Ebbs and Flows of recruiting

[Donny Donowitz]

This is not a sunshine pumping post for the current staff by any means.

But, as someone who can take emotion out of processing things…I totally get why we lost out on some of these HS recruits.

The fact is we have a ton of youth already. We need “elite” transfers like we seen in Cam and Dmart.

So do you pay top dollar for the proven player or a recruit like Pickett/Alford?

I think it’s a balancing act, but I also think this is going to be a phenomenal transfer class.

I think next year we will spend big in HS recruits. But this year will be a big portal year for us. We will be getting a top player at multiple positions.

I know of 1 player specifically we are going after and it’s looking good. Y’all will be pleased and it will be happening soon.

 

[Fawk_U Haters]

This is not a sunshine pumping post for the current staff by any means.

But, as someone who can take emotion out of processing things…I totally get why we lost out on some of these HS recruits.

The fact is we have a ton of youth already. We need “elite” transfers like we seen in Cam and Dmart.

So do you pay top dollar for the proven player or a recruit like Pickett/Alford?

I think it’s a balancing act, but I also think this is going to be a phenomenal transfer class.

I think next year we will spend big in HS recruits. But this year will be a big portal year for us. We will be getting a top player at multiple positions.

I know of 1 player specifically we are going after and it’s looking good. Y’all will be pleased and it will be happening soon.

You're not wrong, but we should expect better from an "elite" recruiter who is only good as a HC at talent acquistion.

We need to really crush the portal and the 2025 class wasn't a great one and especially in FL.

Here's to portal season

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

While I agree with the sentiment that if you had to choose, you’d rather pay proven commodities over “gambles” per se…some things come to mind.

1. Did we not just clown the FSU approach and warn them that by living and dying in the portal, you leave yourself susceptible to disastrous seasons?

2. It’s not like these big schools blew all their cash on the 2025 HS class. They’re going to spend just as much, and likely more, for guys that can help them win now. The portal is going to be the Wild West, as it always is. For a QB alone - OU, Oregon, LSU, Miami, FSU, Auburn, Bama, TAMU, North Carolina, UGA will all be sniffing around at the options. Ole Miss and Penn State, maybe...but they have some talented youngsters. Ohio State if they want someone to challenge Sayin? Possibly. Anyways, you get the point.

We out-bagged everyone last time, now you have to do it again…with more competitors.

3. How many stars do you expect to grab from the portal?

 

[Donny Donowitz]

You're not wrong, but we should expect better from an "elite" recruiter who is only good as a HC at talent acquistion.

We need to really crush the portal and the 2025 class wasn't a great one and especially in FL.

Here's to portal season

In the past I would have agreed 100 percent.

But this really isn’t the same game anymore. There’s a reason Cribby doesn’t comment about recruiting as much. It’s because it’s money driven nowadays. I truthfully think Zo came in to teach about cap/spending and how to build a roster accordingly.

Now if Mario loses the one I know of and doesn’t reel in some real talent elsewhere from the portal then you are 100 percent correct on us deserving better.

 

[nycane]

We wanted a handful of kids and didn’t get them. Bottom line. Not other way around it.

 

[hoops156]

In the past I would have agreed 100 percent.

But this really isn’t the same game anymore. There’s a reason Cribby doesn’t comment about recruiting as much. It’s because it’s money driven nowadays. I truthfully think Zo came in to teach about cap/spending and how to build a roster accordingly.

Now if Mario loses the one I know of and doesn’t reel in some real talent elsewhere from the portal then you are 100 percent correct on us deserving better.

we only hit on 3 portal kids this past cycle.

 

[Donny Donowitz]

While I agree with the sentiment that if you had to choose, you’d rather pay proven commodities over “gambles” per se…some things come to mind.

1. Did we not just clown the FSU approach and warn them that by living and dying in the portal, you leave yourself susceptible to disastrous seasons?

2. It’s not like these big schools blew all their cash on the 2025 HS class. The portal is going to be the Wild West, as it always is. For a QB alone - OU, Oregon, LSU, Miami, FSU, Auburn, Bama, TAMU, North Carolina, UGA will all be sniffing around at the options. We out-bagged everyone last time, now you have to do it again…with more competitors.

3. How many stars do you expect to grab from the portal?

1. FSU didn’t recruit like we did to set themselves up. We have way more young talent to work with. They also went name grabbing in the portal this past year, rather than processing the right players. It bit them in the ***.

2. We will never be in some teams level when it comes to NIL. There are 5 teams right now head and shoulders above everyone in spending. We are top 15.

3. That’s a hard question. Most didn’t Cam a star even before he came. But if you are asking if we will be getting players his caliber then I would say 1 for now. That’s how highly I think of said person I know of. Not the same position though.

 

[Donny Donowitz]

we only hit on 3 portal kids this past cycle.

Depends on how you look at it. As far as downright studs. Yes. But we won’t have an elite player at every position. It’s not plausible even for the highest of spenders.

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

1. FSU didn’t recruit like we did to set themselves up. We have way more young talent to work with. They also went name grabbing in the portal this past year, rather than processing the right players. It bit them in the ***.

2. We will never be in some teams level when it comes to NIL. There are 5 teams right now head and shoulders above everyone in spending. We are top 15.

3. That’s a hard question. Most didn’t Cam a star even before he came. But if you are asking if we will be getting players his caliber then I would say 1 for now. That’s how highly I think of said person I know of. Not the same position though.

I agree we’re in a much better situation than FSU is for sure. I’m just not sure how it stacks up to the group of teams we should aspire to belong with, that dominate both HS and portal. But like you said, maybe the money isn’t there to do both.

People will get upset that I’m bringing Oregon up but their portal evaluations were impeccable. I would do Ole Miss too, but people might actually jump off a ledge if I do.

- Jabar Muhammad: lockdown CB

- Derrick Harmon: unreal DT with multiple years of eligibility, was top 6 in the nation in pressures (overall, not just DTs)

- Dillon Gabriel: not the flashiest but runs the offense exactly how Will Stein wants it; leads the country in completion percentage

- Evan Stewart: great WR2, capable of going off for WR1 numbers; 10/92 against Wisco when they needed him. 7/149 against Ohio State when they needed him.

- Brandon Johnson: solid corner
- Kobe Savage: good safety in coverage

- Jamaree Caldwell: beast interior guy that’s top 40 PFF; forming the only top 40 PFF interior duo (with Harmon) in the country.

They had some whiffs on depth guys for sure - but their hits were monster hits. We need something similar in the portal, and it’s going to cost a pretty penny to fight all the big dogs.

I have no doubt we can do it, but we need a class similar to this…and probably more, if we’re being honest.

For elite portal guys…

- QB
- Two starting corners
- One monster DT
- One #1 WR
- One starting LB
- At least one pass rusher off the edge
- One / two safeties

That’s a lot, and it doesn’t even begin to describe depth, a potential new center, transfers of our own…it’s going to be a fun offseason, that’s for sure

 

[Donny Donowitz]

I agree we’re in a much better situation than FSU is for sure. I’m just not sure how it stacks up to the group of teams we should aspire to belong with, that dominate both HS and portal. But like you said, maybe the money isn’t there to do both.

People will get upset that I’m bringing Oregon up but their portal evaluations were impeccable. I would do Ole Miss too, but people might actually jump off a ledge if I do.

- Jabar Muhammad: lockdown CB

- Derrick Harmon: unreal DT with multiple years of eligibility, was top 6 in the nation in pressures (overall, not just DTs)

- Dillon Gabriel: not the flashiest but runs the offense exactly how Will Stein wants it; leads the country in completion percentage

- Evan Stewart: great WR2, capable of going off for WR1 numbers; 10/92 against Wisco when they needed him. 7/149 against Ohio State when they needed him.

- Brandon Johnson: solid corner
- Kobe Savage: good safety in coverage

- Jamaree Caldwell: beast interior guy that’s top 40 PFF; forming the only top 40 PFF interior duo (with Harmon) in the country.

They had some whiffs on depth guys for sure - but their hits were monster hits. We need something similar in the portal, and it’s going to cost a pretty penny to fight all the big dogs.

I have no doubt we can do it, but we need a class similar to this…and probably more, if we’re being honest.

For elite portal guys…

- QB
- Two starting corners
- One monster DT
- One #1 WR
- One starting LB
- At least one pass rusher off the edge
- One / two safeties

That’s a lot, and it doesn’t even begin to describe depth, a potential new center, transfers of our own…it’s going to be a fun offseason, that’s for sure

Nice write up. Couldn’t agree more.

 

[1mg of Epi]

You sign the HS recruits, then you ALSO sign the portal players you need. Unless you no longer have the cash, at which point u make hard choices.

 

[flips]

For elite portal guys…

- QB
- Two starting corners
- One monster DT
- One #1 WR
- One starting LB
- At least one pass rusher off the edge
- One / two safeties

That’s a lot, and it doesn’t even begin to describe depth, a potential new center, transfers of our own…it’s going to be a fun offseason, that’s for sure

We need a #1 WR and we need a slot WR from the portal. Assuming Sam Brown is indeed gone, probably wouldn't hurt to take a #2-3 type to replace George, since we have no idea whether Trader is ready to step into that role cause he barely played this year.

 

[JHallCanes]

Gonna know about a year from now how we did with this class and the portal

But that’s no fun

 

[Yoyo423]

You sign the HS recruits, then you ALSO sign the portal players you need. Unless you no longer have the cash, at which point u make hard choices.

We don't have the cash to do both obviously.

You won't hear about Oregon or Texas or Ohio State saying they spent all their money on HS so they have limited funds for the portal.

It's both/and not either/or.

It feels like we did both/and last year (Cam/Martinez in the portal were the top at their positions and Scott/Lightfoot/Blount from HS) and we STILL couldn't win the ACC or make a 12 team playoff.

Not sure how taking a step back in spending will make us better.

 

[RightSaidFred]

1. FSU didn’t recruit like we did to set themselves up. We have way more young talent to work with. They also went name grabbing in the portal this past year, rather than processing the right players. It bit them in the ***.

2. We will never be in some teams level when it comes to NIL. There are 5 teams right now head and shoulders above everyone in spending. We are top 15.

3. That’s a hard question. Most didn’t Cam a star even before he came. But if you are asking if we will be getting players his caliber then I would say 1 for now. That’s how highly I think of said person I know of. Not the same position though.

Top 15 isn't good enough when you're a private school in a big media market. 80% of Miami's fanbase has no obligation to the school whatsoever. We're not Nebraska, where you can win 8 games a year and still have the stands filled.

Miami needs to win natties or the brand equity earned in the 80's that they've been coasting on will eventually turn in to Pitt.

To win, Miami needs to invest. And not in some kind of halfassed way either.

The fact that there are 5 teams "head and shoulders" above us in spending is unacceptable and self-destructive. As a small private school, Miami can't afford to operate that way.

We have billionaire doners. They need to step the **** up.

 

[Fawk_U Haters]

In the past I would have agreed 100 percent.

But this really isn’t the same game anymore. There’s a reason Cribby doesn’t comment about recruiting as much. It’s because it’s money driven nowadays. I truthfully think Zo came in to teach about cap/spending and how to build a roster accordingly.

Now if Mario loses the one I know of and doesn’t reel in some real talent elsewhere from the portal then you are 100 percent correct on us deserving better.

For the difference makers it's always been about money. that hasn't changed and it didn't seem to bother us when we were bagging 5 stars with ****** seasons the last couple of years. So what really changed? DId we lose our stomach to pay top dollar, do we not have top dollar?

Mario acted like we were a B grade consolation prize this year.....why? that's my question? Did we not anticipate the market going up? It's like escalation it's going to go up every year until people are sick of paying it.

I'd really like to know what the difference was this cycle compared to the last two

 

[mirasuegui]

We wanted a handful of kids and didn’t get them. Bottom line. Not other way around it.

If you are a defensive recruit, and see the lack of development, in every position group on defense, you be nuts to sign on. I don't know of one player that actually improved, from Guidry's first year here. Then you see kids we discard, helping out SMU win the ACC. Good grief.

 

[Zombie-Cane]

While I agree with the sentiment that if you had to choose, you’d rather pay proven commodities over “gambles” per se…some things come to mind.

1. Did we not just clown the FSU approach and warn them that by living and dying in the portal, you leave yourself susceptible to disastrous seasons?

2. It’s not like these big schools blew all their cash on the 2025 HS class. They’re going to spend just as much, and likely more, for guys that can help them win now. The portal is going to be the Wild West, as it always is. For a QB alone - OU, Oregon, LSU, Miami, FSU, Auburn, Bama, TAMU, North Carolina, UGA will all be sniffing around at the options. Ole Miss and Penn State, maybe...but they have some talented youngsters. Ohio State if they want someone to challenge Sayin? Possibly. Anyways, you get the point.

We out-bagged everyone last time, now you have to do it again…with more competitors.

3. How many stars do you expect to grab from the portal?

We aren't going to be living and dying by the portal like those inbred folks at fsu. Unlike them, we are bringing in good, young, HS talent. We are supplementing them with the portal, which to be a top team in the new age of CFB, is what you have to do.

Sorry Bro, just saw he already responded. My bad.

 

[Zombie-Cane]

I agree we’re in a much better situation than FSU is for sure. I’m just not sure how it stacks up to the group of teams we should aspire to belong with, that dominate both HS and portal. But like you said, maybe the money isn’t there to do both.

People will get upset that I’m bringing Oregon up but their portal evaluations were impeccable. I would do Ole Miss too, but people might actually jump off a ledge if I do.

- Jabar Muhammad: lockdown CB

- Derrick Harmon: unreal DT with multiple years of eligibility, was top 6 in the nation in pressures (overall, not just DTs)

- Dillon Gabriel: not the flashiest but runs the offense exactly how Will Stein wants it; leads the country in completion percentage

- Evan Stewart: great WR2, capable of going off for WR1 numbers; 10/92 against Wisco when they needed him. 7/149 against Ohio State when they needed him.

- Brandon Johnson: solid corner
- Kobe Savage: good safety in coverage

- Jamaree Caldwell: beast interior guy that’s top 40 PFF; forming the only top 40 PFF interior duo (with Harmon) in the country.

They had some whiffs on depth guys for sure - but their hits were monster hits. We need something similar in the portal, and it’s going to cost a pretty penny to fight all the big dogs.

I have no doubt we can do it, but we need a class similar to this…and probably more, if we’re being honest.

For elite portal guys…

- QB
- Two starting corners
- One monster DT
- One #1 WR
- One starting LB
- At least one pass rusher off the edge
- One / two safeties

That’s a lot, and it doesn’t even begin to describe depth, a potential new center, transfers of our own…it’s going to be a fun offseason, that’s for sure

I will not crucify for bringing up Oregon or Ole Miss as your examples because you are spot on, they both nailed in this past season. I will say however, only Lanning was able to put it all together. Lane ****ed down his leg far more than Mario at wasting what should have been an amazing season.

 

[ageezy]

This is not a sunshine pumping post for the current staff by any means.

But, as someone who can take emotion out of processing things…I totally get why we lost out on some of these HS recruits.

The fact is we have a ton of youth already. We need “elite” transfers like we seen in Cam and Dmart.

So do you pay top dollar for the proven player or a recruit like Pickett/Alford?

I think it’s a balancing act, but I also think this is going to be a phenomenal transfer class.

I think next year we will spend big in HS recruits. But this year will be a big portal year for us. We will be getting a top player at multiple positions.

I know of 1 player specifically we are going after and it’s looking good. Y’all will be pleased and it will be happening soon.

mopes dont like facts ... all they know is that thet didnt get all the toys they wanted for christmas so now mc sucks ... we wanted a top ten class, he gave a top 14