Bobcat Portal News Only

[mslacatfan]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

[VimSince03]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

It's money and opportunity to play in the P4. But it's mostly money.

[AFCAT]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

It's money and opportunity to play in the P4. But it's mostly money.

I agree, it's mostly about money and the prestige of telling people that you played at the FBS level (at Cal, Baylor, Arkansas, etc.) It's not about winning, at least in most of these transfers.

[seataccat]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

Anything in the P4 is a huge step up from MSU. They will get way more exposure and NIL money. And yes, most people would rather live in California than Montana.

[BelligerentBobcat]

They were decent when Tedford was the HC and they had Aaron Rodgers at QB. Tedford was a QB guru in his day.

Didn't he also coach Jared Goff there?
I worked with Tedford when he was the OC under Sweeney....really good guy. Was disappointed when he went to Oregon. I bumped into him at a high school in Fresno trying to recruit a kid to Oregon. I gave him a lot of crap.

Yeah you’re right, I forgot they were there at the same time!

That’s awesome you worked with Tedford. Great football mind. What did you do with Fresno State?

[BelligerentBobcat]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

Cal is a big step up from MSU in so many ways, and it’s a chance to play in the ACC. Slightly more prestigious than the Big Sky Conference.

[MTCowpoke22]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

Much more exposure. You go from playing a Cheney, WA, Greeley, CO, and Pocatello, ID in front of a few thousand fans, to playing at Clemson, Miami, and Florida State. Even if Cal isn’t great, the ACC is a P4. The competition is better and there are so many more eyes on you.

[mslacatfan]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

Much more exposure. You go from playing a Cheney, WA, Greeley, CO, and Pocatello, ID in front of a few thousand fans, to playing at Clemson, Miami, and Florida State. Even if Cal isn’t great, the ACC is a P4. The competition is better and there are so many more eyes on you.

I get that…. But….

Do you have a better chance at the nfl being 1st team all American fcs, etc….

Or being an average player or even a backup at Cal…

Maybe the Cal option is still better? But I’m not so sure.

[MTmadeCat]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

Much more exposure. You go from playing a Cheney, WA, Greeley, CO, and Pocatello, ID in front of a few thousand fans, to playing at Clemson, Miami, and Florida State. Even if Cal isn’t great, the ACC is a P4. The competition is better and there are so many more eyes on you.

More exposure only if you get playing time…

[HelenaCat]

Well, every Bobcat that has gone there has started. I would think that the Cats vs Cal would be an even matchup many years if they played each other.

[TomCat88]

Everything is better at Cal except player development, the ability to make nfl (same) and the opportunity to play.

[TomCat88]

Well, every Bobcat that has gone there has started. I would think that the Cats vs Cal would be an even matchup many years if they played each other.

Have any made the NFL?

[MSU01]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

Much more exposure. You go from playing a Cheney, WA, Greeley, CO, and Pocatello, ID in front of a few thousand fans, to playing at Clemson, Miami, and Florida State. Even if Cal isn’t great, the ACC is a P4. The competition is better and there are so many more eyes on you.

I get that…. But….

Do you have a better chance at the nfl being 1st team all American fcs, etc….

Or being an average player or even a backup at Cal…

Maybe the Cal option is still better? But I’m not so sure.

If you're good enough, the NFL will find you no matter where you play. I doubt it's about that, but keep in mind that you or I as lifelong Bobcat fans will come at this with a different perspective than a player who didn't grow up dreaming to play for Montana State but came here as it was their best option at the time they were recruited. From a purely objective standpoint playing at Cal has many advantages over playing at MSU, although there are certainly areas in which MSU is better or the two programs are equal. Like it or hate it, players have the ability now to decide what's best for them for their own personal reasons. It won't be the same for every player so analyzing why we think players did or didn't transfer is a largely useless exercise.

[tetoncat]

If a player had offers from Cal and MSU coming out of HS they are going to Cal. If that same offer is available 2 or 3 years later why would they not still choose Cal.

[SparkCat]

Getting some news.

That’s awesome thanks for sharing.

It’s hilarious, you share the first positive portal news, yet lots of squabbling.

[SparkCat]

If a player had offers from Cal and MSU coming out of HS they are going to Cal. If that same offer is available 2 or 3 years later why would they not still choose Cal.

Posters on here don’t like it because Cali is bad and scary to them.

[BelligerentBobcat]

DP lands at Cal.

Is Cal really that big of a jump from MSU? Honest question? We have seen a bunch of players go there…. The program seems to be a 500 win % at best…

-I can’t imagine they are getting paid a ton of money there? But maybe they are?

-for players with NFL ambitions, is the exposure really that much better? I think you could make the argument that no, it’s not…. Maybe I’m wrong though.

-I can understand players/guys in their young 20’s that would rather be in California than MT…. Now personally I would rather get a severe case of hemorrhoid's than even visit California, let alone live there, especially vs living in Bozeman…. But I’m a MT guy so I probably have a different perspective, ha.

I can’t fault guys like Connor Moore, getting paid a ton of money to go to Michigan State….. but it’s hard for me to understand (or applaud) players going to Cal….. what am I missing?

Much more exposure. You go from playing a Cheney, WA, Greeley, CO, and Pocatello, ID in front of a few thousand fans, to playing at Clemson, Miami, and Florida State. Even if Cal isn’t great, the ACC is a P4. The competition is better and there are so many more eyes on you.

I get that…. But….

Do you have a better chance at the nfl being 1st team all American fcs, etc….

Or being an average player or even a backup at Cal…

Maybe the Cal option is still better? But I’m not so sure.

Polidore isn’t going to the NFL no matter where he plays.

[Lord Vigo]

My contention is that if Cal is going to be poaching many of our best players, they should try not being so pathetic.

I hope Polidore enjoys being another player who no one is aware of at an irrelevant program at a school that is far more passionate about communism than football.

That said, I’m fully prepared to forget about him and focus on the players who want to come to Bozeman.

[iaafan]

Vigen and staff know how to develop players. The lone portal players to come in for 2024 and make noise were Rohan Jones and Alec Eckert.

MSU showed no noticeable drop off when Jones was injured.

MSU has improved talent-wise every season since Vigen arrived. The end result may not reflect that but I think if you evaluate the rosters and look at how some of results came about you will see this clearly.

I’m not so sure about that. His versatility and speed down the seam made a difference in how teams defended us. I think like Snell, he made a big difference that didn’t always show up on the box score.

I would disagree as we still was hanging 30+ on everyone. There we were still highly productive without him. Yes he made things easier but the the combo of players and coaching scheme still showed us to put up a lot of points in his absence.

That’s my point. Rohan is a great TE/FB, but even without him MSU’s offense continued to play well. Would they have been better with him? Probably, but the bottom line is MSU continued to play excellent offensive football with him on the sideline. The same goes for the defense without Schmidt, Uluilakepa and Dowler. Would they have been better? Probably, but…still an excellent defense. The players who filled for them initially after their injuries all played well and all three were players taken out of HS. (Sharbono, Daily and Taki (later polidore)).

This is probably a minor distinction, but I don’t think “still played well” and “no drop off” are the same things in this situation. That’s more my point.

MSU still played well and saw no drop off in scoring, total offense or yards per play with Jones on the sidelines. This leads into the fact that MSU isn’t a paper mache team that is drastically weakened whenever a starter gets knocked out of a game or for the season. This was true for every player lost either for a few plays or the season.

That hasn’t always been the case at MSU. I don’t recall any teams that absorbed significant injuries as seamlessly as they did this year. The reason they were able to do that is their player development program isn’t just better, but it’s superior to almost every program and as good as the best with none being better.

All that said, I would think fans would be more focused on that than bringing in, or losing, players from the transfer portal.

Transfers rarely make a huge impact and those that do have players behind them that are very close to their ability thanks to MSU having possibly the best development program in the country.

I do think MSU will miss Mellott but I don’t think the offense is going to be drastically worse. It’ll still be one of the top five offenses in the nation. I also think the defense will be better next season.

And hell, who knows, if the passing game starts to really click with whoever is the new QB, well that could be really scary for other teams. The Tommy void will not be filled, sucks to lose a player that alone could turn the tide of a game. However, going forward, Tommy won’t be the one to win it all or even be the last to get us to the championship game. Will the next be a better athlete, probably not, but a more complete QB would do this program wonders.

MSU will get players for areas of need. They might need depth at a few spots. I think the coaches are confident in their process. It takes three years to get that in place and the 2024 team was the first to have players that had gone through three years in the program. Let that sink in.

[SparkCat]

My contention is that if Cal is going to be poaching many of our best players, they should try not being so pathetic.

I hope Polidore enjoys being another player who no one is aware of at an irrelevant program at a school that is far more passionate about communism than football.

That said, I’m fully prepared to forget about him and focus on the players who want to come to Bozeman.