I like whats happening in the portal

[sufan59]

I hope there are a few players who can be true team leaders in that haul.

Counting from OX's roster post, we have 93 players right now (can have up to 105). 23 of them are in their 4th or 5th year. Leaving 70 who are in year 1 thru 3.

More concerning is that of 34 line of scrimmage players, only 9 are in Year 4 or 5.

That's a really young team. I'd say that sets up well for the future, but in today's insta-transfer world, it really means nothing.

Our run of a really good team every 6 years always has a lot of impact seniors.

You bring up good reasons on why if we are in the playoff with the opportunity to win a national championship of why this team would come up short if they face a team of older players that execute at a championship level, but at the same time while the team is younger, they are higher level players and athletes collectively. I said it even before last season with a young team compared to 2024 that the floor is still the lower, if you don't execute anything well, you can have all the talent in the world, you will lose a lot of football games. Angeli getting hurt basically destroyed the ability of the team to execute anything. However, the ceiling is higher in a long time at Syracuse because the level of player and athlete on the roster is different. We've had teams that did everything right, but they didn't have the level of ceiling we have now to accomplish greatness.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

We didn’t. Just more salty from the Salt City fans

We brought in 3 portal guys last year. We have 3 portal guys thus far for this year.

 

[djorange1989]

We brought in 3 portal guys last year. We have 3 portal guys thus far for this year.

4 now. And hopefully better guys, with an actual qualified and successful DC to run the D

 

[David321]

I'm still spoiled from Christmas time 2023. Admittedly I want big exciting splashes with players who have tons of big P4 offers.

 

[Cuse House]

I just don’t know with this transfer haul. Seems like some nice pieces, but overall it’s underwhelming to me. I like a few of the defensive pieces we’ve added. I do like the production route over potential. I’ll just have to wait and see how it goes. Again, I think the difference in coaches will be the biggest difference this year.

 

[sufan59]

I'm still spoiled from Christmas time 2023. Admittedly I want big exciting splashes with players who have tons of big P4 offers.

I just don’t know with this transfer haul. Seems like some nice pieces, but overall it’s underwhelming to me. I like a few of the defensive pieces we’ve added. I do like the production route over potential. I’ll just have to wait and see how it goes. Again, I think the difference in coaches will be the biggest difference this year.

Good points, I think coaching will make a huge difference. As long as Fran is here the next time I think we realistically see a December 2023 would be earliest after the 2027 season, but more likely the 2028 or 2029 season. Though, Fran wants to build through High School recruiting. I also think it's easy to underestimate what is being retained because the season really was over once we didn't have a serviceable QB that can compete in the ACC.

 

[swish7]

I hope there are a few players who can be true team leaders in that haul.

Counting from OX's roster post, we have 93 players right now (can have up to 105). 23 of them are in their 4th or 5th year. Leaving 70 who are in year 1 thru 3.

More concerning is that of 34 line of scrimmage players, only 9 are in Year 4 or 5.

That's a really young team. I'd say that sets up well for the future, but in today's insta-transfer world, it really means nothing.

Our run of a really good team every 6 years always has a lot of impact seniors.

Pretty sobering reality on the linemen.

I really hope there are some surprises there.

This consistently holds us back from achieving greater success.

 

[Cuse House]

Good points, I think coaching will make a huge difference. As long as Fran is here the next time I think we realistically see a December 2023 would be earliest after the 2027 season, but more likely the 2028 or 2029 season. Though, Fran wants to build through High School recruiting. I also think it's easy to underestimate what is being retained because the season really was over once we didn't have a serviceable QB that can compete in the ACC.

I don’t think the high school route works any longer. If you look at our turnover, we’ve lost most of Fran’s top guys. That’s not a knock on Fran, it’s just the nature of the beast these days. I’d prefer to pound the portal each year for P4 guys who have played on their past teams. Production from lower level guys can work too, just don’t think it will consistently get the results year over year.

If you look at Indiana, they did it with JMU guys in year 1 and then they brought in more P4 guys this year. A solid mixture with excellent coaching. There is nothing saying we won’t be much better next year, it’s just a gamble.

Concerned about WR and OLine.

 

[Sdot]

We only need 3 linebackers?

You must have missed AD barely being able to walk towards the end of the season.

We also have like 6 more to back them. How many you scholarships you want taken up by backers?

 

[anomander]

Fair enough.
We won't know until mid season.
One thing I do like is that he's trying something different. Instead of swapping spit, he's giving a chance to kids who proved themselves, albeit on a lower level.
We cannot outbid SEC teams. We got SEC 4 stars last time & they didn't produce. so why not try this?

We'll see.

I prefer this way too, but the teams with money are still poaching the best available G5/FCS players. There are dozens of them in the top 300 portal transfers and we didn’t get any. The ones we are getting have produced at their level. Some i really like, but just because this is the route Fran has chosen to go, doesn’t mean it will ultimately turn out.

 

[IraSez]

To re-iterate some of the comments on the Indiana thread - Cignetti stated that he values production over potential when it comes to the transfer portal. Indiana only has eight 4 & 5 stars total on their roster this year. Sounds like Fran & Co are trying to do the same this year.

Indiana probably has a lot more money to throw around than we do. I just took a look at their On3 transfer rankings (they are ranked 5th). Two 4 stars (TCU QB & Mich St WR) and a bunch of 3 stars. The difference is that the vast majority of their transfers come from other P4 schools. So you know they produced against good competition. Transfers from non-P4 schools are mainly a wait and see - can they compete at a higher level.

Also realize that the average age of the Indiana team is almost 23...that's old as far as "college" football goes. They get older/experienced players out of the portal.

 

[Archbold44]

I think letting Gill/Cook/Pena go is all about the strategy. In our offense, the QB is the key... not the WRs. The WRs will put up stats if we have the right QB to run the system. The WRs will not put up stats if we don't have a QB to run the system. So not much point in paying a high percentage of NIL on WRs.

On the other hand, we are a gateway for WRs. Come here, put up stats, make money somewhere else. It will always be a position of mercenaries.

That extra money saved frees up resources elsewhere.

 

[shu 49]

Also realize that the average age of the Indiana team is almost 23...that's old as far as "college" football goes. They get older/experienced players out of the portal.

I can’t say this enough, veteran teams win. U need leadership and production. Why I want Gill to stay.

 

[swish7]

I prefer this way too, but the teams with money are still poaching the best available G5/FCS players. There are dozens of them in the top 300 portal transfers and we didn’t get any. The ones we are getting have produced at their level. Some i really like, but just because this is the route Fran has chosen to go, doesn’t mean it will ultimately turn out.

Agree. We will see the results soon enough. Just trying to stay hopeful.

 

[upperdeck]

The Cornell LB is getting some looks.. FSU and others.. Wonder if SU took a look as well?

 

[LpoolNative]

I like the cut of your jib, swish

 

[orangencpolice]

My biggest concern is the lack of talent last year on the Offensive Line. Plus we lost a few stragglers to the portal. I’m not panicking but just concerned.