'25 Portal Thread

[JCVol00]

At WR, we had Cedric Tillman and a bunch of unknowns heading into 2022. Jalin Hyatt had 21 catches and a ton of drops the prior year. We were replacing Velus Jones and Javonta Payton with a transfer and young guys.

Hyatt and Keyton had flashes and had more than 9 catches combined in their career, unlike this year when we return Brazzell, who had 333 yards last year, and Stayley/Matthews, who only have 9 combined catches

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Who evaluated Miles Kitselman better…Tennessee or the recruiting sites? How about Dylan Sampson?

We can’t complain about poor recruiting rankings and also complain about poor eval/deveopment. This program just went to the CFP in Year 4. Something is being done right.

Major complaints are just being picky at this point.

The biggest issues we have had are losing to teams we shouldn't, in ways we shouldn't (USCjr 22, Mizzou/FL 23 and Ark 24)

Being unable to beat UGA

Still need to prove we can beat FL or Bama on the road

It's already been an incredible turnaround and had we accomplished any of the above, them it would have bordered on miraculous, especially 22, since we would have been in the CFP and maybe the natty.

We are right on the doorstep and that's about as good as we can ask for considering what Heup dug us out of. Just about any program would need this much time to return to elite status after what we had gone through.

 

[deatojl]

Hyatt and Keyton had flashes and had more than 9 catches combined in their career, unlike this year when we return Brazzell, who had 333 yards last year, and Stayley/Matthews, who only have 9 combined catches

Ramel Keyton had 7 catches for 72 yards in 2021. Jalin Hyatt had 21 catches for 226 yards. Chris Brazzell had more catches for more yardage last year than both of them combined in 2021. Mike Matthews had more catches for more yards and more TDs last year than Keyton in 2021. Outside of Tillman(who was hurt early in the season and didn't really contribute in SEC play), our WR group going into this year is very comparable to what we had in 2022. The biggest difference is we had Hooker at QB.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Ramel Keyton had 7 catches for 72 yards in 2021. Jalin Hyatt had 21 catches for 226 yards. Chris Brazzell had more catches for more yardage last year than both of them combined in 2021. Mike Matthews had more catches for more yards and more TDs last year than Keyton in 2021. Outside of Tillman(who was hurt early in the season and didn't really contribute in SEC play), our WR group going into this year is very comparable to what we had in 2022. The biggest difference is we had Hooker at QB.

Hyatt also had a good freshman season

 

[Weezer]

I thinking the coaching is there, especially between Huepel and the defense. Some better recruiters, on offense specifically, would bring in a few more difference makers.

The coaching hasn't been there at WR and OL. If that continues this season, those position coaches need to be replaced.

 

[Jackcrevol]

The coaching hasn't been there at WR and OL. If that continues this season, those position coaches need to be replaced.

To me Pope's done if he cant get another top flight receiver to pair with FB. Its a joke that we've had two top QB's, three with GMac, and our WR room is still in this shape:

The lack of production is there.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

I did predict us to be 10-2

But not the way we did or being number 1 at one point.

Did you predict us to win at LSU and beat Bama? If so congrats.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

L

To me Pope's done if he cant get another top flight receiver to pair with FB. Its a joke that we've had two top QB's, three with GMac, and our WR room is still in this shape:

The lack of production is there.

that may not be all on Pope. Some of it may have to do with the way we rotate WRs. But I think Pope should be replaced sooner than later. Ever since Burns left the WRs have been bad.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Who evaluated Miles Kitselman better…Tennessee or the recruiting sites? How about Dylan Sampson?

We can’t complain about poor recruiting rankings and also complain about poor eval/deveopment. This program just went to the CFP in Year 4. Something is being done right.

You can always find some examples where the sites missed. But they get it right more often than wrong.

 

[MrVolton]

The coaching hasn't been there at WR and OL. If that continues this season, those position coaches need to be replaced.

Yeah, was talking those spots specifically.

 

[VolGee4]

Hyatt and Keyton had flashes and had more than 9 catches combined in their career, unlike this year when we return Brazzell, who had 333 yards last year, and Stayley/Matthews, who only have 9 combined catches

Hyatt had 20 catches, Keyton had 9, and Tillman had 9 (over 3 seasons). So much more production than what we are returning

 

[MrVolton]

The coaching hasn't been there at WR and OL. If that continues this season, those position coaches need to be replaced.

Yeah, was talking those spots specifically.

 

[JCVol00]

Ramel Keyton had 7 catches for 72 yards in 2021. Jalin Hyatt had 21 catches for 226 yards. Chris Brazzell had more catches for more yardage last year than both of them combined in 2021. Mike Matthews had more catches for more yards and more TDs last year than Keyton in 2021. Outside of Tillman(who was hurt early in the season and didn't really contribute in SEC play), our WR group going into this year is very comparable to what we had in 2022. The biggest difference is we had Hooker at QB.

Keyton had 20 career catches heading into ‘22, so we knew more about him heading into ‘22

 

[JCVol00]

Hyatt had 20 catches, Keyton had 9, and Tillman had 9 (over 3 seasons). So much more production than what we are returning

We had velus jones for ‘21, plus hyatt/keyton/tillman all had more receptions than stayley/matthews

 

[Ericvol2096]

According to Larry's projected roster, we're at 78 projected scholarship players for next season. Why didn't we hit the portal harder?

@Ericvol2096 - Is it a money problem? I agree in not overpaying guys, but it's odd to have as many open scholarships as we do when we can't really count them against probation anymore. And there's still a few good players out there. Like Zaquan Patterson.

Looks like Patterson committed to Oklahoma State tonight.

The explanation I’m hearing and VQ is trying to explain is that there are a lot of schools pre spending/committing their Rev Share money ”now/this summer/fall” and we are still only using donor funds to cover this 2025 football team.

So theoretically December signing class HS and December portal we should be in a really good position with Donor money freeing up with players graduating/leaving and all our rev share money to spend.

Sounds like Rev share money is going to be a July-June type annual limit but FB player deals are obviously running Jan-Dec primarily.

It’s hard to explain and I am hopeful that explanation is correct.

I also think we are just getting beat some with pretty comparable money sometimes too in just pure recruiting.

Hard to take that jump from very good to elite which we are trying to do.

 

[DarthVol1]

The explanation I’m hearing and VQ is trying to explain is that there are a lot of schools pre spending/committing their Rev Share money ”now/this summer/fall” and we are still only using donor funds to cover this 2025 football team.

So theoretically December signing class HS and December portal we should be in a eally good position with Donor money freeing up with players graduating/leaving and all our rev share money to spend.

Sounds like Rev share money is going to be a July-June type annual limit but FB player deals are obviously running Jan-Dec primarily.

It’s hard to explain and I am hopeful that explanation is correct.

I also think we are just getting beat some with pretty comparable money sometimes too in just pure recruiting.

Hard to take that jump from very good to elite which we are trying to do.

Makes sense and I am glad they are doing so. I think everyone is assuming the deal is going through and I am still convinced there will be 30 lawsuits waiting to be filed if it gets approved. Either from Olympic sports athletes that are going to lose their sports or reduced rosters, or football/basketball players that sue for the capping of NIL money. Maybe the AD is being smart to see how it plays out.

The sports being eliminated has already begun. Grand Canyon killed their 2024-25 final 4 volleyball team.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Makes sense and I am glad they are doing so. I think everyone is assuming the deal is going through and I am still convinced there will be 30 lawsuits waiting to be filed if it gets approved. Either from Olympic sports athletes that are going to lose their sports or reduced rosters, or football/basketball players that sue for the capping of NIL money. Maybe the AD is being smart to see how it plays out.

The sports being eliminated has already begun. Grand Canyon killed their 2024-25 final 4 volleyball team.

i'm all for taking a cerebral approach. I hope this is true. In this league there is no falling behind. We are extremely well position to take a step in 2026. Anyone conceding or not getting out in front of any issues needs to get out the damn way.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Also worth pointing out we’ve moved from a 47% blue chip ratio in 2024 season to 60% for 2025.

So we are probably all not acknowledging the talent jump everyone involved has help create.

We are just younger than we’ve all been used to the last few years, thin at WR and the NICO drama which is glaring and dominates the front of our minds.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Also worth pointing out we’ve moved from a 47% blue chip ratio in 2024 season to 60% for 2025.

So we are probably all not acknowledging the talent jump everyone involved has help create.

We are just younger than we’ve all been used to the last few years, thin at WR and the NICO drama which is glaring and dominates the front of our minds.

I dont we should ever let finances get in way of getting talent. I'm glad the coaches are happy with current roster.

If they arent careful the classes will get away from them. Hope for best, prepare for worst.

Right now I dont have a ton of confidence in our 2026 class, esp with having top QB in that class.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Did you predict us to win at LSU and beat Bama? If so congrats.

I predicted us to beat the tiggers, but lose to UGA and Bama.

 

[Vol8188]

The explanation I’m hearing and VQ is trying to explain is that there are a lot of schools pre spending/committing their Rev Share money ”now/this summer/fall” and we are still only using donor funds to cover this 2025 football team.

So theoretically December signing class HS and December portal we should be in a really good position with Donor money freeing up with players graduating/leaving and all our rev share money to spend.

Sounds like Rev share money is going to be a July-June type annual limit but FB player deals are obviously running Jan-Dec primarily.

It’s hard to explain and I am hopeful that explanation is correct.

I also think we are just getting beat some with pretty comparable money sometimes too in just pure recruiting.

Hard to take that jump from very good to elite which we are trying to do.

Do you believe give the QB situation that they’ve decided to go ahead and take a bigger hit to scholarship numbers this year in order to preserve room for 2026?

 

[VolGee4]

We had velus jones for ‘21, plus hyatt/keyton/tillman all had more receptions than stayley/matthews

Velus Jones had like 58 total catches in 5 seasons before 2021. He was a kick returner.

This is just overblown. Cedric Tillman wouldn’t be drafted if not for Heupel’s staff.

 

[volinexile17]

I dont we should ever let finances get in way of getting talent.

said every GM on every crappy franchise that can’t figure out why they always suck.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Also worth pointing out we’ve moved from a 47% blue chip ratio in 2024 season to 60% for 2025.

So we are probably all not acknowledging the talent jump everyone involved has help create.

We are just younger than we’ve all been used to the last few years, thin at WR and the NICO drama which is glaring and dominates the front of our minds.

Yeah we have been living off the covid super seniors since Heup has been here. Still have some left, but just don't need to stock up and depend on above average seniors anymore.

And we are still very veteran.

 

[Orange.]

I love huepel, and think hes the guy. what they did last year with that roster is impressive. but….

*Heupel