Portal intakes

[stinger 1957]

In the recruiting thread about our 5 star OL Petty, I wrote that Key and our staff should focus on All conference type guys outside of Power 4 conferences. This is exactly what Key is doing, among other Portal strategies. The two portal DB commits are young guys with multiple years that are excelling beyond their recruiting rankings.

Kelvin Hill, on top of what you highlighted:
-43 tackles, 5 PBUs
-2024 College Football Network (CFN) Freshmen All American
-Started 12 games as a TRUE Freshmen, 3 years of eligibility left

Daiquan White:
-50 tackles, 18 PBUs (11 in 2024...tied for #1 in the MAC)
-Considered Eastern Michigan's top defensive recruit in the 2023 class
-2023 CFN Freshmen All American
-2024 MAC All Conference Honorable Mention

Both are VERY strong against the run. They graded about average against the pass overall, but they had some very strong games against the pass as well.

IMO, very worst case scenario for this two is they are high level backups that are part of a strong rotation. Given what we're bring in with the 2025 recruiting class, DB, along with OL/RB/QB, are positions that will be deep for the next few years (at least on paper).

You say deep for next few years, hope you are right, anyone staying a few years in the new CFB seems to me to be a real long shot.

 

[Techster]

You say deep for next few years, hope you are right, anyone staying a few years in the new CFB seems to me to be a real long shot.

100%...that's why I put the qualifier "at least on paper".

 

[bke1984]

You say deep for next few years, hope you are right, anyone staying a few years in the new CFB seems to me to be a real long shot.

Agreed. Honestly the biggest thing I’m worried about right now is not the next 3-4 years. It’s what happens after that! Let’s say Buster and Santucci leave, King and Philo leave, we go 5-7 and look very suspect. It’s not far fetched to see players leaving in a mass exodus.

Or what if you end up parting with a coach? Look at Marshall right now. Their coach demands more money and when he can’t get it basically the entire team transfers. Who knows what kind of cash that guy was demanding in negotiations, but seriously…maybe Marshall couldn’t afford it. So every player goes and they essentially start over?

This whole thing is beyond broken. Everything is super fragile for EVERY team. Even uGA is one small event away from being the worst team in the SEC due to some crazy exodus of coaches and players.

I guess in some ways it’s cool. There’s more parity. But it’s also difficult to build anything that’s not fragile.

 

[jgtengineer]

Agreed. Honestly the biggest thing I’m worried about right now is not the next 3-4 years. It’s what happens after that! Let’s say Buster and Santucci leave, King and Philo leave, we go 5-7 and look very suspect. It’s not far fetched to see players leaving in a mass exodus.

Or what if you end up parting with a coach? Look at Marshall right now. Their coach demands more money and when he can’t get it basically the entire team transfers. Who knows what kind of cash that guy was demanding in negotiations, but seriously…maybe Marshall couldn’t afford it. So every player goes and they essentially start over?

This whole thing is beyond broken. Everything is super fragile for EVERY team. Even uGA is one small event away from being the worst team in the SEC due to some crazy exodus of coaches and players.

I guess in some ways it’s cool. There’s more parity. But it’s also difficult to build anything that’s not fragile.

in 4 years we are likely in the big 10. Also marshallw as a completely different problem Huff was constantly at odds with teh AD. It was a bobinksi type situation.

 

[gtee91]

There are a lot of DL in the portal, not really seeing much for targets or visits...we need some depth...not expecting we can get 5stars but we should be getting something

 

[Buzzforlife]

 

[Buzzforlife]

Kyle Efford coming back.

 

[minorityoption]

This is a really odd new dynamic. I am glad Shelley is returning, but it never crossed my mind whether he would be leaving or not.

 

[bke1984]

in 4 years we are likely in the big 10. Also marshallw as a completely different problem Huff was constantly at odds with teh AD. It was a bobinksi type situation.

Ok…so what? Being in the B1G does not address the problem I outlined at all.

 

[JacketOff]

This is a really odd new dynamic. I am glad Shelley is returning, but it never crossed my mind whether he would be leaving or not.

I hope everybody comes back. Following players for 4-5 years as they mature and get better has been part of the fun of college sports forever. But it is weird that players feel like they need to announce that they’re coming back. So they can get a pat on the head and high fives for actually sticking to a commitment? I’m super glad Philo will be back, but imagine 5 years ago celebrating the fact that your true freshman backup QB would announce publicly that he’s returning to the team next year? It’s the weirdest phenomenon.

 

[MountainBuzzMan]

I hope everybody comes back. Following players for 4-5 years as they mature and get better has been part of the fun of college sports forever. But it is weird that players feel like they need to announce that they’re coming back. So they can get a pat on the head and high fives for actually sticking to a commitment? I’m super glad Philo will be back, but imagine 5 years ago celebrating the fact that your true freshman backup QB would announce publicly that he’s returning to the team next year? It’s the weirdest phenomenon.

I agree, it is so weird. But something we need to get used to as it is the new norm

 

[g0lftime]

Kyle Efford coming back.

I hope whatever shoulder injury he has, gets well.

 

[4shotB]

AGTG! I am announcing that I am coming back as a fan. This decision was not made without input from my family, friends and agent. It’s season 48 for me and there’s still work to be done. Respect my decision. #together we swarm #Ididn’twanttospendmoneyondifferentgear
#toolazytochangenow

 

[awbuzz]

AGTG! I am announcing that I am coming back as a fan. This decision was not made without input from my family, friends and agent. It’s season 48 for me and there’s still work to be done. Respect my decision. #together we swarm #Ididn’twanttospendmoneyondifferentgear
#toolazytochangenow

Have to love your commitment

 

[Jacket4Life]

Kyle Efford coming back.

Yes he announced he is coming back.

 

[kg01]

AGTG! I am announcing that I am coming back as a fan. This decision was not made without input from my family, friends and agent. It’s season 48 for me and there’s still work to be done. Respect my decision. #together we swarm #Ididn’twanttospendmoneyondifferentgear
#toolazytochangenow

Subtraction by addition?

 

[4shotB]

Have to love your commitment

If I were completely transparent here, I would admit to not having any better offers. I tried hard to leave.

 

[Techwood Relict]

If I were completely transparent here, I would admit to not having any better offers. I tried hard to leave.

I'm surprised you made the grades, but good on you. Ice Cream 301 is not an easy curriculum.

 

[iceeater1969]

Kyle Efford coming back.

Ok, lets move him to RB.
We moved WR and that was great.

We need a RB that can run behind ol, cut off thier hip, and go like crazy diagonally for 5 to 10 yds. Dontae Kle Efford.

 

[SandySpringsJacket]

So now, this whole transfer portal thing had gotten so out of control that players have to announce that they are coming back? I am getting too for this. But still cannot help but love GT football.