he may play early some on passing downs if he can really make an impact in summer camp. DE was one of our weakest positions last year.

I also hope we go back to a 4 man front more because I fear that other programs will leverage our current system to get guys to leave. If school ABC tells a defensive end at ISU "if you play here your sack numbers will go up in our system". That would be enticing a little bit and wouldn't be inaccurate. If Tyler Onyedim has tons of sacks at A&M this year that would at least give me some pause and frustration. I worry about our recruiting there a little bit going forward at D Line. Asking guys to be double teamed on every play in a 3 man front is difficult. Rushing 3 and dropping 8 is the defensive equivalent to the triple option. It's watching paint dry to me, doesn't put pressure on an offense, and I think it's going to be a net negative if we stick with it. It only worked in certain years b/c Enyi Uwazurike and Will M. were bona fide NFL starters. Without guys like that its a crappy system that results in zero pass rush. The best offense we played this year were Arizona State and Kansas. They destroyed our D in both games.