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Post by cbyland on Dec 7, 2023 13:49:47 GMT -5
On one side, tip your cap to Dez, wish him well, and understand this is a big opportunity for him. There are some FL schools on that list, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him head farther South vs going North. As for what it does to our team, we are kidding ourselves if we say this isn’t a huge impact. We have some really talented guys in the RB room including a couple of FR who just redshirted that I think can be good. We also saw times where Adams looked like you could just plug him in and not miss a beat (after Reid went out at EKU and UTC). But as Bell mentioned numerous times, Dez is a different kind of Cat - an FBS-level player that slipped to us because of his size. This is exactly how things work now. Borderline 3 star recruits will go to smaller schools, prove they are good, and get swooped up by bigger schools. NIL or not this has always happened. What we really need is to have more depth in our O-line. None of our backs looked nearly as good the last half of the season, and that had more to do with being down 2 and even 3 starters on the line than it did with who was playing RB. We probably won’t have the same home run hitter that can also turn 2 yard gains into 7, but have a deeper and healthier line and we can run the ball. We also have the returning Offensive POTY and a ton of good WRs. So get the line right and we will be ok. Best of luck #1 and thanks for some awesome runs these past 2 years. Adam’s never had a chance once Reid got hurt to run behind the 1st string offensive line. If you remember at the beginning of the year, Adam’s looked just about as good as Reid when he did run behind the first string offensive line. Next man up. Reid is a good player but he is not Emmet Smith. We will do fine without him and honestly if a player wants to transfer for whatever reason, we don’t need him. I am sure he is a fine young man. I personally will not worry about it and the sun will come up tomorrow no matter what Dez Reid does. I am shocked to hear Reid is in the portal as I thought he wanted to build something at WCU. But Adams is can be the next man up and also dont forget their is another Reid, Camurry Reid we have that with a few more reps can be as dangerous as Dez and Adams. To me Camurry has that same potential and I believe was the difference maker in the Wofford game.
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Post by FLCATAMOUNT on Dec 7, 2023 14:09:02 GMT -5
Keaton has an offer from UNC Charlotte. IMO not a step up.
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Post by wcugrad95 on Dec 7, 2023 15:20:52 GMT -5
You have to remember for a college kid (and their "crew") an FBS offer is going to be considered a step up from FCS. It can be argued a thousand ways, but I try to put myself in their shoes. When I was a high school senior, an offer from say ECU (back then) or Charlotte (now) would have been considered "bigger" than an offer from WCU or Campbell or the like. For the average person, I have to spend lots of time even explaining what FCS football is - they immediately consider it D2 or at least a significant step down from FBS.
In the grand scheme of things, would playing at Charlotte vs WCU mean much long-term? Probably not. Stats and measurables for the player will mean more given there wouldn't be tons more visibility. An NFL shot is long odds from either place. But to the player I'd imagine it "feels" like any FBS move is a step up. Just like it has been forever for coaches.
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Post by cbyland on Dec 7, 2023 15:31:31 GMT -5
Keaton has an offer from UNC Charlotte. IMO not a step up. UNCCs coach, Biff Poggi who is super rich himself has gotten big donors to donate to NIL. Keaton was probably offered some decent money to transfer to.
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Post by cbyland on Dec 7, 2023 15:36:49 GMT -5
Also, the transfer portal has caused this mess but I think Bell is exoerienced ebough that he two can use it to his advantage many good and decent FBS players are in the portal from P5s and G5s, some with potential without any playing time, some have shown their effectiveness but that are somehow not happy with their situation and willing to go FCS that may shine at WCU.
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Post by jackdaniels03 on Dec 7, 2023 16:27:40 GMT -5
Not looking good folks. Something must be going on, or someone is telling these players to leave.
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Post by catamountalum04 on Dec 7, 2023 16:32:06 GMT -5
i think this shows Kade might be on his way out
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Post by catamountalum04 on Dec 7, 2023 16:33:06 GMT -5
it will be a miracle if this team competes for a SoCon title next year
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Post by catamountfanatic07 on Dec 7, 2023 16:34:15 GMT -5
Guys you might as well stay off twitter and the board if you are going to be that worried about everything that happens in the portal. You are going to continually be disappointed, and so is everyone else at every other school watching the portal
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Post by FLCATAMOUNT on Dec 7, 2023 16:41:34 GMT -5
Not looking good folks. Something must be going on, or someone is telling these players to leave. I don’t think anything is going on except these kids are being recruited by larger schools that can pay them NIL money. Also, they see that Reid and others are getting offers. It has nothing to do with Western and everything to do with $$$. in my opinion, once a kid declares for the portal, we should immediately cancel their scholarship and not allow them to come back even if they do not get an offer from another school. I think Coach Bell and Alex are smart enough to handle it that way. If they don't, then these kids will jerk Western around and additional players will go into the portal because they will have no consequences to their actions. If they know they can come back, what incentive do they have to stay and what stops them from doing the same thing next year. Also, we need to move on and find replacements for the defections. I mean these kids are grown and making grown up decisions so they need to have grown up consequences. I would not take any of these guys back now if they asked to come back.
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