Link: 2026 Transfer Portal

[KrAzY3]

Recruiting has become pointless.

I think it still matters quite a bit, but the race to have the top class and that sort of thing is probably a huge waste of resources at this point. It used to be the greatest indicator of future success, if you had a top recruiting class you were not guaranteed to a win a championship, but pretty much all championship teams had high ranked recruiting classes.

It's certainly not that important now, but if you look at the teams in the playoff you still see for the most part those teams had good recruiting classes. A couple, notably Indiana did not though.

I think the key is more trying to be balanced. Instead of aiming for the top recruiting class and the most expensive recruits, trying to be top 10 in portal and top 10 in recruiting is probably the sweet spot. Developing those relationships and evaluating those players can pay off, so I don't think you want to abandon it.

For instance, Texas Tech, Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon were ranked 2-5 in the portal rankings. That's three of the four remaining teams! If you go by blue chip rankings though, it's #1 Alabama, then Ohio State, Georgia, Texas A&M and Oregon. Those were all playoff teams.

Oregon seems to be a school that's found a nice sweet spot there, by doing both well (doesn't hurt when you have Phil Knight funding that).

 

[RollTide-YNWA]

I don't think you have any concerns about staff changes.

You keep saying this. I sincerely hope you're correct.

 

[Bpilktree]

You do realize he’s taller and heavier than Will Anderson and will went to a 4-2-5 d in the nfl and hit the ground running right? He broke the Texans rookie sack record in a 4-2-5 in less than a years worth of time from being a 3-4 will

The Texans ran a 4-3 defense but as I said Keeley was originally brought here and recruited as an outside linebacker. Keeley then was transferred to defensive end and gained 35 pounds between his freshman year and what would have been his sophomore year. (Was redshirted).
“Keeley came in as freshman in 2023 as an outside linebacker in Nick Saban's defense. Following Saban's retirement, Keeley moved to defensive end in defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's scheme, gaining 35 pounds as part of the switch.”

 

[Bpilktree]

Actually, Keeley is a WAY better fit for our current system than our old one. For Saban, he was a tweener. Too small to be a DL, but was way to heavy to play olb. The new system and the bandit role is perfect for Keeley, Overton, Collins, etc.

He gained 35 pounds from his freshman year under Saban as a linebacker when he was redshirted before he was switched to defensive end under Womack.

 

[Bama Shoals]

For those wondering if Indiana could sustain what they’re doing and saying it’s just because of JMU players Cignetti brought over, check out what they’re doing in the portal. They’ve already secured commitments from one of the top QBs, WRs, RBs, and edge rushers. And they’re doing this while still playing in the playoffs. They’ll continue to be good.

 

[CrimsonTheory]

For those wondering if Indiana could sustain what they’re doing and saying it’s just because of JMU players Cignetti brought over, check out what they’re doing in the portal. They’ve already secured commitments from one of the top QBs, WRs, RBs, and edge rushers. And they’re doing this while still playing in the playoffs. They’ll continue to be good.

Maybe. They'll continue to cook as long as they play in that mediocre conference.

 

[Special K]

Maybe. They'll continue to cook as long as they play in that mediocre conference.

I agree the SEC is stronger top to bottom, but that “mediocre conference” makes up 50% of the final four.

 

[CrimsonTheory]

I agree the SEC is stronger top to bottom, but that “mediocre conference” makes up 50% of the final four.

You're right, of course but I don't consider Oregon B1G.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008147013532049465

 

[arthurdawg]

I think it still matters quite a bit, but the race to have the top class and that sort of thing is probably a huge waste of resources at this point. It used to be the greatest indicator of future success, if you had a top recruiting class you were not guaranteed to a win a championship, but pretty much all championship teams had high ranked recruiting classes.

It's certainly not that important now, but if you look at the teams in the playoff you still see for the most part those teams had good recruiting classes. A couple, notably Indiana did not though.

I think the key is more trying to be balanced. Instead of aiming for the top recruiting class and the most expensive recruits, trying to be top 10 in portal and top 10 in recruiting is probably the sweet spot. Developing those relationships and evaluating those players can pay off, so I don't think you want to abandon it.

For instance, Texas Tech, Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon were ranked 2-5 in the portal rankings. That's three of the four remaining teams! If you go by blue chip rankings though, it's #1 Alabama, then Ohio State, Georgia, Texas A&M and Oregon. Those were all playoff teams.

Oregon seems to be a school that's found a nice sweet spot there, by doing both well (doesn't hurt when you have Phil Knight funding that).

I think the writing is on the wall... Several teams have done very well signing 4th and 5th year dudes who are just bigger and more developed than freshmen. Although some will stick, we will see lots more of the Keeley deal, a guy who we developed over the last two years, started playing, and now teams are willing to crank the dollars up and we lose him.

 

[arthurdawg]

For those wondering if Indiana could sustain what they’re doing and saying it’s just because of JMU players Cignetti brought over, check out what they’re doing in the portal. They’ve already secured commitments from one of the top QBs, WRs, RBs, and edge rushers. And they’re doing this while still playing in the playoffs. They’ll continue to be good.

Yeah... I am hoping we have a ton of people ready to sign who we are keeping quiet on. The exodus at OL and WR have to be fixed and I've heard we will lose several on defense through today.

So far, we have lost two guys in Keeley and Formsby, if we can replace the others with better / older guys then I think we are doing well overall. Not sure why Keeley is leaving on the verge of starting for us next year... And if Formsby has delusions he is an SEC level tackle and not a middle of the road guard, good luck with that.

Still though, we need to hammer our portal additions home. I think solely depending on our younger dudes is not smart given that we will be out matched by more well developed senior laden teams potentially.

 

[CB4]

I think the writing is on the wall... Several teams have done very well signing 4th and 5th year dudes who are just bigger and more developed than freshmen. Although some will stick, we will see lots more of the Keeley deal, a guy who we developed over the last two years, started playing, and now teams are willing to crank the dollars up and we lose him.

Notre Dame made their run to the CFP last year with a team loaded with 4th, 5th and yes even some on their sixth year due to the COVID year. Indiana appears this year to be doing similar
Let someone else invest the time and effort to develop them for 2-3 years. Then swoop and take them. That seems to be the model for success.

 

[gtgilbert]

The Texans ran a 4-3 defense but as I said Keeley was originally brought here and recruited as an outside linebacker. Keeley then was transferred to defensive end and gained 35 pounds between his freshman year and what would have been his sophomore year. (Was redshirted).
“Keeley came in as freshman in 2023 as an outside linebacker in Nick Saban's defense. Following Saban's retirement, Keeley moved to defensive end in defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's scheme, gaining 35 pounds as part of the switch.”

Keeley played DE in HS with zero experience as an OLB which is why he had such a learning curve year one. He was a pure, hand in the dirt, get upfield and make plays DE. Then under Saban he had started to gain weight (good weight and mass mind you) that there were questions about what position was a best fit for him as he'd kinda outgrown OLB, but for Saban was not yet big enough to be a DL.

Saban's thoughts on him in early 2023:

"Their learning curve is a little bit behind a lot of the other guys. But they have a lot of potential. They have a lot of ability. I just think that outside linebacker is a position that not very many guys played when they were in high school. They played defensive end, they rushed up the field all the time. To teach guys how to play that is a little bit of a work in progress. How do you drop? When do you drop? How do you stand up and play and use your hands? When can you rush up the field and when can you not? So all those things are, sort of, things that those guys need to learn. But man, we’re happy to have them both here. They got tremendous talent and ability. They got the right attitude, and they’re working hard.”

 

[JustNeedMe81]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008164518971441447

 

[Cruiser]

For those wondering if Indiana could sustain what they’re doing and saying it’s just because of JMU players Cignetti brought over, check out what they’re doing in the portal. They’ve already secured commitments from one of the top QBs, WRs, RBs, and edge rushers. And they’re doing this while still playing in the playoffs. They’ll continue to be good.

Shiny new penny syndrome??

 

[Bamabuzzard]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008164518971441447

The absolute worst thing DeBoer can do is not make a change at OL coach. His offseason is already going to be filled with outside questions and pressure, if he keeps the OL coach he wont be able to go to the bathroom in peace.

 

[Rocky Mtn Bob]

Let someone else invest the time and effort to develop them for 2-3 years. Then swoop and take them. That seems to be the model for success.

I'm still not sure we can call anything in this NIL/portal era a "model," but this does appear to be the present trend.

(No wonder Coach Saban retired.)

 

[Cruloc]

Transfer portal rankings:
2025
1. LSU
2. Texas Tech
3. Miami
4. Ole Miss
5. Oregon
6. FSU
7. Missouri
11. ATM
12. Oklahoma
21. Alabama
22. Georgia
23. Texas
24. Ohio State
25. Indiana

2024:
1. Ole Miss
2. Oregon
3. Alabama
4. ATM
5. Texas
6. Florida
7. FSU
8. Miami
10. Ohio State
13. Georgia
30. Indiana

Right now early in 2026
1. Penn State
2. Oklahoma State (complete rebuild)
3. Indiana
4. Texas Tech
5. Wisconsin
6. Ole Miss

- Florida State is up there, but keeps swinging and missing.
- Indiana is evaluating better and coaching up better
- Your playoff teams need to be somewhere in the top 15 in recruiting and the top 15 in transfers.....and then pray they evaluated well and hope they can coach them up.

 

[Cruloc]

I'm still not sure we can call anything in this NIL/portal era a "model," but this does appear to be the present trend.

(No wonder Coach Saban retired.)

That's why the new position everywhere in college football is the General Manager. You've got to have someone that can stay focused on coordinating evals, recruiting current players to keep them, recruiting transfer players to bring them in, make the deals, etc.

 

[mlh]

For those wondering if Indiana could sustain what they’re doing and saying it’s just because of JMU players Cignetti brought over, check out what they’re doing in the portal. They’ve already secured commitments from one of the top QBs, WRs, RBs, and edge rushers. And they’re doing this while still playing in the playoffs. They’ll continue to be good.

Cignetti was Recruiting Coordinator for Bama under Saban, 2007-2010. Remember the talent he helped bring to T-town?

I think he knows how to evaluate talent and get the guys he needs to fill the gaps on his roster.