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re: OLD Portal & Roster Tracker - No Updates Being Made to First 2 Posts
Posted on 1/13/26 at 9:50 am to Diego Ricardo
Posted on 1/13/26 at 9:50 am to Diego Ricardo
quote:
I don't think we're the paupers people think we are but there is a clear divide between the top teams that can offer competitive offers and top teams that can beat any offer if they want to close the deal.
It's definitely tiered.
Tier 1:
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Oregon
Ohio State
Miami
If one of those schools is outbid on a player that they really want, it was by another school in that tier
Tier 2:
Michigan
Indiana
Can pay up for anybody, but more judicious in how they spend
Tier 3 is probably about where we fall, but it's the lower end of tier 3. High end tier 3 looks like what LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss do in the portal. Low end looks like what Alabama, South Carolina, and Kentucky do in the portal. I think when you're where we are you have to be meticulous and exercise some foresight. It's not a crime to roll over earmarked funds to the next window, but you just can not leave gaping holes in your roster without falling behind.
People keep comparing the current model to the NFL, but that's just not accurate .The NFL operates under a salary cap. This is much more similar to MLB, where you have the rich teams and everyone else.
NIL doesn't kill our program, but it does reduce it to hoping for lightning in a bottle. The teams in tier 1 will be the group that's in the hunt every year. When you can't fill a two deep with elite players because you can't afford to, you need 2 things: Elite coaching and elite quarterback play
You have to hope that you get the home team discount on the high schoolers you develop when they're juniors. But realistically, you have to expect that the "good" players and depth pieces will continue to leave en masse when they're juniors to a school in tier 1. The russaw's, smith's, formby's, and Keeley's of the program- guys that aren't stars but that we really need, they will continue to transfer up to tier 1
This post was edited on 1/13/26 at 9:55 am
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Posted on 1/13/26 at 9:52 am to UASports23
Any word on Carde Smith from Colorado? He is from Mobile and was a freshman this year. I thought I heard Alabama may be in the mix
This post was edited on 1/13/26 at 9:53 am
Posted on 1/13/26 at 9:55 am to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
NIL doesn't kill our program, but it does reduce it to hoping for lightning in a bottle. The teams in tier 1 will be the group that's in the hunt every year. When you can't fill a two deep with elite players because you can't afford to, you need 2 things: Elite coaching and elite quarterback play
This …
Posted on 1/13/26 at 9:59 am to TideWarrior
quote:
Maybe we will get a Duron Carter spotting on campus soon.
Titus Ryan too.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 9:59 am to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
When you can't fill a two deep with elite players because you can't afford to, you need 2 things: Elite coaching and elite quarterback play
Exactly.
We really need Keelon to be what he is hyped to be. We don't need a long battle, we need a confident beatdown where the coaching staff HAS to go with Keelon because he is overwhelming.
Then parlay that into some kind of championship success the next two years and use that momentum to fight against the theme we aren't shite without Saban which is currently being hard sold.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:04 am to Riseupfromtherubble
i dont mind those tier 1, tier 2 schools. If you have it to spend then by all means spend it. Its the American way.
What gets me is how in the hell is LSU doing all this. Last year they had the #1 portal class, they even said they spent 25 mil.
The buyout, plus new contracts for all of their coaches and they are spending again like crazy this year, another 25 mil.
I cant believe they have that many more wealthy donors than a program like ours.
I may be mistaken , but just dont understand it.
What gets me is how in the hell is LSU doing all this. Last year they had the #1 portal class, they even said they spent 25 mil.
The buyout, plus new contracts for all of their coaches and they are spending again like crazy this year, another 25 mil.
I cant believe they have that many more wealthy donors than a program like ours.
I may be mistaken , but just dont understand it.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:12 am to Bamadoc
quote:
I cant believe they have that many more wealthy donors than a program like ours.
They do.
and its Louisiana, they probably funnel taxpayer money into their NIL fund as well.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:13 am to TideWarrior
Another name to maybe watch for in the portal is Enow Etta a DL from Michigan. We were top 4 for him out of HS and Deboer recruited him as well at Washington.
I also read D Wilson is supposed to visit LSU this weekend. Another site (not sure if connected or just guessing) has predicted Wilson to LSU and the Dessir twins. Though my guess is Dessir twins will end up in Miami.
I also read D Wilson is supposed to visit LSU this weekend. Another site (not sure if connected or just guessing) has predicted Wilson to LSU and the Dessir twins. Though my guess is Dessir twins will end up in Miami.
This post was edited on 1/13/26 at 10:15 am
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:17 am to Bamadoc
quote:
cant believe they have that many more wealthy donors than a program like ours. I may be mistaken , but just dont understand it.
They have at least 2 billionaires. Canes co-founder and some hedge fund guy.
Remember they are the only major program in the state. And as poor as Louisiana is, they have some rich industries and individuals
I don’t know how much he’s got but Bryant Jr definitely has a lot. But even if he’s worth a half a billion, he’d still be small potatoes compared to some guy worth $20B. Of course net worth doesn’t necessarily mean liquid assets rich but a guy with $20B likely has way more to burn compared to guy well under $1B
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:20 am to TideWarrior
C-Tuddies?
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:21 am to Lucky_Stryke
quote:
I know that the courts have ruled in favor of the athletes so i guess its just a market for them. No rules other than who has the most money to buy players. INSANE.
I wish some of y'all would bring this energy for every aspect of our society.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:23 am to Bamadoc
They have a single donor. And they are throwing everything at the wall right now. The fans believe that funding is unlimited but that's simply untrue. If Kiffin doesn't produce that program will die quickly. The arguement can be made that even if he does produce it still ends quickly.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:25 am to mistaken4193
quote:
The rest of us will have to keep recruiting the elite HS kids( we can still afford them) and RETAINING THEM. Roster retention is gonna be the biggest key for us going forward if we wanna stay near the top. We can afford the elite HS kids, we can't the elite portal ones
I think this is position dependent. For skill positions yes. Young receivers or RBs can step in quickly. For linemen probably better to hit the portal due to how long it takes to develop them. But (easier said then done) but they have to find diamond in the rough kind of guys. Like Indiana’s top defensive player was previously a starter at Kent State who had ok numbers.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:34 am to Riseupfromtherubble
According to some sources, we have essentially the same payroll as Indiana in 2025. I don’t think they’re in a different tier than us. They aren’t going for the players Texas is brinks trucking either.
Hell, LSU isn’t really landing certain top players out of the portal either. Levitt being good for them comes down to my faith in Kiffin being able to shite out offensive production with any decent college QB. They struck out for the QB they really wanted and likely a few others we don’t know about.
Hell, LSU isn’t really landing certain top players out of the portal either. Levitt being good for them comes down to my faith in Kiffin being able to shite out offensive production with any decent college QB. They struck out for the QB they really wanted and likely a few others we don’t know about.
This post was edited on 1/13/26 at 10:35 am
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:42 am to Bamadiver
quote:
They have a single donor. And they are throwing everything at the wall right now. The fans believe that funding is unlimited but that's simply untrue. If Kiffin doesn't produce that program will die quickly.
I think there are a few programs with one donor, who will eventually get bored or will lose interest if they can’t buy a championship quickly. Even the TX schools, how long will their donors keep throwing money around if they can’t buy a championship in the next year or so? It makes even less sense than the Dodgers or Yankees because at least those owners get a financial return. I have a feeling this whole thing may self-correct when donors lose interest.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:47 am to EastTXTide
I agree except maybe the oil guys. Those guys wipe with hundred dollar bills. In any case, most of the tier 1 programs have zero to show for what they've spent. There are thousands of players and fixed roster sizes so the talent is there. You just have to be wise with spending and consistent with coaching. Even so, quality of play is falling off rapidly. The product is becoming unwatchable.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:51 am to Robot Santa
quote:
I wish some of y'all would bring this energy for every aspect of our society.
Brother, let me tell you. I love subs from Publix but the one downtown where I live is ran by awful employees. Such a shame.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:51 am to Bamadiver
A convincing argument for dying my hair purple and ending hydrocarbons. 
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:57 am to Diego Ricardo
I agree with this.
I know it is debatable whether or not to spend the bulk of the funds on high school recruiting or the Portal. I think the positions you mentioned as priority (which they are) are more advantageous to get out of high school
as opposed to the Portal:
- QB
- OT
- Edge Rusher
- DT
- CB
Those are the 5 highest paid positions in the NFL as you pointed out. So far, CKD has been able to sign AND retain a 5-star QB, 2 OT’s, 1 Edge (J. Hill), and multiple 5-star CBs. This seems to suggest these guys are cheaper when they are younger. Obviously, evaluating them correctly AND retaining them are the keys, but so far the staff has done well in both of these areas.
For example, Michael Carroll is (most likely) getting paid much less than the absurd amount of money Jordan Seaton is about to command.
I think the staff has done a good job evaluating a bringing in good high school OL:
- Carroll
- Waldrep
- Jackson Loyd
- Haywood (originally)
Also:
- Russell at QB
- Justin Hill at Edge
- D. Lee and Jordan Edmonds at CB
I think an “Alpha Dog” type LB is also a priority position, and Xavier Griffin certainly fits that bill.
I cannot think of anyone in CKD’s first two classes who play any of these priority positions (QB, OT, Edge, DT, CB) have transferred….am I forgetting anyone?
I also really like Jamarion Matthews and Nolan Wilson on the DL in this previous class as well. The early returns on Deboer’s 1st class are good and several have already become major contributors.
Hopefully they can continue to evaluate and develop guys (London Simmons) AND retain them.
If so, then Bama would primarily only need to use the Portal for the lower priority positions (S, LB, TE, RB, WR)
I know it is debatable whether or not to spend the bulk of the funds on high school recruiting or the Portal. I think the positions you mentioned as priority (which they are) are more advantageous to get out of high school
as opposed to the Portal:
- QB
- OT
- Edge Rusher
- DT
- CB
Those are the 5 highest paid positions in the NFL as you pointed out. So far, CKD has been able to sign AND retain a 5-star QB, 2 OT’s, 1 Edge (J. Hill), and multiple 5-star CBs. This seems to suggest these guys are cheaper when they are younger. Obviously, evaluating them correctly AND retaining them are the keys, but so far the staff has done well in both of these areas.
For example, Michael Carroll is (most likely) getting paid much less than the absurd amount of money Jordan Seaton is about to command.
I think the staff has done a good job evaluating a bringing in good high school OL:
- Carroll
- Waldrep
- Jackson Loyd
- Haywood (originally)
Also:
- Russell at QB
- Justin Hill at Edge
- D. Lee and Jordan Edmonds at CB
I think an “Alpha Dog” type LB is also a priority position, and Xavier Griffin certainly fits that bill.
I cannot think of anyone in CKD’s first two classes who play any of these priority positions (QB, OT, Edge, DT, CB) have transferred….am I forgetting anyone?
I also really like Jamarion Matthews and Nolan Wilson on the DL in this previous class as well. The early returns on Deboer’s 1st class are good and several have already become major contributors.
Hopefully they can continue to evaluate and develop guys (London Simmons) AND retain them.
If so, then Bama would primarily only need to use the Portal for the lower priority positions (S, LB, TE, RB, WR)
Posted on 1/13/26 at 11:15 am to YStar
Do not need a 2-deep….8 OL is plenty, 5 WRs are plenty, 3-4 RBs. No reason to try and buy an 85 man roster to try and stockpile an elite 2-deep to plan for the future like the old days. All you are doing is diluting the money/talent. Concentrate the money on the top 30-35 players each year.
Yes, that would mean multiple injuries to the same position group would be crippling (so is losing your starting QB), but I would rather take the risk of being “thin” (compared to years past) than to carry 5 RB’s on the roster when you can get away with carrying just 3.
That is the most viable way of matching the NIL giants like Texas. If our top 35 guys are as good as theirs, then im not concerned about the other 50 guys who would not play meaningful downs anyways. …I’d rather have a 55 man roster where the bulk of the money is concentrated on the top 30 players.
I believe “smaller market” teams who adopt this philosophy will be able to compete consistently at a high level. Plus, with the new clock rules, depth isn’t as important as it use to be.
The only reason for an 85 man scholarship roster in the past was bc 40 of those spots were for the underclassman that would soon make up the core of the team 2 years later, which is now irrelevant in the NIL era
Yes, that would mean multiple injuries to the same position group would be crippling (so is losing your starting QB), but I would rather take the risk of being “thin” (compared to years past) than to carry 5 RB’s on the roster when you can get away with carrying just 3.
That is the most viable way of matching the NIL giants like Texas. If our top 35 guys are as good as theirs, then im not concerned about the other 50 guys who would not play meaningful downs anyways. …I’d rather have a 55 man roster where the bulk of the money is concentrated on the top 30 players.
I believe “smaller market” teams who adopt this philosophy will be able to compete consistently at a high level. Plus, with the new clock rules, depth isn’t as important as it use to be.
The only reason for an 85 man scholarship roster in the past was bc 40 of those spots were for the underclassman that would soon make up the core of the team 2 years later, which is now irrelevant in the NIL era
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