Bobcat Portal News Only

[coloradocat]

You want to hear something depressing. Just talked to offensively player who is a starter and touchdown maker. I asked if he will be back and he said he doesn’t know. He said with all the portal money he is taking calls and just got off the phone with a Big 12 school. I said I hope you’re back, and it’s a pleasure watching you. He said he would most likely be back but hasn’t decided yet. He also said the cats are targeting the QB from Stanford and the Martinez kid that played at NAU then went to Baylor.

Yeah it’s about the money folks and it sucks.

Jones or Dowler, I would guess. Jones has stated he is staying, but there are six hours left in the day. I could see Dowler getting offers but leaving his brother and a rabid fan base that loves him would be crazy. I guess nothing would surprise me after this week.

If it's one of those you mentioned, would that be the first Montana native that portalled out? And what sort of effect will that have moving forward? Could be good for the hopefuls and recruiting in some ways. Could be really bad for the fan base though and team morale in general.

I brought up the history of MT players not leaving to an FCS/FBS team earlier this week and it looks like there has really only been one in the last decade or so.

If we lose a MT player in the current NIL era that could open the floodgates. Then we'd really have a problem.

[catzz]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

[BelligerentBobcat]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

[nanacat]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

You think of we hadn't made it to the NC they would be getting the same attention? Not sure I agree. Too bad NDSU can keep their players and the Cats can't.

[kwcat]

Coincidence, as we have discussions particularly in regards to being recruited for the NFL, tight ends for Philadelphia and Green Bay come from FCS South Dakota state.
And now the starting right tackle for Tampa Bay Buccaneers comes from North Dakota State
I realize that players transfer for different reasons, but there is one where I think they don’t realize potential to get recruited where they are at in a winning program.

And add to that Sam Houston State, Fordham, Furman, and Weber State for FCS players now playing for Tampa Bay

[catzz]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

Polidore drastically changed his mind in the past 24 hours.. Do you think he was getting calls for the past month with potential offers/places and was just like, — no thanks? Or do you think it really warmed up for him in the past 24 hours?

[JoeCatsJoe]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

You think of we hadn't made it to the NC they would be getting the same attention? Not sure I agree. Too bad NDSU can keep their players and the Cats can't.

Does anyone know why that is? Why are we getting stripped, but they aren’t? Do they really have 6x the amount of NIL money?

[kwcat]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

Polidore drastically changed his mind in the past 24 hours.. Do you think he was getting calls for the past month with potential offers/places and was just like, — no thanks? Or do you think it really warmed up for him in the past 24 hours?

I think the attention of the national championship game, allowed big schools to focus on just two teams and look at film and then research from there. Being on national TV with the exposure on Monday night with no competition probably helped or hurt however, you wanna look at it

[seataccat]

This whole portal stuff is just another reason that coaches have to take their payday when the opportunity arises. Vigens stock will likely never be as good as it was between the semifinal and natty.

I agree with this and said so at the time. It might be a long time before another WSU or Fresno State job is offered assuming he's trying to move up and I'm certain he is.
I cannot believe that anyone would criticize a player from going into the portal if they choose. Like it or not college football generates literally billions of dollars. The amount of time and effort put into being a DivI football player is huge. Many of these guys will leave their playing days with a dibilitating injury. The scholarship money paid to them is peanuts compared to the hours they spend. Most would make more per hour serving coffee at starbucks. If a player has the opportunity for a payday he should take it, just like any other job in this country. If a player is moving laterally or down for playing time, good for them. If he is just rolling the dice for a better fit, that is also his prerogative.
My son is playing colligiate hockey and has been on a team since he was four. No player I knew ever saw any of his teams as anything more than a place to develope and showcase his abilities to move to the next level. The end game at his level was to play in the WHL for a stipend and live with a host family. The stakes are much higher for DivI football players. If you're really a fan of "one for all and all for one," I would suggest becoming a fan of the traveling Marine Corps rugby team or an Olympic team where the athletes aren't going into the pros.
This dynamic is certainly going to disrupt college football as we know it.

[Bobcat4Ever]

By my count, 10 Bobcats have entered the portal.

What’s interesting is that only 3 of them— Moore, Humphrey, and Powdrell— started college at MSU. The rest came to Bozeman from somewhere else.

Transfers gonna transfer...

And Coach Vigen is obviously adapting to this. I’m totally happy that he’s taken no portal players, yet. Things into Spring change, and one of those with this team has been injuries. He’ll know what he needs. I’d been wondering about the possibility of gray-shirts out of high school joining the team now, but would any of those have been known by now? There must be some players that still can and do put a premium on joining a stable team — that’s a mammoth thing that he can sell compared to the um … gr …! It’s working for Coach Bin. Looking at the players she has commits from one and two years ahead, it’s pretty clear that stability is becoming a valuable token.

[catzz]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

You think of we hadn't made it to the NC they would be getting the same attention? Not sure I agree. Too bad NDSU can keep their players and the Cats can't.

Does anyone know why that is? Why are we getting stripped, but they aren’t? Do they really have 6x the amount of NIL money?

No idea. But I think we probably need to have an honest and probably sobering conversation about it and find out how bad we are lacking. I’ll be honest, I’m not a contributor to the Collective as I donate in other ways.. Stretched as it is. Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate how I/we as fans are donating.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

Polidore drastically changed his mind in the past 24 hours.. Do you think he was getting calls for the past month with potential offers/places and was just like, — no thanks? Or do you think it really warmed up for him in the past 24 hours?

I don’t think being the last two teams available made a difference. More likely he got offered more and turning down different offers. Same thing likely happens whenever his deadline is.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

You think of we hadn't made it to the NC they would be getting the same attention? Not sure I agree. Too bad NDSU can keep their players and the Cats can't.

I think that idea just shows ignorance towards what college football is today. Those teams didn’t find these players because of the natty. They knew about them before. They have scouts/analysts that scour any team “below” them to find and attain talent.

[nanacat]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

You think of we hadn't made it to the NC they would be getting the same attention? Not sure I agree. Too bad NDSU can keep their players and the Cats can't.

I think that idea just shows ignorance towards what college football is today. Those teams didn’t find these players because of the natty. They knew about them before. They have scouts/analysts that scour any team “below” them to find and attain talent.

I guess. So it's like someone else said, it's just that MSU and NDSU are the available ones now. But the NDSU players are saying no.

[SparkCat]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

You think of we hadn't made it to the NC they would be getting the same attention? Not sure I agree. Too bad NDSU can keep their players and the Cats can't.

I think that idea just shows ignorance towards what college football is today. Those teams didn’t find these players because of the natty. They knew about them before. They have scouts/analysts that scour any team “below” them to find and attain talent.

I guess. So it's like someone else said, it's just that MSU and NDSU are the available ones now. But the NDSU players are saying no.

Not gonna lie. Be really cool if we can start raising enough to keep players, and they can tell a bigger school to go kick rocks as they want to win.

[nanacat]

Part of the issue right now: only Montana State and North Dakota State players are eligible to enter the portal. Maybe a few fbs teams. So all the vultures are focused on a few teams.

Definitely overlooked this aspect… But it has to be damn true!

All of these players would have left regardless of when they could enter the portal.

You think of we hadn't made it to the NC they would be getting the same attention? Not sure I agree. Too bad NDSU can keep their players and the Cats can't.

I think that idea just shows ignorance towards what college football is today. Those teams didn’t find these players because of the natty. They knew about them before. They have scouts/analysts that scour any team “below” them to find and attain talent.

I guess. So it's like someone else said, it's just that MSU and NDSU are the available ones now. But the NDSU players are saying no.

Not gonna lie. Be really cool if we can start raising enough to keep players, and they can tell a bigger school to go kick rocks as they want to win.

Yes

[MSU01]

Personally I'm more excited about the 2025 season now than I was five days ago. So long to those who don't want to be here anymore and it will be fun to see who comes in. MSU will undoubtedly be a desirable landing spot for some very talented incoming transfers.

Also, if anyone's feeling a little down about the football team I'd suggest giving basketball a watch this winter! The women in particular could have a historically good team this year, 14-2, 4-0 in the Big Sky, and just beat the co-favorite NAU on the road yesterday.

[tetoncat]

I guess we know Jhase McMillan will be leaving as soon as he gets a pay day! Buyer beware, stay away from his NIL shop goods!!!

You nor I know that... but do as you please. He's a good kid that if you ask any coach, player or parent about him will have nothing but positive things to say... it's what it is

I’m frustrated too. But to make decisions on how you feel about a player or if you’re going to support them because of other players isn’t quite right. Support the guys while they are here.

What I can say is Jhase's dad stays away from this board purposefully. And jhase rarely gets on social media at all. He, jhase, could careless if you support him or not... the kid is focused and outside voices mean little to him... if he cared about what people thought he wouldn't be at Montana St in the first place so take that for what it's worth.....

Yeah, I, not sure what Jhase has to do with this. To pick him out is kind of bizarre.

It's weirdo behavior and quiet frankly is the type of behavior that is very off putting to a family member. Like I get you're a super bobcat fan but to make a public decree to NOT support a player is something that can easily keep kids from wanting to come here.... but hey who cares right?

Wait wait wait, I can take some blame on this. When I was having a meltdown about losing people I asked Texas how long Jhase was planning on staying… so I’ll admit to that. Never said I would not support him, I’m actually pumped about Jhase, and it’s a big reason I’m not to up in arms about losing some DB’s

Not you..... the other post where my guy said that everyone should stay away from his NIL shop goods..... then another poster backed it up by saying to get merch from some other place... like it's that kind of weirdo behavior that depending on the family will keep kids from coming here...... because what I see is if you're a really good player from out of state the montana folk are going to think you're going to leave so they shouldn't support you with an NIL.... that tells me as a parent of athlete I shouldn't consider msu cause you only support montana....... I'm sure the out of state families would love that.

I interpreted the post as donate to direct NIL rather than products for specific players. Some will likely do that. Used to be able to buy a young players jersey and wear it 4 years, not that might not be the case.

[AFCAT]

Personally I'm more excited about the 2025 season now than I was five days ago. So long to those who don't want to be here anymore and it will be fun to see who comes in. MSU will undoubtedly be a desirable landing spot for some very talented incoming transfers.

Also, if anyone's feeling a little down about the football team I'd suggest giving basketball a watch this winter! The women in particular could have a historically good team this year, 14-2, 4-0 in the Big Sky, and just beat the co-favorite NAU on the road yesterday.

Everyone should manage their expectations with the men’s basketball team though.

[nanacat]

I'm banking on what Vim said earlier today that we could start hearing good news as early as tomorrow. Here's hoping