Bobcat Portal News Only

[SparkCat]

Losing some secondary dudes certainly sucks, it’s a position that a few errors can really change the tied of the game. However, it sounds like we have some younger speedsters who can step up into those spots so right now I’m not to concerned. Mostly concerned with depth behind those guys, where a portal dude or two can help. Also, although it was not the norm through the season, ending the season with a cushion on the receivers reminiscent of the Ash era made my stomach turn.

[nanacat]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

[Lord Vigo]

Everybody needs to chill out. And you definitely shouldn't be calling players out that are still on the team. Here's my perspective, which some of you need a little more of, on all the transfer outs so far.


Portal out:
Conner Moore: Everybody knew this was going to happen for awhile. No surprise. We will be fine. Cedric played pretty well when he had too.
Jared White: Buried on the depth chart. We will be fine
Blake Stillwell: Passed up on depth chart. We will be fine.
Cole Bullock: Buried on depth chart. We will be fine
Marqui Johnson: Buried on depth chart. We will be fine
Elijah Elliott: Buried on depth chart. We will be fine
Scottre Humphrey: I like what we have returning in the that room, also, there's a reason this position isn't valued in NFL. We will be fine.
Rohan Jones: As long as his replacement wants to block on the perimeter. Should be fine.
Garrett Walchli: Buried on depth chart. We will be fine
Lonyatta Alexander Jr.: Ryan King had passed him up on the depth chart. We will be fine
Andrew Powdrell: Physical, good in run support as cb. His coverage skills can be replaced. Secondary is a big question mark
Jon Johnson: If it wasn't for the recent JuCo thing we weren't going to have him anyway. Secondary is a big question mark
Casey Kautzman : Passed up on depth chart. We will be fine
Dru Polidore: Biggest loss in my mind. However, we were 6-0 w/o him and Taki started to show something. Secondary is big question mark

So the biggest portal hit in my mind is the secondary. It will be interesting to see if we bring in some competition there. If the coaches don't bring in anybody, that's probably a good sign.

Based purely on talent, I would rank the significant losses this way:

1) Conner Moore
2) Scottre Humphrey
3) Dru Polidore
4) Rohan Jones
5) Andrew Powdrell
6) Jon Johnson

The rest of the losses are basically irrelevant.

Based on how much the Bobcats as currently constituted can afford to lose these guys and also considering amount of eligibility left, I would "pain rank" them this way:

1) Andrew Powdrell: He had two years left and was only just emerging as a consistently positive contributor. His time at MSU was a lot of investment and very little return.

2) Jon Johnson: I understand the argument that this is a guy we expected to lose, but with the new rules he had 2 years left that he could have given the Cats. They don't have the depth currently on the roster to absorb these losses at CB and good corners are hard to find at this level. At least in his case he gave them some good seasons before leaving.

3) Conner Moore: I know that the Cats have a great track record of finding/developing OL, but Moore is the kind of talent that really matters when you're facing the Dakota schools and he also had 2 years left. Again, at least in his case he had given the Cats two years of high quality play before departing.

4) Dru Polidore: For my money, Polidore was the best overall defensive back on the team. His combination of physicality and range is hard to come by and will be hard to replace. However, he gave the Cats a lot of good play during his time and was going to be gone after this season regardless.

5) Rohan Jones: I see this as the offensive mirror image of Polidore-- very unique skillset that isn't easy to find but who was going to be gone after this season. I have him below Polidore because I think there's a lot more young talent on the roster at TE than at S.

6) Scottre Humphrey: I am not in the camp that thinks RB doesn't really matter. I don't think that's true at this level of football. When Humphrey was right, he was/is a game-breaker and he had 2 seasons left. What keeps this from hurting worse is the presence of Jones and Davis. Jones has the potential to be better in the long run and Davis is high quality.

[SparkCat]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

[VimSince03]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

...we won that game?

[AFCAT]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

...we won that game?

Yeah, I think the offensive struggles in that game had more to do with who was playing QB that anything else. I think that game was the beginning of the end of McKay’s time at MSU.

[AFCAT]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Obviously, Polidore was offered some big cash or he would have stayed. Who knows what Powdrell is thinking but I doubt it had anything to do with the coaches. The young man was a starter. Johnson is confusing but he would have been done anyway had it not been for the extra years he was given by the recent lawsuit.

[VimSince03]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

...we won that game?

Yeah, I think the offensive struggles in that game had more to do with who was playing QB that anything else. I think that game was the beginning of the end of McKay’s time at MSU.

I was being sarcastic but I agree with you. Weber was playing SOOO close to the line of scrimmage and a player like Tommy would've ate them up. I felt McKay got his groove back against EWU but then he laid a major egg against Idaho and UM...it was over.

[AFCAT]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

...we won that game?

Yeah, I think the offensive struggles in that game had more to do with who was playing QB that anything else. I think that game was the beginning of the end of McKay’s time at MSU.

I was being sarcastic but I agree with you. Weber was playing SOOO close to the line of scrimmage and a player like Tommy would've ate them up. I felt McKay got his groove back against EWU but then he laid a major egg against Idaho and UM...it was over.

I know you knew who won. I was just making an observation on why the offense sucked that day. I think McKay pulled the ball once and that was near the end of the game to get a first down to eventually run out the clock. He couldn’t or wouldn’t pull the ball when he absolutely should have.

[nanacat]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

Yes, the NC game was certainly a head scratcher and the worst possible timing for a bad game. My comment was more directed to losing so many out of a position group and wondering about the mass exodus there. Probably money for Polidore with the switch 2 days later, but the others seem more of a question mark. The OP wondered if it was the way the NC game was called with soft zone.

[VimSince03]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

...we won that game?

Yeah, I think the offensive struggles in that game had more to do with who was playing QB that anything else. I think that game was the beginning of the end of McKay’s time at MSU.

I was being sarcastic but I agree with you. Weber was playing SOOO close to the line of scrimmage and a player like Tommy would've ate them up. I felt McKay got his groove back against EWU but then he laid a major egg against Idaho and UM...it was over.

I know you knew who won. I was just making an observation on why the offense sucked that day. I think McKay pulled the ball once and that was near the end of the game to get a first down to eventually run out the clock. He couldn’t or wouldn’t pull the ball when he absolutely should have.

I knew you knew that I knew you knew I was being sarcastic.

[SparkCat]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

...we won that game?

Yeah, I think the offensive struggles in that game had more to do with who was playing QB that anything else. I think that game was the beginning of the end of McKay’s time at MSU.

I was being sarcastic but I agree with you. Weber was playing SOOO close to the line of scrimmage and a player like Tommy would've ate them up. I felt McKay got his groove back against EWU but then he laid a major egg against Idaho and UM...it was over.

I know you knew who won. I was just making an observation on why the offense sucked that day. I think McKay pulled the ball once and that was near the end of the game to get a first down to eventually run out the clock. He couldn’t or wouldn’t pull the ball when he absolutely should have.

I knew you knew that I knew you knew I was being sarcastic.

And you both knew that I knew that you’d know what I meant??…

[SparkCat]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

Yes, the NC game was certainly a head scratcher and the worst possible timing for a bad game. My comment was more directed to losing so many out of a position group and wondering about the mass exodus there. Probably money for Polidore with the switch 2 days later, but the others seem more of a question mark. The OP wondered if it was the way the NC game was called with soft zone.

I shee. Well, against any formidable opponent we’d play that way, only it would be in the second half and more times than not would bring that team back in the game. Guess they wanted to just get it out of their system in the first half instead of the second, however, I’d lean towards, no, that’s not why dudes are transferring.

[kwcat]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

...we won that game?

Yeah, I think the offensive struggles in that game had more to do with who was playing QB that anything else. I think that game was the beginning of the end of McKay’s time at MSU.

I believe that is the game where mckay took the big hit and was never the same.
The thing about Weber state is you can never let them hang around in a game because they will physically make you pay. They are always stronger and more mature than other opponents. They also are very good at the type of trash talk that gets in young players heads.
You can watch them crumble, however, in a three possession game.
Back to Mckay, after he took the big hit that game, he was just never the same. He was shy to take hits, and it completely changed the demeanor of how he played.

[Prodigal Cat]

Maybe bigger offers will come in, but Powdrell leaving for G5 is so lame.

I didn't see where he had signed anywhere...

Like I said, maybe bigger offers will come in, but so far it’s exclusively G5 and if he ends up leaving to go to a program that the Cats would likely beat head to head, that’s just lame.

He's listed at a VERY generous 5'10". If he was 6'1" he would have started FBS. The Cats developed him into a good corner especially when it came to tackling but he's not going to to be 6 feet tall. MSU or G5 is probably the ceiling and it would have been better for him to stay put.

[Lord Vigo]

Maybe bigger offers will come in, but Powdrell leaving for G5 is so lame.

I didn't see where he had signed anywhere...

Like I said, maybe bigger offers will come in, but so far it’s exclusively G5 and if he ends up leaving to go to a program that the Cats would likely beat head to head, that’s just lame.

He's listed at a VERY generous 5'10". If he was 6'1" he would have started FBS. The Cats developed him into a good corner especially when it came to tackling but he's not going to to be 6 feet tall. MSU or G5 is probably the ceiling and it would have been better for him to stay put.

And at least in the case of guys like Humphrey and Moore they're leaving early but they gave the Cats some serious return on the investment and development that was given to them. I don't like that they're moving on at all, but it was definitely a boon to MSU that they were here at all.

Powdrell was just becoming a value add on the field and now he's gone. For me, that makes him the bitterest loss. If you're going to take the investment in you as a player and then bail for a payday, at least stick around long enough to give something back to the team that developed you before you go.

[coloradocat]

It feels like in the pre-free agency era we would have lost Conner, probably Scottre and possibly Dru. Rohan, Powdrell and JJ likely would have stayed because FBS teams didn't poach to the same degree and players didn't leave to the same degree. They have all earned spots on FBS teams but in the "old days" most of them would still be Bobcats. That's probably where a lot of the frustration comes from.

[msugr8]

Any chance for any of these young men to return to Bobcats? I realize nearly everyone’s first answer will be he11 no! But times they are a changing. Would be up to team and coach of course.

[AFCAT]

I wonder if the secondary as a group, was upset with having to play the soft zone. Seems to me that Is a no confidence call. Maybe that’s why they are hitting the portal.

But they didn't play that way all season, just at the 'ship. Seems odd they'd all jump after that game unless there were comments made during exit interviews, or something happening with the coaches that made leaving a better option. Sure is a head scratcher.

Vigen is an excellent coach, probably my favorite in recent times. One thing you can count in with him, once or twice a year is a game where you are left scratching your head. A few come to mind but the one that always stands out to me is the 2021 Weber game. He has shown growth, however, I am always apprehensive.

...we won that game?

Yeah, I think the offensive struggles in that game had more to do with who was playing QB that anything else. I think that game was the beginning of the end of McKay’s time at MSU.

I was being sarcastic but I agree with you. Weber was playing SOOO close to the line of scrimmage and a player like Tommy would've ate them up. I felt McKay got his groove back against EWU but then he laid a major egg against Idaho and UM...it was over.

I know you knew who won. I was just making an observation on why the offense sucked that day. I think McKay pulled the ball once and that was near the end of the game to get a first down to eventually run out the clock. He couldn’t or wouldn’t pull the ball when he absolutely should have.

I knew you knew that I knew you knew I was being sarcastic.

And you both knew that I knew that you’d know what I meant??…

[mslacatfan]

Any chance for any of these young men to return to Bobcats? I realize nearly everyone’s first answer will be he11 no! But times they are a changing. Would be up to team and coach of course.