Portal SZN

[Dawg83]

Portal closes today for most players, there are some exceptions for Playoff teams. You’ll see several more guys added before most places start class in mid January.

 

I know State is heavily pursuing some Mississippi guys who have been out of state. Namely Dante Dowdell, Stone Blanton, and Hershey McLaurin. State seems to be in good shape with the last two, we’ll see on Dowdell, though he did visit before Christmas.

[hasbeen67]

I wondered about Blanton. I think he wants to play baseball too.

[MSTSatchmo]

I’m just curious, but is it “legal” for coaches to donate to a collective? 
 

I came across an X post trying to get Florida fans to donate to their collective and the responses were about split between “fans have to do it to compete or don’t complain” and “we buy tickets and merchandise, but now we’re supposed to help college players earn 6 figures also”.  One response that I thought was interesting was one guy said he would donate as soon as he sees how the collective gives the money out.  Do any of y’all know if the OM or State collectives give out that type of information.  I’d like to know what percentage actually goes to players. 

[Dawg83]

11 hours ago, MSTSatchmo said:

I’m just curious, but is it “legal” for coaches to donate to a collective? 
 

I came across an X post trying to get Florida fans to donate to their collective and the responses were about split between “fans have to do it to compete or don’t complain” and “we buy tickets and merchandise, but now we’re supposed to help college players earn 6 figures also”.  One response that I thought was interesting was one guy said he would donate as soon as he sees how the collective gives the money out.  Do any of y’all know if the OM or State collectives give out that type of information.  I’d like to know what percentage actually goes to players. 

Coaches aren’t allowed to contribute, and I don’t know of any collective that makes that kind of info public.

[Dawg83]

Stonka Burnside is announcing his college destination today. Most expect it to be State. With Daniel Hill, he signed paperwork a couple of weeks ago and it’s starting to leak out that he is apparently Bama bound.

[MSTSatchmo]

What is Hill expected to play in college?

[coastfootballfanman]

2 minutes ago, MSTSatchmo said:

What is Hill expected to play in college?

I have heard most people project him more as a linebacker at the next level because of his size and athleticism. 

[Dawg83]

1 hour ago, MSTSatchmo said:

What is Hill expected to play in college?

State and Bama both offered him as an RB.

 

Most felt like Bama was always Hill’s number one choice and anywhere else was a Plan B in case Bama didn’t have a spot for him at RB. Evidently they do in the end.

Edited January 3, 2024 by Dawg83

[Dawg83]

Burnside did sign with State. I think State fans still have AJ Brown PTSD with Starkville kids so good to see that wasn’t the same case here.

[Dawg83]

Also, gotta give Lebby a lot of credit for the strong recruiting finish in a short time. This was on pace to be one of State’s worst classes ever on paper as recently as mid November. But it’s turned into a respectable one. Not perfect, but some definite bright spots.

[Dawg83]

Oh wow, Judkins in the portal. Doesn’t necessarily mean he’s gone for good but that’s surprising. And if he does leave, certainly a blow to OM’s 2024 hopes.

[maroontide06]

33 minutes ago, Dawg83 said:

Oh wow, Judkins in the portal. Doesn’t necessarily mean he’s gone for good but that’s surprising. And if he does leave, certainly a blow to OM’s 2024 hopes.

In other words, it lowers the ceiling if he leaves.  Could be a ploy for more NIL money.

[Dawg83]

I’ve seen some people speculate that OM is orchestrating this to build hype but that feels like too dangerous of a game to play with the portal and NIL. Maybe he does return to Ole Miss, but it’s at best up in the air, it seems.

[NoWammies]

I’m returning my Quinshon Judkins socks. How dare him. I kid I kid. College has gotten like the NFL where do you overpay for a RB? This is what happened here it seems. Money spent getting the defense the guys that’s needed, Dart returning plus bringing in arguably the best WR room in college next year has caused him to prob not get his asking price. My guess is he goes to Bama which would be a slap in the face to Kiffin if so with Bama not giving him any attention during high school while Kiffin sat in the rain watching games. It is what it is though. 

[Dawg83]

30 minutes ago, NoWammies said:

I’m returning my Quinshon Judkins socks. How dare him. I kid I kid. College has gotten like the NFL where do you overpay for a RB? This is what happened here it seems. Money spent getting the defense the guys that’s needed, Dart returning plus bringing in arguably the best WR room in college next year has caused him to prob not get his asking price. My guess is he goes to Bama which would be a slap in the face to Kiffin if so with Bama not giving him any attention during high school while Kiffin sat in the rain watching games. It is what it is though. 

Yeah in this system there’s going to be give and take. RB is such a polarizing position because many will say a good RB is a dime a dozen and that may be true to an extent. But then there are true difference makers at RB, which Judkins is. Those kind of backs aren’t as easy to replace.

 

Until we see what OM does at RB and OL in the portal, and possibly even after that, I gotta say this knocks them down a peg because there are definite questions about the running game now.

Edited January 4, 2024 by Dawg83

[NoWammies]

There’s still a Bentley in the backfield ready to be unleashed who at times this year had fans asking why wasn’t he getting more touches. I assume they’ll go a little harder after Dowdell now for some depth. As far as OL it looks like OM is a serious contender to get LSU’s Lance Heard who is a former five star. 

[NoWammies]

Rumor has it, it wasn’t a money thing afterall it was a chemistry thing where teammates were fed up with him. Also was rumored that Dart asked Kiffin to bench him during the Peach Bowl. I do know for a fact he was close to entering last year because of locker room problems. He was basically Michael Trigg with a lot more talent. 

[pancho]

sounds about right

[hasbeen67]

On Judkins, as far as being set up to win, there aren't many better opportunities. I know he was hurt some this year, but I don't know that he did much someone else couldn't have. 

[NoWammies]

Whatever RB is back there next year is gonna get their yards regardless cuz defenses are gonna have to play two high safeties to keep Tre Harris and Deion Smith from beating them deep. That still leaves the defense to worry about Juice, Watkins and Prieskorn. The sky didn’t fall with Q leaving. Use that money on 3 OL guys. Problem solved. 

[MSTSatchmo]

Just throw a WR in the backfield.  OM has enough of them.*
 

I thought Bentley looked good when played.  It was going to be hard for Judkins to match the hype built after his freshman year, although he did have good season.  
 

As for OM trying to build up the drama so Judkins can return and OM can claim another victory for the Grove Collective, I could definitely see that too.  The playoffs have taken them out of the spotlight recently.   Lol. 

[NoWammies]

2 minutes ago, MSTSatchmo said:

Just throw a WR in the backfield.  OM has enough of them.*
 

I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see Juice lined up back there at times. 

[Dawg83]

12 minutes ago, NoWammies said:

Whatever RB is back there next year is gonna get their yards regardless cuz defenses are gonna have to play two high safeties to keep Tre Harris and Deion Smith from beating them deep. That still leaves the defense to worry about Juice, Watkins and Prieskorn. The sky didn’t fall with Q leaving. Use that money on 3 OL guys. Problem solved. 

I’m not saying Judkins is the difference in 10-2 and 6-6, but I do think being elite at RB versus merely good at RB affects whatever the ceiling for that team is.

 

With Judkins, I think Ole Miss is a heavy favorite to be in the Playoff. Without him, I don’t think the chances are zero, but they do take a dip, in my opinion.

Edited January 4, 2024 by Dawg83

[NoWammies]

10 minutes ago, Dawg83 said:

I’m not saying Judkins is the difference in 10-2 and 6-6, but I do think being elite at RB versus merely good at RB affects whatever the ceiling for that team is.

 

With Judkins, I think Ole Miss is a heavy favorite to be in the Playoff. Without him, I don’t think the chances are zero, but they do take a dip, in my opinion.

They went from a playoff contender to a playoff contender. Like I said there’s plenty of weapons on the outside to where any RB is gonna get yards. I think you’re underestimating what a good group of WR’s and what might be the best TE in college next year can do to help a RB success. If stays healthy Bentley is plenty capable of being a great RB1 to compliment the offense.

[Dawg83]

36 minutes ago, NoWammies said:

They went from a playoff contender to a playoff contender. Like I said there’s plenty of weapons on the outside to where any RB is gonna get yards. I think you’re underestimating what a good group of WR’s and what might be the best TE in college next year can do to help a RB success. If stays healthy Bentley is plenty capable of being a great RB1 to compliment the offense.

I just have a hard time shrugging off the loss one of most productive RB’s in modern SEC football.

 

Sure, playoff contender on some level either way. I just think it drops you from about a 75% likelihood to more 50/50.

 

I’ve seen Bentley play and he’s good… he’s just not Judkins good.

Edited January 4, 2024 by Dawg83