Figured with transfer portal season upon us, we could have a dedicated thread. 

 

Jacob Lacey - Oklahoma

Joe Wilkins - Miami (OH)

Drew Pyne - ASU

Jayden Bellamy - Syracuse

Ostia Ekwonu - 

Cane Berrong -
 

Incoming Transfer Portal Tracker:

 

Deion Sanders basically told all the Colorado players to hit the portal

21 minutes ago, TexasDomer said:

Deion Sanders basically told all the Colorado players to hit the portal

 

Colorado could easily compete for the PAC12 championship next year at this rate... Look at U$C's turnaround with their free agency.

Jayden Bellamy in the portal

2 hours ago, NDhoosier said:

There will be a lot of transfers, but ND fans shouldnt overreact to it. It is the nature of college football. Alabama just lost its STARTING Guard to the portal. Backup players will transfer, as long as we dont lose anyone big, I wont be upset.

... but Im willing to bet ND fans will still overreact to each person leaving and say there is a "locker room problem" or something. lol

I would have to imagine because of ND’s degree that “starters” would reconsider leaving because of that degree. Can always get a degree and grad transfer and play somewhere else. 

1 hour ago, coltssb said:

I would have to imagine because of ND’s degree that “starters” would reconsider leaving because of that degree. Can always get a degree and grad transfer and play somewhere else. 

ND does a great job of having players get degrees in 3.5 years (early admittance plus summer classes) so second year players may stick at ND for an extra year to get their degree.

It's much quieter than I'd expected - on both sides of the portal.  Maybe it's still going to heat up, though.  Seems like a lot of these kids have their landing spot (or at least some assurances) before they announce.

ND's NIL Collectives could also have an impact on ND players staying. My understanding is that every ND football player (including walk-ons) gets something from the ND associated collectives. As a result, most back-up players who transfer will probably not get the same amount of NIL money from their new school.

Good point.  I figured Irish Players Club would factor favorably against other schools, given the ND brand reach.  The portal and recruiting might both see a positive impact.

Is the concern the backup players? Seems to me the concern is high performers like Morrison who probably had about 50 “uncles” trying to call him this week.

5 minutes ago, EddieAngel said:

Is the concern the backup players? Seems to me the concern is high performers like Morrison who probably had about 50 “uncles” trying to call him this week.

Ha ha.  I think it's critical to keep as many kids as you can.  Shouldn't see too many starters in question (Pyne notwithstanding, or if we bring in a big ticket transfer).

If you can upgrade, great, but it's a tough balance.  You have to motivate guys to stay, backup guys, scout team guys.  A kid might start only 1 year, but he's still an important piece - how do you keep him around working for 3 years?  How does the team know that they'll be rewarded in time (like Salerno, Vinson, even Tariq Bracy this year)?

That's a locker room culture that the staff has to cultivate.  Seems like they must be doing that as quiet as it's been (knock on wood).  If we can keep guys to develop, we won't need to reach on too many guys in the portal.

It is believed that the backup corners from the 2021 class are all in jeopardy of leaving due to Morrison's rise... Even Mickey has jumped them it seems like.

1 hour ago, NDhoosier said:

It is believed that the backup corners from the 2021 class are all in jeopardy of leaving due to Morrison's rise... Even Mickey has jumped them it seems like.

Plus a couple highly rated freshmen in January.  I noticed a decent number of strong CBs in the portal, too, but I wouldn't expect ND making much of a play there.  Guys aren't transferring to be 2nd string, typically.

Looks like LB Ostia Ekwonu entered the portal per Blue and Gold’s IG feed. 
 

Not surprising with so many top LBs coming and in the current frosh class 

Edited December 6, 20222 yr by USAFA03_HUGENDFAN
Typo fix

I hate the portal for ND because it is largely a one-way street. Underclassmen leave and don't get replaced. I'm not counting recruits. 

ND is basically limited to 5th year grad transfers. I refuse to believe there aren't  unhappy undergads at other schools who can hack it academically. I'm talking about beyond the Stanfords, Vanderbilts, Northwesterns, but it seems we don't even look at those guys either.  ND is doing themselves an enormous disservice here.