'26 TN OT Kamari Blair

[Adam Sandler]

He's taken a portal guy almost every cycle. Not sure how he's "not a portal guy". I still think he looks there for a couple of bodies this next cycle as we are not in on any of the top DL left on the board.

Moi. Who before that? Juco doesn’t count. He’s had like all seniors and a gap between so he needed to fill a college ready guy in there in case his guys weren’t ready. I’m excited to see next year when the line is all developed cruits: west Hobbs, Campbell/utley, Joseph/herring/ross

 

[SugarCC]

Or it could be we realize recruiting is about the future. Guys on the roster could not pan out, could get hurt, could transfer, or take their turn on the OL before going pro. You're not recruiting OL to come in and play immediately. You're getting guys in to get them S&C and weight training, so they'll be ready to play down the road. As someone said earlier, we've seen what happens when we go a class without OL. So you're always recruiting the next guys so as to never be thin at the position.

First off, 2012, thirteen years ago, has no bearing on this conversation at all...I thought the same whenever I read OP mention it; as we have 3 OL already committed.

Second, I agree with pretty much all of your thinking, and what you've said...at least 2 IOL each class; I'm greedy, so ill take even more, tbh. We have one committed (if we dont land another, hopefully we can find 1 or 2 others through the portal to add with Baker...we just signed two high-quality guys from there to play G); and, all of those interior guys I mentioned, 8-10 of them, have multiple years left, including the two we got from the portal. We are super young across our OL with the talent Elarbee and THIS staff have brought in. Some will have the goods, others won't.

Which leads me to third: it's a dead horse by now, but it still rings true...the portal changed everything. While yes, some of ours will hop in; but, we can shop the portal, too. This staff has shown that they mainly target multiple-years-left guys there, and not just one season and gone.

I guess what I'm saying is: if Baker is the only IOL we take this cycle, while disappointed that we couldn't close Gray, I won't be too despondent, knowing we still have MULTIPLE guys already on campus, plus the portal.

If we dont sign another WR or RB, not only will I be super bummed out missing on both Keys and Hiter...I'll be extra bummed out because we truly NEED another WR, and a RB in the class.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

He's taken a portal guy almost every cycle. Not sure how he's "not a portal guy". I still think he looks there for a couple of bodies this next cycle as we are not in on any of the top DL left on the board.

Crazy that developing your own players well enough where you don't have to buy players out the portal and get good value on players that fit is a problem now...

In case someone wants to bring me up saying bring in a transfer to replace Pearce opposite Josephs that was fully to invest into going all in for Nico's draft year. That has obviously changed..

 

[Vol423]

Crazy that developing your own players well enough where you don't have to buy players out the portal and get good value on players that fit is a problem now...

In case someone wants to bring me up saying bring in a transfer to replace Pearce opposite Josephs that was fully to invest into going all in for Nico's draft year. That has obviously changed..

Too many fans are convinced that the portal is crucial. Heavy use of the portal indicates you have a major problem.

 

[Weezer]

Moi. Who before that? Juco doesn’t count. He’s had like all seniors and a gap between so he needed to fill a college ready guy in there in case his guys weren’t ready. I’m excited to see next year when the line is all developed cruits: west Hobbs, Campbell/utley, Joseph/herring/ross

This coming season we have Schell. Before Moi, can't believe you're forgetting ONL. No one in '22, but Da'Jon Terry and Caleb Tremblay in '21.

 

[Weezer]

First off, 2012, thirteen years ago, has no bearing on this conversation at all...I thought the same whenever I read OP mention it; as we have 3 OL already committed.

Second, I agree with pretty much all of your thinking, and what you've said...at least 2 IOL each class; I'm greedy, so ill take even more, tbh. We have one committed (if we dont land another, hopefully we can find 1 or 2 others through the portal to add with Baker...we just signed two high-quality guys from there to play G); and, all of those interior guys I mentioned, 8-10 of them, have multiple years left, including the two we got from the portal. We are super young across our OL with the talent Elarbee and THIS staff have brought in. Some will have the goods, others won't.

Which leads me to third: it's a dead horse by now, but it still rings true...the portal changed everything. While yes, some of ours will hop in; but, we can shop the portal, too. This staff has shown that they mainly target multiple-years-left guys there, and not just one season and gone.

I guess what I'm saying is: if Baker is the only IOL we take this cycle, while disappointed that we couldn't close Gray, I won't be too despondent, knowing we still have MULTIPLE guys already on campus, plus the portal.

If we dont sign another WR or RB, not only will I be super bummed out missing on both Keys and Hiter...I'll be extra bummed out because we truly NEED another WR, and a RB in the class.

The portal is great for getting solid players. If we get lucky, we land someone who performs better than their billing. But, IMO, you get higher potential players from HS. At least, we do. We don't chase the upper echelon of the portal. If we really want to close the talent gap, we're more likely to do it through HS recruiting.

 

[BelievetheHeup2022]

I think you don't want to rely heavily on the portal, but you don't want to ignore it either. The portal is good to bring in plug and play guys that require minimal development to see the field. To me it's to be used if you miss on your targets in recruiting and don't want to take a lesser ranked player to fill up space at that position. It could also be used to fill an immediate need like we did with Aguilar when Nico's family loaded up their truck moved back to Cali. I think we could have been a little more aggressive this past portal cycle to get another WR and a safety. But I also don't want to see resources tied up in marginal players out of desperation.

 

[DaddyChad]

Moi. Who before that? Juco doesn’t count. He’s had like all seniors and a gap between so he needed to fill a college ready guy in there in case his guys weren’t ready. I’m excited to see next year when the line is all developed cruits: west Hobbs, Campbell/utley, Joseph/herring/ross

RG likes having a lot of guys to rotate in and out and bring constant havoc and pressure. His philosophy is you better play your ass off when you get in. He will gladly take a guy out of the portal if he thinks he can help. Moi and ONL were big additions. We’ve had other guys we’ve also went after but not landed.

 

[Adam Sandler]

This coming season we have Schell. Before Moi, can't believe you're forgetting ONL. No one in '22, but Da'Jon Terry and Caleb Tremblay in '21.

Oh yeah I guess they were portal. Whatever I still feel like he’s no more a portal guy than the other coaches.

 

[LaagerVol]

The portal is great for getting solid players. If we get lucky, we land someone who performs better than their billing. But, IMO, you get higher potential players from HS. At least, we do. We don't chase the upper echelon of the portal. If we really want to close the talent gap, we're more likely to do it through HS recruiting.

Right, not like we’ve ever signed a 5 star OT from the portal, or went hard after a former 5 star WR.

Staff goes for who they think fits, not who volnation thinks they should go for.

 

[Weezer]

Right, not like we’ve ever signed a 5 star OT from the portal, or went hard after a former 5 star WR.

Staff goes for who they think fits, not who volnation thinks they should go for.

Heard was actually rated a 4* in the portal, 5* out of HS. Hopefully he's healed up and playing like a 5* this season.

We sign solid players from the portal. Heard was a rare exception of need where we were willing to engage in a bidding war. We normally avoid those. There have been plenty of higher ranked players that could have fit in here, that definitely would have made an impact here, but that we never pursued because of cost.

 

[LaagerVol]

Heard was actually rated a 4* in the portal, 5* out of HS. Hopefully he's healed up and playing like a 5* this season.

We sign solid players from the portal. Heard was a rare exception of need where we were willing to engage in a bidding war. We normally avoid those. There have been plenty of higher ranked players that could have fit in here, that definitely would have made an impact here, but that we never pursued because of cost.

You said “we don’t chase the upper echelon in the portal”, spoken in absolute.

We DO chase the upper echelon when we feel it’s the best fit and worth the cost. Coaches just disagree with volnation on who is worth what. Volnation thinks we should break the bank on every good player in the portal

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Too many fans are convinced that the portal is crucial. Heavy use of the portal indicates you have a major problem.

Agreed. Developing HS kids that have years in our system and culture will always outperform equal talented guys brought in as mercenaries across the board like Lane has been doing at OM. I like the way CJH has used the portal...and their evaluations have been great. Look how many portal guys we have put in the NFL from Hendon and Joe to the WRs, this year will be McCoy and Moe. Build the team thru recruiting...fill holes in the roster and/or upgrade talent at critical positions via the portal. This staff has been excellent at spotting guys that can come in and produce immediately then make the NFL from the portal while only taking a few players each season IMO.

 

[LaagerVol]

Agreed. Developing HS kids that have years in our system and culture will always outperform equal talented guys brought in as mercenaries across the board like Lane has been doing at OM. I like the way CJH has used the portal...and their evaluations have been great. Look how many portal guys we have put in the NFL from Hendon and Joe to the WRs, this year will be McCoy and Moe. Build the team thru recruiting...fill holes in the roster and/or upgrade talent at critical positions via the portal. This staff has been excellent at spotting guys that can come in and produce immediately then make the NFL from the portal while only taking a few players each season IMO.

Agreed. I like the way they are doing it. Modeling it after successful NFL teams

Build through the draft (HS recruiting)
Place a premium on certain positions (QB, OT, EDGE)
Fill holes judiciously in free agency (porthole)
Setting a value and not panic overpaying

 

[sonofUT62]

Greenville cost of living shot up during covid as well. It was almost over night

Do they still have that cheap gas?

 

[Weezer]

You said “we don’t chase the upper echelon in the portal”, spoken in absolute.

We DO chase the upper echelon when we feel it’s the best fit and worth the cost. Coaches just disagree with volnation on who is worth what. Volnation thinks we should break the bank on every good player in the portal

You took it as an absolute. As far as others, I can't speak for them, but I don't expect us to chase every highly rated prospect in the portal. But there have certainly been highly rated prospects we could have chased that would have been difference makers on this team. But we didn't.


I like Josh Heupel and hope he has a long successful career here; I just don't put him on the "peddle stool" that you and others do. It's okay to criticize choices and missed opportunities. No one is attacking the excellent job he's done thus far, we all just want to take that next step. And I know HE wants to take that next step. Criticism does not equal "fahr him!".

 

[NighthawkVol]

This coming season we have Schell. Before Moi, can't believe you're forgetting ONL. No one in '22, but Da'Jon Terry and Caleb Tremblay in '21.

Terry could’ve been a stud here if he stayed.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

You took it as an absolute. As far as others, I can't speak for them, but I don't expect us to chase every highly rated prospect in the portal. But there have certainly been highly rated prospects we could have chased that would have been difference makers on this team. But we didn't.


I like Josh Heupel and hope he has a long successful career here; I just don't put him on the "peddle stool" that you and others do. It's okay to criticize choices and missed opportunities. No one is attacking the excellent job he's done thus far, we all just want to take that next step. And I know HE wants to take that next step. Criticism does not equal "fahr him!".

Criticism without comprehensive knowledge of the amount of due diligence and the findings is just a manifestation of agenda driven OPINIONS. Regardless of intent. If starting market value is too high, or character driven calculations on sustaining their services have to be part of risk/reward calculations. Hard to fairly analyze from man caves.

 

[Weezer]

Criticism without comprehensive knowledge of the amount of due diligence and the findings is just a manifestation of agenda driven OPINIONS. Regardless of intent. If starting market value is too high, or character driven calculations on sustaining their services have to be part of risk/reward calculations. Hard to fairly analyze from man caves.

So no one on here should ever criticize a coach or a decision in your opinion?

 

[Jackcrevol]

So no one on here should ever criticize a coach or a decision in your opinion?

criticize when necessary

 

[Buzzbait]

Someone please edit the title to indicate COMMIT status.

 

[BigBadVol]

Absolute.craphole.

I have built an apartment complex and a 200 unit old folks home there. Both in summertime...when the only thing separating Columbia from Hell is a screendoor. Its a run down, miserable excuse for a capitol in a poor state. Wouldnt move there for double my salary.

I lived in SC for years and you are exactly right, there is nothing good in that city. I used to go there for some legislative stuff concerning my profession and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

So no one on here should ever criticize a coach or a decision in your opinion?

With knowledge of facts, all is good. Speculative positions are better presented as real, not rhetorical questions. Too many HE SHOULD HAVE and not enough SHOULD HE HAVE posts.

In these recruit discussions not being privy to conversations, our calculated value and the players required number, at a minimum, makes declarative statements a bit arrogant and fundamentally baseless. That is before locker room fit is even a relevant factor. The opinion defense can get real weak real fast and inherently invite alternate opinions on those opinions.

I appreciate those that bring facts, both good and bad, to these boards.

In recruiting not all perceived wins are good, not all perceived losses are bad.

 

[LaagerVol]

You took it as an absolute. As far as others, I can't speak for them, but I don't expect us to chase every highly rated prospect in the portal. But there have certainly been highly rated prospects we could have chased that would have been difference makers on this team. But we didn't.


I like Josh Heupel and hope he has a long successful career here; I just don't put him on the "peddle stool" that you and others do. It's okay to criticize choices and missed opportunities. No one is attacking the excellent job he's done thus far, we all just want to take that next step. And I know HE wants to take that next step. Criticism does not equal "fahr him!".

I look at 30 wins in the last 3 seasons after we were in the absolute pits, and see positives. Are there a couple of things I have a wait and see approach on? Sure, but I’m not looking for every negative. I don’t think anyone has a “never question to coaches attitude”, it’s just the same old griping day in and day out for no reason that gets tiresome.

We have maybe the best AD in the country. We have a great coach who has proven on the field that he can win with less. You guys act like they are clueless and don’t have a plan. You don’t think they know exactly what the team needs are and exactly what’s in the portal? Just because they don’t drool over every shiny object in the portal?

Danny White and Josh Heupel know how to run a football program better than Weezer on Volnation

 

[Weezer]

I look at 30 wins in the last 3 seasons after we were in the absolute pits, and see positives. Are there a couple of things I have a wait and see approach on? Sure, but I’m not looking for every negative. I don’t think anyone has a “never question to coaches attitude”, it’s just the same old griping day in and day out for no reason that gets tiresome.

We have maybe the best AD in the country. We have a great coach who has proven on the field that he can win with less. You guys act like they are clueless and don’t have a plan. You don’t think they know exactly what the team needs are and exactly what’s in the portal? Just because they don’t drool over every shiny object in the portal?

Danny White and Josh Heupel know how to run a football program better than Weezer on Volnation

Here's an idea. If reading Weezer's opinions on VN is so upsetting to you, put me on ignore, or just log off of VN altogether, because message boards are meant for people to express their opinions.

And as for Heupel, I know he's smart enough to realize he has to recruit better. End of the day, you make do with who you have, the best you can, but he knows he needs to narrow the talent gap. If you think me stating something he would agree with is somehow offensive, that shows a lack of understanding on your part.