Transfer Cycle 2024-2025 - Tampering with Success

[closetojumping 65735]

Spoilered below is Bobby's thread of the day, focused on transfers out of Texas. tl/dr version is to expect some pain. Not a surprise.

Spoiler

A second group of Texas players have officially entered the portal:

LB Derion Gullette

DL Aaron Bryant

DE Tausili Akana

They’re added to a list that already includes WR Johntay Cook and DL Jaray Bledsoe.

**

None of the newer portal entries came as a particular surprise to the Longhorns.

- Gullette was close to entering the portal after spring ball. He saw very little action this season in a minor reserve role. He would have seemed to be an obvious candidate for special teams involvement but that never happened either.

- Bryant has failed to earn more playing time this season even after healing from injury. And I think it was clear to him that Texas intended to recruit over him in the portal.

- Akana was simply buried on the depth chart as Texas has continued to recruit bigger, longer-armed, NFL-caliber athletes at the edge position.

**

I think it’s very important to note that none of these three were harmful to the team on the way out.

Bryant in particular is someone who is well-liked by teammates and appreciated by just about everyone. He simply wasn’t a good enough player despite working his tail off.

Of the group Gullette would still appear to have the most upside. It just may not be at linebacker.

Akana and his family love the Longhorns. His body just never quite developed the way some others. And his sister, of course, plays for the Longhorns volleyball team and is a two-time national champion.

The hope is all of these Longhorns find a new home, earn a degree and do well for themselves immediately and into the future both on and off the field.

**

I continue to hear that Johntay Cook is having some issues finding a home right now. Cook’s off-field, post-transfer shenanigans apparently have not exactly endeared to him to some.

And, I will add this for posterity.

Wide receiver is the one position where there are plenty of productive, high-quality players available in the portal each and every year.

Bottom line: good teams are not looking for headaches out of the transfer portal. They’re looking for production.

**

Some have asked if Texas might lose any players of consequence to the portal.

The short answer is yes. But I don’t think the cuts overall will be too deep.

I’m told that there “might” be two. While neither are starters, one has a key role on the team and the other could have a clear path to playing time in the future.

We’ll see what happens because it remains up in the air somewhat.

And yes, I’m purposely not naming names at this point or giving further hints for a reason.

 

[Pato del Muerto 53767]

1 hour ago, Richter said:

rebuilds.  Places like LSU that don't have the cash to keep up with the Joneses might do better with a more developmental conservative approach than star-chasing.  

Those fuckers got real used to having all of the in state 5 star talent going there for a small to medium bag. And there was enough of that level of talent in La to fill out their roster.  
I don’t think they are, as a collective fanbase, what you would classify as quick learners. So the new paradigm of big money offers from west, east, and north is going to take some time to sink in. 
 

they are going to have to drastically increase their state transportation and hospital budget if they want to have anywhere near enough money to steal from. 

Edited December 10 by Pato del Muerto

[hookem2010 2701]

10 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

What do you mean by historically a major player? Because the current #1 team in the country checks a lot of those boxes and isn't a blue blood by any means. 

I would say that Oregon has been nationally relevant for a couple of decades, long before NIL.

[NoName 17303]

14 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

What do you mean by historically a major player? Because the current #1 team in the country checks a lot of those boxes and isn't a blue blood by any means. 

Just taking this opportunity to point out that despite Daddy Phil being so involved over the last 20 plus Yeats, Oregon has no national championships, even claimed, and has a losing bowl record. 

[closetojumping 65735]

4 minutes ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Those fuckers got real used to having all of the on state 5 star talent going to is for a small to medium bag. And there was enough of that level of talent in La to fill out their roster.  
I don’t think they are, as a collective fanbase, what you would classify as quick learners. So the new paradigm of big money offers from west, east, and north is going to take some time to sink in. 
 

they are going to have to drastically increase their state transportation and hospital budget if they want to have anywhere near enough money to steal from. 

I have a buddy who is friends with a connected LSU guy. That dude asked my buddy to get my opinion on House basically coming in and resetting things to the good ol'days. "House is going to end portal use and collectives, isn't it? This stuff isn't sustainable. " Just begging. 

Who would have ever thought that LSU, Bama, Georgia, Clemson and a handful of smaller schools would be aligning so tightly with the NCAA when it comes to compliance across the landscape. The funny part is that it hasn't really dawned on these programs and their fanbases how pathetic they look in all of this. It also hasn't really hit them yet that many other programs are fully happy to currently tell their side to go get goatfucked for all we care. Tennessee isn't whining. Texas isn't whining. Nor Auburn or Oregon or Ole Miss or Ohio State or Michigan. Florida and Miami seem fine with it.

It's glorious. Go be poor somewhere else. 

[Vito Andolini 9467]

I’ve read on these boards Fertitta just gives a shit about basketball, right? He could make a difference at Cougar High. 

(And if you’re reading this Tilman, thank you for not retaining Golden, by the way.)

Edited December 10 by Vito Andolini

[Bevo 13966]

6 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

I’m told that there “might” be two. While neither are starters, one has a key role on the team and the other could have a clear path to playing time in the future.

Sounds like one on offense who plays in goal line formations. The other is probably a TE. But we have a few WRs who are further down on the depth chart, a few OL, a few DBs, a couple of DEs. Basically, I could see 10 additional guys who could leave to make roster room.

[Teryor 5028]

Bye guy

[gmr548 16706]

15 hours ago, Hookem2147 said:

 

Man this one is really weird to me. Will be interesting to see what comes of it. 

14 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

Plus you figure his current head coach will give Texas the straight info on him.

Without all the fuff, one could say.

42 minutes ago, hookem2010 said:

Is there a school with money that hasn't historically been a major player that has the ability and interest to take advantage of the changing landscape and become somewhat of a regular contender?

Uh, Oregon?

Theoretically this is aggy, but you know, aggy.

Could also be second tier Texas programs like Tech, TCU, UH in the Big 12, or SMU in the ACC if the stars align for them. SMU seems the closest with booster buy in and recent on field success.

 

[Vito Andolini 9467]

Holy shit, this dude is still just a junior? And you know he’s not leaving. Dude is living his best life. I hope he’s helping the team GPA, and he’d better write a big ass check someday…

https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/football/roster/max-merril/13444

[texifornia 59221]

4 minutes ago, Vito Andolini said:

Holy shit, this dude is still just a junior? And you know he’s not leaving. Dude is living his best life. I hope he’s helping the team GPA, and he’d better write a big ass check someday…

https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/football/roster/max-merril/13444

Walked at senior day

[Fondren & Main 6922]

What's the plan at DT?  Yikes.

Edited December 10 by Fondren & Main

[UTEX_ME 4288]

5 minutes ago, Vito Andolini said:

Holy shit, this dude is still just a junior? And you know he’s not leaving. Dude is living his best life. I hope he’s helping the team GPA, and he’d better write a big ass check someday…

https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/football/roster/max-merril/13444

I believe he walked at senior day. 

[Teryor 5028]

1 minute ago, Fondren & Main said:

What's the plan at DT?  Yikes.

We're just not playing DT's next year. That's the plan. Our coaches were too stupid so no more nose tackles. Stocks up on safeties and cornerbacks because our coaches don't have a full depth chart on December 10th and we're reinventing defense.

[Ricky's one-hitter 9622]

5 minutes ago, Fondren & Main said:

What's the plan at DT?  Yikes.

Savea has been discussed. Turns out he's a spare

[TrashMaster G 18256]

Re: Cook

FAFO, buddy

[Ricky's one-hitter 9622]

1 minute ago, TrashMaster G said:

Re: Cook

FAFO, buddy

[NoName 17303]

Belicheck to UNC. Better move fast if they are going to get active in the portal

 

 

[HenryJames 67680]

Just go get a Tom Brady every couple of years and voila.

[Fondren & Main 6922]

6 minutes ago, Ricky's one-hitter said:

Savea has been discussed. Turns out he's a spare

I'm aware of that, but the depth chart is looking awfully thin and young now.

[Ricky's one-hitter 9622]

1 minute ago, Fondren & Main said:

I'm aware of that, but the depth chart is looking awfully thin and young now.

Should probably take some transfers, huh. 

[Red Five 41910]

14 minutes ago, Fondren & Main said:

What's the plan at DT?  Yikes.

Get three in the portal and play them with January, Mitchell, and Terry. 

[Hookem2147 22098]

Third stringers announcing their transfer through their agent will never not be funny to me

[Js1 87454]

2 minutes ago, Ricky's one-hitter said:

Should probably take some transfers, huh. 

Holy fuck someone tell the coaches 

[Teryor 5028]

Another guy we were in the running for

[texifornia 59221]

The concern trolling between the winter clearout and the transfer fiesta is becoming a cherished Portal tradition.

[Vito Andolini 9467]

2 minutes ago, Teryor said:

Another guy we were in the running for

I remember being surprised when I learned his first name was pronounced “Cameron.”

[6th Street 6713]

Hope we can hold on to guys like Jerrick Gibson and Filsaime

[NoName 17303]

4 minutes ago, Teryor said:

Another guy we were in the running for

Didn't get much run at LSU this year

 

Edited December 10 by NoName

[Texasrocks 2257]

57 minutes ago, Richter said:

Seems like with this new portal & NIL system, roster management & retention is a bigger deal more than ever.  It would probably take years if you had as much roster turnover as FSU, OU, & A&M.  Those and others seem to looking forward to substantial rebuilds.  Places like LSU that don't have the cash to keep up with the Joneses might do better with a more developmental conservative approach than star-chasing.  

LSU is like those characters in a post apocalyptic movie that survive the initial event, but refuse to accept that the world will never be the same. They keep telling everyone how important they were and then get torn apart by a pack of zombies. Except instead of zombies, it's Ole Miss and Auburn.

[Reynolds Woodcock 5130]

1 minute ago, 6th Street said:

Hope we can hold on to guys like Jerrick Gibson and Filsaime

Having absolutely zero inside knowledge, those are definitely two guys on my radar. We have the best overall safety play we've had since 2005, so not surprising that Filsaime isn't logging real minutes, but I feel like he hasn't made so much as a peep (and as far as I know isn't even getting special teams reps). Gibson probably feels like he should be getting more carries given our limitations, but that fumble a few weeks ago is tough to overcome.  

[OB3 3644]

 

[Katfid54 9007]

12 minutes ago, Teryor said:

Another guy we were in the running for

Maybe.  But Pimpton ain't easy.

[Pato del Muerto 53767]

37 minutes ago, Vito Andolini said:

Holy shit, this dude is still just a junior? And you know he’s not leaving. Dude is living his best life. I hope he’s helping the team GPA, and he’d better write a big ass check someday…

https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/football/roster/max-merril/13444

Strake pipeline

[BornAndRaised 12915]

NSIAP but it sounded like Bobby said we're going for the Utah punter in the portal? "Circle this name," was the verbiage used. 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4426752/jack-bouwmeester
https://utahutes.com/sports/football/roster/jack-bouwmeester/15353

Said he's averaging about 47 yard yards per punt. Pro-Kick alum

[DZX158 53]

5 minutes ago, 6th Street said:

Hope we can hold on to guys like Jerrick Gibson and Filsaime

They don’t need to transfer for playing time 

 

2 minutes ago, Reynolds Woodcock said:

Having absolutely zero inside knowledge, those are definitely two guys on my radar. We have the best overall safety play we've had since 2005, so not surprising that Filsaime isn't logging real minutes, but I feel like he hasn't made so much as a peep (and as far as I know isn't even getting special teams reps). Gibson probably feels like he should be getting more carries given our limitations, but that fumble a few weeks ago is tough to overcome.  

Gibson has no reason to transfer for playing time given the injuries at rb. He will get more than enough reps if he can fix his fumbling issues and improve in pass protection. With the guys going to the NFL at safety, Filsaime has a chance to be a key rotational player next year. If they bring in anyone from the portal at those spots that changes things.

 

[texifornia 59221]

8 minutes ago, OB3 said:

 

Is he an interesting prospect in any way?

[HenryJames 67680]

Just now, BornAndRaised said:

Pro-Kick alum

Certainly don't want any of those Anti-Kick alums.

[BornAndRaised 12915]

 

[Texasrocks 2257]

1 minute ago, texifornia said:

Is he an interesting prospect in any way?

He is to me. There's no one in the RB room like him.

[Post Oak 20616]

4 minutes ago, BornAndRaised said:

 

Size wise he fits what they're looking for

[TexasGolf 5528]

10 minutes ago, BornAndRaised said:

 

 

[TexasGolf 5528]

12 minutes ago, Texasrocks said:

He is to me. There's no one in the RB room like him.

he's a good red zone pound up the middle type back imo 

 

July 06, 2023: Update

 

Braylen Russell names a final three of Arkansas, South Carolina, and Tennessee

 

Edited December 10 by TexasGolf

[Ricky's one-hitter 9622]

 

 

[Sbbruin 22204]

1 hour ago, Teryor said:

Bye guy

We'll take him back.  We need DL badly.

[mwaadeeb 1372]

9 minutes ago, Ricky's one-hitter said:

 

 

The money makes this shit interesting anyway. Why not, if they'll give him 1.5 and some treated lumber?

Edited December 10 by mwaadeeb

[Teryor 5028]

23 minutes ago, texifornia said:

Is he an interesting prospect in any way?

You're fighting a losing battle but I'm just glad this "issue" is taking off

[TrashMaster G 18256]

11 minutes ago, Ricky's one-hitter said:

 

 

Wut?

[bad_teammate 13600]

Option 1 - Post a twitter embed that loads slow, takes up too much space, looks uninteresting, and will be pointless when quoted and require the reader to hit "expand" to even know what is being talked about.

Option 2 - Just type out the information which, while uninteresting, will be quick to process, not take up space, and be fine when quoted.

[texifornia 59221]

2 minutes ago, bad_teammate said:

Option 1 - Post a twitter embed that loads slow, takes up too much space, looks uninteresting, and will be pointless when quoted and require the reader to hit "expand" to even know what is being talked about.

Option 2 - Just type out the information which, while uninteresting, will be quick to process, not take up space, and be fine when quoted.

I like all the images and info in the tweets, and don't have to click expand on almost all of them.