The Bobcat Nation

Especially in this environment, is really quite phenomenal. This has been discussed in other threads, and Colter wrote a great segment on it but look at this list of players that MSU lost last year. I just pulled these from the roster so might be a mistake or two in there.

Seniors:
Marqui Johnson
Tommy Mellott
Miles Jackson
Simeon Woodard
Garrett Walchli
Rylan Ortt
Danny Uluilakepa
Brody Grebe
McCade O’Reilly
Nicholas Korom
Cole Sain
Justus Perkins
Tommy Sullivan
Marcus Wehr
Ryan Lonergan
Blake Schmidt
Brendan Hall

Transfer Portal:
Rohan Jones
Conner Moore
Elijah Elliot
Scottre Humphrey
Dru Polidore
Andrew Powdrell
Lonyatta Alexander Jr.
Cole Bullock
Jon Johnson
Kai Golan
Untarrio LH?

And we're headed to the Natty. Below is the list of only 9 Seniors we'll lose after this season. The future is incredibly bright.
Jackson Harmon
Kenny Eiden
Hunter Parsons
Paul Brott
Alec Eckert
JT Reid
Julius Davis
Chris Long
Ryan King

Transfer Portal: TBD

Unterio LH was dismissed from the program.

https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/t ... 3c25c.html

Doesn't detraact from your point though. When you see them all listed out it's mind blowing!

I think in the current state of college football, the larger FBS schools are relying so much on the Portal that MSU has been able to bring in a significant number of high school recruits that they probably wouldn't have had a chance to sign in the pre-portal era. Look at how many players MSU has had this year who have played and excelled as freshmen and sophomores - yes, some of those players will transfer out but MSU is better for having had them on the team even for 2 years instead of 4.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:13 pm

I think in the current state of college football, the larger FBS schools are relying so much on the Portal that MSU has been able to bring in a significant number of high school recruits that they probably wouldn't have had a chance to sign in the pre-portal era. Look at how many players MSU has had this year who have played and excelled as freshmen and sophomores - yes, some of those players will transfer out but MSU is better for having had them on the team even for 2 years instead of 4.

Yup, 100%. I think Choate and Vigen have both stated this, saying we are now able to sign much better players out of high school than any time in history. So I guess one tiny sliver lining in this ugly world of CFB we live in now.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:13 pm

I think in the current state of college football, the larger FBS schools are relying so much on the Portal that MSU has been able to bring in a significant number of high school recruits that they probably wouldn't have had a chance to sign in the pre-portal era. Look at how many players MSU has had this year who have played and excelled as freshmen and sophomores - yes, some of those players will transfer out but MSU is better for having had them on the team even for 2 years instead of 4.

Yep. think Vigen and Co are using the Portal as a benefit while most teams are losing to it.

I thought the narrative a couple of years ago was that Vigen was only winning because of Choate recruits.

AFCAT wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:49 pm

I thought the narrative a couple of years ago was that Vigen was only winning because of Choate recruits.

Haha I think that was the narrative. But clearly those who pushed that narrative were wrong. Vigen has done a phenomenal job. I hope he stays 10 more years and the Cats win that many nattys!!

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

jhopmsu79 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:35 pm

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

While that's a wonderful thought, the chance to make truly life-changing, generational wealth is likely too much to pass up, especially considering he's already turned two chances down. At some point, he's going to take a job at the FBS level. He's too good not to.

AFCAT wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:49 pm

I thought the narrative a couple of years ago was that Vigen was only winning because of Choate recruits.

I’m not smart enough to know whether it’s because of better evaluations, better development, or just better recruiting, but the last couple classes that have signed here are better than anything I’ve seen since I’ve started to pay attention.

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:06 pm

jhopmsu79 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:35 pm

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

While that's a wonderful thought, the chance to make truly life-changing, generational wealth is likely too much to pass up, especially considering he's already turned two chances down. At some point, he's going to take a job at the FBS level. He's too good not to.

Make 500 to 750000 at MSU for 10 years or 1,500,000 at a school that will fire him in 3 years if he doesn't turn it around?

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:06 pm

jhopmsu79 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:35 pm

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

While that's a wonderful thought, the chance to make truly life-changing, generational wealth is likely too much to pass up, especially considering he's already turned two chances down. At some point, he's going to take a job at the FBS level. He's too good not to.

I thought this up until a couple weeks ago. I don't think he leaves now at this point unless it's for a power 4 job.

tetoncat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:45 pm

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:06 pm

jhopmsu79 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:35 pm

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

While that's a wonderful thought, the chance to make truly life-changing, generational wealth is likely too much to pass up, especially considering he's already turned two chances down. At some point, he's going to take a job at the FBS level. He's too good not to.

Make 500 to 750000 at MSU for 10 years or 1,500,000 at a school that will fire him in 3 years if he doesn't turn it around?

Go make the $1.5 mil for three or four years. If it works out you move on to $3 or $4 million. If it doesn't, you come back to FCS and make the $500k. He's going to leave almost certainly.

onceacat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:43 pm

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:13 pm

I think in the current state of college football, the larger FBS schools are relying so much on the Portal that MSU has been able to bring in a significant number of high school recruits that they probably wouldn't have had a chance to sign in the pre-portal era. Look at how many players MSU has had this year who have played and excelled as freshmen and sophomores - yes, some of those players will transfer out but MSU is better for having had them on the team even for 2 years instead of 4.

Yep. think Vigen and Co are using the Portal as a benefit while most teams are losing to it.

I couldn’t agree more. The portal is a trap, while a few pick ups, can be beneficial, building an entire roster or even majority of it is detrimental. Once you have gone down that road, you lose building and developing players within your program. That looks a lot like what is happening across the divide.

seataccat wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 02, 2026 1:34 am

tetoncat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:45 pm

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:06 pm

jhopmsu79 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:35 pm

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

While that's a wonderful thought, the chance to make truly life-changing, generational wealth is likely too much to pass up, especially considering he's already turned two chances down. At some point, he's going to take a job at the FBS level. He's too good not to.

Make 500 to 750000 at MSU for 10 years or 1,500,000 at a school that will fire him in 3 years if he doesn't turn it around?

Go make the $1.5 mil for three or four years. If it works out you move on to $3 or $4 million. If it doesn't, you come back to FCS and make the $500k. He's going to leave almost certainly.

If a 500k jobs available. More than likely would go coordinator or position coach route and back on the carousel of moving. He hooked to Bohls and didn't have to do that in his career.

AFCAT wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:49 pm

I thought the narrative a couple of years ago was that Vigen was only winning because of Choate recruits.

I think that was Choate’s narrative. Haha

wbtfg wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 02, 2026 9:42 am

AFCAT wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:49 pm

I thought the narrative a couple of years ago was that Vigen was only winning because of Choate recruits.

I think that was Choate’s narrative. Haha

She’s a narrative!
Narrative!
On the floor,

I’m soooo sick of that word.

seataccat wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 02, 2026 1:34 am

tetoncat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:45 pm

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:06 pm

jhopmsu79 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:35 pm

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

While that's a wonderful thought, the chance to make truly life-changing, generational wealth is likely too much to pass up, especially considering he's already turned two chances down. At some point, he's going to take a job at the FBS level. He's too good not to.

Make 500 to 750000 at MSU for 10 years or 1,500,000 at a school that will fire him in 3 years if he doesn't turn it around?

Go make the $1.5 mil for three or four years. If it works out you move on to $3 or $4 million. If it doesn't, you come back to FCS and make the $500k. He's going to leave almost certainly.

And if coming back to FCS, he would have the pick of any job opening he wants. A proven commodity.

Cataholic wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 03, 2026 10:17 am

seataccat wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 02, 2026 1:34 am

tetoncat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:45 pm

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:06 pm

jhopmsu79 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:35 pm

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

While that's a wonderful thought, the chance to make truly life-changing, generational wealth is likely too much to pass up, especially considering he's already turned two chances down. At some point, he's going to take a job at the FBS level. He's too good not to.

Make 500 to 750000 at MSU for 10 years or 1,500,000 at a school that will fire him in 3 years if he doesn't turn it around?

Go make the $1.5 mil for three or four years. If it works out you move on to $3 or $4 million. If it doesn't, you come back to FCS and make the $500k. He's going to leave almost certainly.

And if coming back to FCS, he would have the pick of any job opening he wants. A proven commodity.

IDK, Colter is of the opinion that Vigen will stay, especially after winning the Natty Monday. I'm pretty sure it was him and Mikey Rider talking about it. I think they both made some pretty good points about things that had value over the money. Like being the man in charge of a winning program, family stability, having roots, etc. Their points had merit.

nanacat wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 03, 2026 10:28 am

Cataholic wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 03, 2026 10:17 am

seataccat wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 02, 2026 1:34 am

tetoncat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:45 pm

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:06 pm

jhopmsu79 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:35 pm

After winning a national championship with both his kids on the team. I can't see him leaving next year when his team could be even better for a repeat.

While that's a wonderful thought, the chance to make truly life-changing, generational wealth is likely too much to pass up, especially considering he's already turned two chances down. At some point, he's going to take a job at the FBS level. He's too good not to.

Make 500 to 750000 at MSU for 10 years or 1,500,000 at a school that will fire him in 3 years if he doesn't turn it around?

Go make the $1.5 mil for three or four years. If it works out you move on to $3 or $4 million. If it doesn't, you come back to FCS and make the $500k. He's going to leave almost certainly.

And if coming back to FCS, he would have the pick of any job opening he wants. A proven commodity.

IDK, Colter is of the opinion that Vigen will stay, especially after winning the Natty Monday. I'm pretty sure it was him and Mikey Rider talking about it. I think they both made some pretty good points about things that had value over the money. Like being the man in charge of a winning program, family stability, having roots, etc. Their points had merit.

I agree with to an extent, and think he would look at all angles before making a decision. In other words, let's say he got an offer to more or less double his total comp and go to a crap FBS dead end school... probably wouldn't do it. But, if he got let's say a multi year twenty million dollar deal (Which is entirely possible), he would probably jump.