Bear Down Wildcats

NFA.

Not fucking around.

Add Ammon Allen and Isaiah Taylor to the list.

We offered Teddye Buchanan (LB) and Chubba Maae (DL) from UC Davis.

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 1:56 pm We offered Teddye Buchanan (LB) and Chubba Maae (DL) from UC Davis.

This is a big human being.

azgreg wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:02 pm

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 1:56 pm We offered Teddye Buchanan (LB) and Chubba Maae (DL) from UC Davis.

This is a big human being.

Big indeed. 6'2" 347 lb nose tackle.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/p ... hubba-maae

dmjcat wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:26 pm

Joey Slackman has been offered by nearly everybody.

Arizona needs a TE who can block. Burnett, although good, hasn’t shown to be that guy.

We also need a good LB to work beside Manu.

Look for a bruising RB to replace Williams.

NIL for a quality OL will cost at least 1 million. Glad we have enough quality OL players where finding one is a low priority.

Our DB are off the chart. One of the best in the country. Davis, Prysock, Johnson, and Maldonado right off the top of my head.

We also need a DE to replace Upshaw.

Shemwell and Bell are entering the portal.

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 4:37 pm Shemwell and Bell are entering the portal.

High school kids aren't in the portal.

azgreg wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:34 pm

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 4:37 pm Shemwell and Bell are entering the portal.

High school kids aren't in the portal.

Then they just decommited

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:54 pm

azgreg wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:34 pm

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 4:37 pm Shemwell and Bell are entering the portal.

High school kids aren't in the portal.

Then they just decommited

Correct.

Notre Dame DT

https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/a ... 75?view=cv

https://slapthesign.com/2023/11/29/notr ... na-portal/

dmjcat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 6:22 pm

“First off I wanna thank…”

Good luck kid. Re-take English 101 at your new school.

Jedd Fisch: Transfer Portal needs changes

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildca ... b35b7.html

ARIZONA FOOTBALL
Jedd Fisch: Transfer portal era in college football 'not where it needs to be by any means'
Justin Spears Dec 4, 2023 Updated 1 hr ago

The 30-day transfer portal window officially opened on Monday, and over 1,000 college football players entered their name, which is the most in a single day in the new era of college athletics.

Eight of those transfer portal players are from No. 12 Oklahoma, the 14th-ranked Arizona Wildcats’ upcoming opponent in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. Among them, two-year starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who is eighth all-time in career passing yards. Gabriel will be replaced by former five-star quarterback and freshman Jackson Arnold.

Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch addressed the transfer portal — and its flaws — during his news conference. Here’s what Fisch said:

With the transfer portal opening on Monday, how do you approach that?

A: “In regards to players that have gone into the portal from other programs, there’s certainly been some people I’ve had to evaluate and make decisions on. You have to make very fast decisions. In recruiting, you can make long decisions. You might know them when they’re a sophomore in high school, a freshman in high school, a junior in high school. Here now you have a decision you need to make if you want to use one of your spots on a guy that you evaluated for seven minutes. Things are very, very different in that regard. You then have to start doing research, but while you’re doing research, another team is trying to get him. So it’s a more challenging deal for a head coach. There’s a couple meetings here or there. I haven’t had any with our own roster.


“I didn’t have to do that, but a year ago we did. But there’s always going to be people trying to take your players, so you have to avoid that and make sure that these players understand their value to this program. ... If you just go down the list of guys that played that were a part of that class of 2022, there should be an ESPN ‘30 for 30’ (documentary) done about it. If we all stay together and the amount of games that I think they can win this year and next will be a story of college football.”

The UA coach says the transfer portal shouldn't be open until the season is over. "When the football season comes to an end, that is the day of the national championship game," he said Monday. "That is when the season comes to an end.

Lucas Peltier, Associated Press
What is your strategy when scouting players in the transfer portal?

A: “When you look at the portal, the first thing you have to do is — if someone is bringing them to me, it’s (because) they have a prior relationship. If we don’t know anything about them, I’m not interested. We just can’t do it. So now it’s a matter of, ‘Alright, well, let’s turn on his film, let’s look at his production, let’s find out the background of how many years he has left. Is he coming in as a (graduate) transfer or is he coming in as a one-time transfer, undergrad transfer? Are there any things that we need to know?’


“Then we turn the film on, watch the film and we see, ‘Where does this person fit in?’ And then I ask our position coaches and our recruiting department to inform me on, ‘Where do you see this player playing on our team? Are we bringing him in to add depth or are we bringing him in here to start?’ To pass the start test with me is a very hard test. It’s one thing to say, ‘Hey we’re bringing in Jayden de Laura to start.’ I get that. ... And then, ‘We’re bringing in Jacob Manu to compete.’ He became a starter. ... We don’t really have a lot of starting spots open, and that’ll be a very tough one to crack.”

Do you recruit your own players to stay with potential poachers lurking, like last year?

A: “Last year’s group is very different than this year’s group. We all learned from a year ago and what the results are and what that looks like. Usually, they don’t come to you, they come telling you, but I don’t envision that with the team that we have. I have challenged all of our players, ‘Ask all of the guys that have transferred in here, ‘What do they like about it here?’ versus ‘What do they like about the other places they’ve been?’ And where would they choose to go if they could do it all over again? And then research all the guys who aren’t here that have made decisions for the wrong reasons. Now there’s a lot of people that have transferred because of the fact that it’s the right thing to do for that person. ‘Hey, I don’t think I can be a starter here. I don’t think I can be in the two-deep (rotation) and I want to go play football.’


“If that’s the case, that’s why a lot of people transfer. There’s the few that everyone likes to talk about that made decisions for financial sake. In that case, is that really a wise decision? I can tell you that if we were only making decisions based on money, there would be a lot of different scenarios occurring out here. There’s a lot more that has to go in it besides money. I think that is really the key.”

How do you navigate preparing for a bowl game while simultaneously managing the transfer portal opening up and the early signing period for high school recruits approaching later this month? Would you change the recruiting calendar?

A: “It’s certainly unique. It’s a unique time in college football to balance it all out. We had our end-of-the-year banquet (on Sunday), then the transfer portal opening (Monday), and we have all of our coaches out of the road on home visits. ... Yet, you’re still trying to monitor what’s happening back here. I’ve got Oklahoma film on my computer, because I don’t just recruit and be Mr. Positive, I also have to call an offense and run the offense. To do that, that takes a lot of work.


“So there’s been a lot of different things that are happening. At the same time, there has to be a better way to regulate the roster from the NCAA perspective. What that means, I don’t know. I’ve always said a salary cap would be a great thing to have, so your roster isn’t dealt with in a piecemeal and you just have a better idea on how to do it. Maybe it’s a better way to have an early signing period. Maybe you can sign at any time and that commitment has to stay firm unless there’s a coaching change. Maybe there’s a way to figure out a way that you can open the transfer portal up after bowl games, not before.

“So let the CFP finish and then open up the portal. If you’re coaching a team like us, playing in the first bowl game since 2017, that’s a big deal. And the last thing you want to do is start losing players to the portal. You’re asking donors and alumni to come support the game and they’re like, ‘Well who am I supporting?’ It would be a nice thing if they said, ‘Hey, your team is your team. When the football season comes to an end, that is the day of the national championship game. That is when the season comes to an end. At that point you can enter the portal.’ ... I think a lot has to change. It’s not where it needs to be by any means.”

Transfer defensive lineman to visit AZ this weekend.

https://247sports.com/college/arizona/a ... 222333214/

Per the Portal Report - Both Colorado and Utah already have 10 players already transferring. I expected Colorado, but not Utah so much.

https://theportalreport.com/cfb-transfer-portal/

Even Deion’s girlfriend of over a decade is transferring out of Colorado.

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:28 am Even Deion’s girlfriend of over a decade is transferring out of Colorado.

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:28 am Even Deion’s girlfriend of over a decade is transferring out of Colorado.

And 3 coaches

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:28 am Even Deion’s girlfriend of over a decade is transferring out of Colorado.

Wait, what?

UAEebs86 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:54 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:28 am Even Deion’s girlfriend of over a decade is transferring out of Colorado.

Wait, what?

84Cat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:57 am

UAEebs86 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:54 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:28 am Even Deion’s girlfriend of over a decade is transferring out of Colorado.

Wait, what?

But Deion still has that damn big truck!!!

pc in NM wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 10:55 am But Deion still has that damn big truck!!!

Can’t write the country song just yet. We’ll have to wait until the dog runs away.

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 11:07 am

pc in NM wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 10:55 am But Deion still has that damn big truck!!!

Can’t write the country song just yet. We’ll have to wait until the BIG DAMN dog runs away.

Fixed it for you

The Cats offered Chubba Maae, a 350 pound Polynesian DL from UC-Davis.

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 1:56 pm We offered Teddye Buchanan (LB) and Chubba Maae (DL) from UC Davis.

Buchanan is now off the table

Hubba, hubba we just got a crystal ball for Chubba.
https://247sports.com/Player/chubba-maae-46081140/

Orin Patu is transfering out, his brother decommitted

KillerKlown wrote: ↑Tue Dec 05, 2023 7:29 pm Hubba, hubba we just got a crystal ball for Chubba.
https://247sports.com/Player/chubba-maae-46081140/

He has an official visit to Tucson this weekend. He is a 350 lb defensive LB. Arizona is good at landing Polynesian players.

I can't give it away because it is premium. But there are a lot of commit and portal players visiting this weekend. They will probably be at the Wisky game. The crowd will be loud. I believe it will be the biggest home game of the year. I will give you one player. Chubba Maae, the Poly, will be there. Imagine Chubba (pronounced Chooba), and Big Bill Norton on the DL. I really hope donors know what is happening with Arizona football.

It is a little early to say Fisch is the best coach we have ever had. But I believe it. For many reasons. How many coaches he has been an assistant for. He is really connected with the NFL. Because of that the coaching staff is extremely skilled and runs a pro offense and defense. I've read it is tailored after the LA Rams. This staff can really evaluate talent. Which comes to my next point.

Jedd Fisch is a manager. He knows what he hired. There is a reason Arizona has taken off in football. I don't know who we will get next season, but when you realize we will have Fifita, T-Mac, and Coleman on offense. And Davis, Prysock, Maldonado, and Stukes returning. Our secondary will be one of the best in the country. We also have Dalton Johnson and Genesis Smith.

How about our OL. Is anyone returning under 325 pounds? Wendell Moe is special. Not sure we need another OL. They are better when developed and are expensive with NIL.

Tyler Loop will be one of the best FG kickers in the country.

We could use a DE, a couple LB, a TE who can block, a power back.

This school year I have followed UA sports closely. I can't remember I've enjoyed watching Cats football and basketball. And I've followed Arizona since the early 90s,

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 08, 2023 12:49 am I can't give it away because it is premium. But there are a lot of commit and portal players visiting this weekend. They will probably be at the Wisky game. The crowd will be loud. I believe it will be the biggest home game of the year. I will give you one player. Chubba Maae, the Poly, will be there. Imagine Chubba (pronounced Chooba), and Big Bill Norton on the DL. I really hope donors know what is happening with Arizona football.

It is a little early to say Fisch is the best coach we have ever had. But I believe it. For many reasons. How many coaches he has been an assistant for. He is really connected with the NFL. Because of that the coaching staff is extremely skilled and runs a pro offense and defense. I've read it is tailored after the LA Rams. This staff can really evaluate talent. Which comes to my next point.

Jedd Fisch is a manager. He knows what he hired. There is a reason Arizona has taken off in football. I don't know who we will get next season, but when you realize we will have Fifita, T-Mac, and Coleman on offense. And Davis, Prysock, Maldonado, and Stukes returning. Our secondary will be one of the best in the country. We also have Dalton Johnson and Genesis Smith.

How about our OL. Is anyone returning under 325 pounds? Wendell Moe is special. Not sure we need another OL. They are better when developed and are expensive with NIL.

Tyler Loop will be one of the best FG kickers in the country.

We could use a DE, a couple LB, a TE who can block, a power back.

This school year I have followed UA sports closely. I can't remember I've enjoyed watching Cats football and basketball. And I've followed Arizona since the early 90s,

It's definitely a very impressive lineup of visitors.

I'm of the belief that you can never have enough quality OL. It's rare when an OL makes it through a season without an injury, and bad depth here, and an entire offense can stall. While it's not an area of need, if a top flight OL wants to transfer in, we better keep a light on.

Fisch has taken elements from many coaches, but his offense is based on Spurrier's Fun and Gun in my opinion. Lots of crossing patterns that against a zone D, is designed to find the holes. And against a man D, is designed to create a lot of traffic so defenders get lost. Requires WRs that understand the offense and run great routes. The Rams do run a similar offense, and Kupp, and now Pacua are both great route runners with very good hands.

Certainly can't blame them.

AzCatFan2 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:39 am I'm of the belief that you can never have enough quality OL. It's rare when an OL makes it through a season without an injury, and bad depth here, and an entire offense can stall. While it's not an area of need, if a top flight OL wants to transfer in, we better keep a light on.

Fisch has taken elements from many coaches, but his offense is based on Spurrier's Fun and Gun in my opinion. Lots of crossing patterns that against a zone D, is designed to find the holes. And against a man D, is designed to create a lot of traffic so defenders get lost. Requires WRs that understand the offense and run great routes. The Rams do run a similar offense, and Kupp, and now Pacua are both great route runners with very good hands.

The problem with finding quality OL in the portal is they cost $1-2 million each in NIL. Everyone wants them.

I think the Cats are going to land Jordan Shaw. He is a redshirt freshman and still has 4 years of eligibility.

Pretty nice offer list out of HS, USC, Oregon, UDub and so on. Prior "commit" was to Colorado.

Not sure why Oregon State is in the picture though with all the defections going on there.

Updated Arizona portal tracker. A lot of visitors this weekend. Would be nice to nab the Arnold brothers from OSU

https://247sports.com/college/arizona/a ... 221965116/

Offers:

UC-Davis linebacker Teddye Buchanan: Named to the second-team all-Big Sky team this past season as a junior, and was a third-team all-conference selection in 2022 as a sophomore. He has eight interceptions in his three seasons at Davis, and was a team captain each of the past two seasons. (Committed to Cal)

UC-Davis defensive lineman Chubba Maae: Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2021, Third team in 2022, and Second team in 2023. Considered to be one of the best linemen in the conference at 6-foot-2, 350 pounds. (Visiting 12/8)

Notre Dame defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina: Top 500 player coming out of high school in 2020. Has played sparingly at Notre Dame, but saw action in six games this season and came up with seven tackles and 1.5 for loss.


Penn defensive lineman Joey Slackman: Has offers from basically everyone. He led the defense and finished second among Ivy defenders with 12.0 tackles for loss and four sacks. He also had four hurries, a pass breakup and a blocked field goal.

Missouri defensive lineman DJ Wesolak: Missouri moved him to linebacker and he saw action in five games as a freshman before redshirting this past season. Wesolak is more comfortable on the defensive line and is offered as an end.

Oregon State safety Akili Arnold: Finished fourth on the team in tackles with 60, while also adding two tackles for loss, half a sack, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and one forced fumble. (Visiting 12/8)

Oregon State linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold: All-Pac-12 First Team season where he finished second in the conference in tackles with 107 on the season. He also had 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions. (Visiting 12/8)

Indiana cornerback Jordan Shaw: Played in four game this season, maintaining his redshirt. Finished with 12 tackles and one pass deflection. (Visiting 12/8)

Utah wide receiver Mikey Matthews: He finished the year with 29 catches for 261 yards and added another 309 yards on kick returns. (Visiting 12/8)

San Diego State offensive lineman Drew Azzopardi: The co-starting right tackle for the Aztecs, Azzopardi played 409 snaps and allowed just one sack and nine total pressures.

That is premium content and at the heart of why I subscribe to Wildcat Authority. Jason put a lot of effort into making that list. And it is at the heart of his income. That post is an attack on his livelihood. At least you aren't Ace.

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 10:23 am That is premium content and at the heart of why I subscribe to Wildcat Authority. Jason put a lot of effort into making that list. And it is at the heart of his income. That post is an attack on his livelihood. At least you aren't Ace.

It's posted on an open site.

Eebs is correct, I can read it fine and am not premium.

UAEebs86 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 10:32 am

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 10:23 am That is premium content and at the heart of why I subscribe to Wildcat Authority. Jason put a lot of effort into making that list. And it is at the heart of his income. That post is an attack on his livelihood. At least you aren't Ace.

It's posted on an open site.

Okay. Sorry dmjcat.