2024 Transfer Portal

[Merkin]

Hopefully a Scooby Wright or two in the bunch, but so far looks like the recent incoming crop are OKGs.

[azcat49]

It’s impossible to tell what we have. ASSU had no idea they had a top 4 team with their transfer class. Of course they were coached up tremendously well and I am yet to be convinced we have that kind of depth on our coaching staff

[RichardCranium]

10 new offensive lineman according to Spears

Correct. Between teh portal and high school recruiting we've added 10 offensive linemen and according to Scheer they're looking to add more.

Good. Very few of the freshmen (if any) will be able to give us meaningful minutes and we have got to figure out a way for Noah to get time and lanes to throw through without him needing to scramble twenty yards in reverse.

Yeah, thanks all. I'm glad you picked up on my brain fart - I did mean offensive not defensive.

[PHXCATS]

And FYI for the agendas and narratives. This is the first real off season. No one should judge recruiting or staff of transfer portal last year due to timing

This year Arizona is killing it

I guess it's the pessimist in me, but I was thinking that so far, we've got a pretty unimpressive group of transfers and recruits. Not one real highlight-unless I missed it.

Maybe the Fisch staff level of recruiting-even after one of the worst years in Arizona football history-spolied me.

Falling for narratives and agendas

Listening to turds instead if seeing the clear picture in front of you

[84Cat]

[PHXCATS]

Players 1-22 we are likely taking a small step back

Players 23-95 we are taking several steps forward

Depth is incredibly important

[azcat49]

I think the biggest thing might be that these guys can be more comfortable in these coaches culture. I felt that the guys who stayed had a hard time embracing that culture.

You look at the roster and almost every Fisch guy is gone. This might be for the best.

They worked hard and said the right things but the inevitable comparisons between the previous staffs culture and the new one proved to be to much

[tgrumpy2]

Players 1-22 we are likely taking a small step back

Players 23-95 we are taking several steps forward

Depth is incredibly important

I think considering how bad the team looked last season, we've done a phenomenal job in recruiting. CBB has done a lot of the right things and identified issues. I'm sure not expecting a championship team next year. I'll be happy if we hit about mid level.

[TheCatInTheHat]

I agree that I didn't anticipate the transfer portal recruiting. As far as OKGs go, I look at whether we've got undersized players, and that doesn't seem to be the case. We didn't have any huge upgrade in talent, but we fairly successfully replaced what we lost when things were looking like the Titanic. A number of the incoming guys have decent resumes at P4 schools, and some of the ones from smaller schools did very well there. Skattebos are few and far between, but we've played plenty of smaller schools where one or two players stood out, and there would be comments that we could use somebody like that. Talent wasn't so much the problem last season, although we had lost some mass in the defensive middle that was somewhat unusual for us in 2023. Now we again seem fairly set there. The issue will be how well Doege does in a short time.

[PHXCATS]

Players 1-22 we are likely taking a small step back

Players 23-95 we are taking several steps forward

Depth is incredibly important

I think considering how bad the team looked last season, we've done a phenomenal job in recruiting. CBB has done a lot of the right things and identified issues. I'm sure not expecting a championship team next year. I'll be happy if we hit about mid level.

Absolutely agree. I can see 7-5

[azgreg]

[azcat49]

@ Cincy and @ Houston could be two very winnable road games. KState and BYU look like our two toughest home games so if we can get consistent offensive output, I do think a bowl game is in sight

[PHXCATS]

I love love love love these solid FCS guys looking yo step up

Bad day for agendas

[azgreg]

I love love love love these solid FCS guys looking yo step up

Bad day for agendas

Stop tarding up the internet please.

[TheCatInTheHat]

Looking over a projected depth chart, I think it's fair and reasonable to suggest that many or most portal transfers will make the two-deep. Otherwise, kind of hard to justify whatever NIL cash they got, which presumably goes hand-in-hand with offered and expected playing time.

On offense, Spivey figures to start, as the only likely rotation WR with some height (6-4.) I'd guess Hunter hangs onto his slot, and the rest of the smurfs (both old and new) will battle it out for snaps. It would also be nice if the 6-6 TE Barmore can be a reliable red zone target. People will continue to disparage Locke's QB stats last year, but it's a relief to have an experienced backup after the past season. The 5 transfer O-line guys average out to a composite 6-6 305, all upper-classmen. One or more will likely have a chance to start, but it's more about depth and rotating in fresh troops.

On defense, barring position changes from our returning safeties, it'll be all portal CBs. I'd guess Frausto-Ramos and Dansby start, but it could be a revolving door all year, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, as Cole and Garnes also look like solid contributors. The 4 top interior line transfers average 6-4 315. Added to Maae and Johnson, that looks like a decent rotation. You never know about edge rusher types. We always seem to be looking for that elusive Bruschi "motor." Wait and see on that. Ditto for the LBs, who sound decent, but all making the jump from smaller schools.

I'm pleasantly surprised at what I view as a portal success, and cautiously optimistic. Last season was horrific and unacceptable, with outrageous one-sided losses and wholesale ineptitude. Never should have happened that way. But if our (very) modest goal for this coming season is to win 6 games and go to any bowl game, one TD against Texas Tech, and one TD against WVU would have done that even last season. To be sure, part of it is to be competitive and competent and avoid the ridiculous blowouts. In any event, it'll be interesting to see all the new players and to see how well Noah does in the spread.

[Carcassdragger]

I think our roster so far looks worse than last year and our coaching staff looks better. Probably 4-8 with another blowout loss to ASU.

Sucks but it is what it is.

[CopaCat]

I think our roster so far looks worse than last year and our coaching staff looks better. Probably 4-8 with another blowout loss to ASU.

Sucks but it is what it is.

I think we can be better but still need some "impact" transfers on DLine. I am not sold on our DT depth. Maae, Johnson were here last year and I wasn't impressed with either. We picked up Savea, McKnight, and a massive JC kid with little experience or production. That to me is an extremely thin interior unless a couple of these guys drastically increase their production. Really only McKnight and Johnson give me any hope.

I am also not sold on OL or CBs until I see em in action. The CBs were moderately successful at small schools and not as successful after transferring up(Garnes and Cole), so we will have to see. Brown on the offensive line reminds me of the Wooten pickup last year(not good). Also not sure on Bounds either as he got little to no time at Michigan. Will really be a wait and see and I suspect Doege will be the catalyst as to whether we make a bowl or go 4-8 again.

[tgrumpy2]

I think our roster so far looks worse than last year and our coaching staff looks better. Probably 4-8 with another blowout loss to ASU.

Sucks but it is what it is.

I think we can be better but still need some "impact" transfers on DLine. I am not sold on our DT depth. Maae, Johnson were here last year and I wasn't impressed with either. We picked up Savea, McKnight, and a massive JC kid with little experience or production. That to me is an extremely thin interior unless a couple of these guys drastically increase their production. Really only McKnight and Johnson give me any hope.

I am also not sold on OL or CBs until I see em in action. The CBs were moderately successful at small schools and not as successful after transferring up(Garnes and Cole), so we will have to see. Brown on the offensive line reminds me of the Wooten pickup last year(not good). Also not sure on Bounds either as he got little to no time at Michigan. Will really be a wait and see and I suspect Doege will be the catalyst as to whether we make a bowl or go 4-8 agai

I think there are enough solid pieces to build a decent team around. College coaches have come up with systems that get a lot out of a less talented offensive line. RichRod made a living off that stuff. None of us have much of an idea what this system is going to look like so I'm waiting until I see it. We do need receivers and running backs that can be in the right place and follow blocks but we had a lot of receivers open last year that Fafita didn't see becuase Bimbo Babers' system didn't take Fafita's height into consideration. Nansen was effective because he used a LOT of D lineman and always had fresh one in. We didn't have the depth at all to that last year. He also used his linebackers very effectively. Anyway. I'm gonna wait and see. Can't do anything else anyway.

[Irish27]

[Merkin]

Due to the NCAA not counting JC years anymore, appears MGK had competition now at Nebraska.

https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/foo ... rs-big-ten

New since Groves-Killebrews commitment is the return of DeShon Singleton. In the wake of the Diego Pavia ruling, Singleton and others with junior college experience have been granted an additional year, which he will use to return to NU.

[azcat49]

So is MGK going to play st Nebraska or Arizona? It says he is committed to Nebraska but is now not in the portal

[84Cat]

From Merkin's link

Arizona defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew has withdrawn his name from the portal. He is now expected to return to the Wildcats for the 2025 season

[Postmaster]

Sounds like the guy he was going to replacement In NE is now coming back .

[84Cat]

[azcat49]

They should just take the NCAA to court where the NCAA would lose once again

[Postmaster]

Arizona should just let anyone like that play. Then if we have to forfeit the games, who cares? Next season is going to be closer to 2024 than 2023.

But, Kinerk should File a suit Monday.

Maybe he could get a huge judgement and give it to NIL.

[Merkin]

Cripes, giving everyone free passes right and left, and pull this one?

Isn't there some punter in NCAA football in his 30s?