IUFB 2024/25 Portalstravaganza

[DChoosier]

16 minutes ago, Golfman25 said:

 If he can convince the young kids to stick around and develop them, could be a solid position for several years.  2 years with mendoza, Followed by two years with one of the young kids.  Rinse and repeat.  

Cig seems really focused on QB’s with experience and proven production. I doubt we will rinse and repeat with young QB’s unless one of them turns out to be extraordinary. 

[DChoosier]

1 hour ago, MemphisHoosier said:

Important to note, CCC has about 80* '25 scholarships spoken for leaving him 5 remaining to add to the OL, Safety, DL/Edge, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him add another QB and TE to the squad.  Net net, I expect some hard conversations to manifest in the coming days to offer the staff additional flexibility.

*Assuming Kidwell and Langston return which is still TBD.

Yes to hard conversations.

Would also expect a little bit of roster flipping after spring ball as some guys will realize they are buried on the bench and the coaches will have positions in mind that need to be upgraded.  

Really wish there was a talented P4 OL, or 2, we could land. Is there?

[MemphisHoosier]

5 minutes ago, DChoosier said:

Yes to hard conversations.

Would also expect a little bit of roster flipping after spring ball as some guys will realize they are buried on the bench and the coaches will have positions in mind that need to be upgraded.  

Really wish there was a talented P4 OL, or 2, we could land. Is there?

100% Agree.  There are few names who have been around for a bit in the TE, DL/DE, and LB rooms that didn't see much time on the field this fall that I'm surprised we haven't heard more from.  

[JSHoosier]

17 minutes ago, DChoosier said:

Yes to hard conversations.

Would also expect a little bit of roster flipping after spring ball as some guys will realize they are buried on the bench and the coaches will have positions in mind that need to be upgraded.  

Really wish there was a talented P4 OL, or 2, we could land. Is there?

Zen Michalski of OSU is in the portal. As is Andrew Gentry of UM, but I read somewhere he's expected to go to BYU.

[Alford Bailey]

This program is on another level now. Jackson transferring would have been a hot topic a year ago but we are way past his talent now. Competing with the big dogs now at the QB spot.

[WhiteyMcSpeed]

2 hours ago, Home Jersey said:

Zander Diamont is campaigning pretty hard on Twitter to have his “brother” (unsure if actually related) get recruited by IU. Anton Ambuehl, 6’6 300 lb Junior OG with 22 career starts at UNLV. 

We need an OT or center, I think we are set at guard. 

[RaceToTheTop]

1 hour ago, Napleshoosier said:

You guys thinking TJ follows Tino to UCLA?

Could be.  Started graduated and the player in house who would have taken the job has entered the portal.  They signed two QB recruits but the top one is ranked 31st among QB recruits and they haven't signed any in the portal.

[Stuhoo]

1 minute ago, RaceToTheTop said:

Could be.  Started graduated and the player in house who would have taken the job has entered the portal.  They signed two QB recruits but the top one is ranked 31st among QB recruits and they haven't signed any in the portal.

Would make UCLA at IU next fall interesting as heck.

[Golfman25]

1 hour ago, DChoosier said:

Cig seems really focused on QB’s with experience and proven production. I doubt we will rinse and repeat with young QB’s unless one of them turns out to be extraordinary. 

Those are just the cards he's been dealt.  He has said for portal transfers, he looks at production vs. potential.  But everything can't be portal, every year.  He's going to have to recruit and develop young guys sooner or later -- he's got those guys in waiting.   However, I don't see him starting a freshman at QB ever -- so they are going to have to put the time in to convince him they are ready.  

[Demo]

1 hour ago, Napleshoosier said:

You guys thinking TJ follows Tino to UCLA?

Might make some sense from Tayven’s perspective, but I would think from UCLA’s side if their best QB candidate turns out to be the guy who was never getting the job here that would be a disappointment. 

[RaceToTheTop]

DJ Wingfield, starting right guard for Purdue, enters the portal.  Originally planned on going into the NFL draft.  That said, I believe he is entering with the hope that the JUCO years not counting goes through as he would be out of eligibility unless it does.

[Rico]

15 minutes ago, RaceToTheTop said:

DJ Wingfield, starting right guard for Purdue, enters the portal.  Originally planned on going into the NFL draft.  That said, I believe he is entering with the hope that the JUCO years not counting goes through as he would be out of eligibility unless it does.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2024/12/23/diego-pavia-ncaa-lawsuit-vanderbilt-football-juco-court-ruling/77107664007/

[go iu bb]

31 minutes ago, RaceToTheTop said:

DJ Wingfield, starting right guard for Purdue, enters the portal.  Originally planned on going into the NFL draft.  That said, I believe he is entering with the hope that the JUCO years not counting goes through as he would be out of eligibility unless it does.

Is he any good though? Planning on entering the draft would indicate that he could be but there are plenty of players who are delusional about how good they are. As a team PU sucked, so.....

[OKHOOSIER]

1 hour ago, Golfman25 said:

Those are just the cards he's been dealt.  He has said for portal transfers, he looks at production vs. potential.  But everything can't be portal, every year.  He's going to have to recruit and develop young guys sooner or later -- he's got those guys in waiting.   However, I don't see him starting a freshman at QB ever -- so they are going to have to put the time in to convince him they are ready.  

I’ll be interested to see how he recruits high school with a full cycle to play with which should really be the ‘26 class. ‘24 was a wash and just keeping who we had, which obviously has an effect on ‘25 + new coach unknowns. We are not an unknown anymore and neither is Cignetti, so ‘26 on is where I think we start to see gains in high school beyond what we are used to. I will say I wouldn’t be surprised to see QB continue to be a portal focus year over year, but I think that market is going to become much more competitive. Guys like Rourke have shown that being productive at a lower level can translate in a big way. 

[go iu bb]

1 minute ago, OKHOOSIER said:

I’ll be interested to see how he recruits high school with a full cycle to play with which should really be the ‘26 class. ‘24 was a wash and just keeping who we had, which obviously has an effect on ‘25 + new coach unknowns. We are not an unknown anymore and neither is Cignetti, so ‘26 on is where I think we start to see gains in high school beyond what we are used to. I will say I wouldn’t be surprised to see QB continue to be a portal focus year over year, but I think that market is going to become much more competitive. Guys like Rourke have shown that being productive at a lower level can translate in a big way. 

I don't know about continuing to get QBs from the portal. They might but we did pick up Tyler Cherry last year. 4*, #18 QB in the class. 6-5, 215 lbs coming out of HS. So highly ranked and has a good size. After the elder Mendoza is gone, Cherry will have been with IU for 3 seasons (assuming Cherry doesn't transfer and Mendoza uses all of his eligibility). Here's the scouting report on him as a HS recruit:

A pro-style passer with an ideal frame hovering around 6-foot-5, 205 pounds. Possesses significant long-term developmental upside due to his physical tools, highlighted by some of the best arm strength in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Utilizes his strong arm talent most effectively on third-level throws off of play action where he has the time to deliver passes on a rope or with touch over the top. Made positive strides as a senior in his second year as a starter in the intermediate passing game, becoming much more consistent with his timing and ball placement. Also improved as a senior in trusting his footwork to avoid unnecessary off-platform throws, but does have the arm talent to make throws from an unstable base when truly required. Will need to move through his progressions quicker and become a more decisive passer in college. Does not consistently threaten the defense with his legs but is athletic enough to occasionally escape the pocket to pick up first downs on the ground or extend plays long enough to launch throws downfield. Likely will need some time before he's ready to contribute at the Power Five level, but projects as a high-level game manager with serious NFL tools.

[prodigal hoosier]

I heard that Mendoza was asking at least $1.8M for his services. Anyone in the know confirm or deny?

[OKHOOSIER]

3 minutes ago, go iu bb said:

I don't know about continuing to get QBs from the portal. They might but we did pick up Tyler Cherry last year. 4*, #18 QB in the class. 6-5, 215 lbs coming out of HS. So highly ranked and has a good size. After the elder Mendoza is gone, Cherry will have been with IU for 3 seasons (assuming Cherry doesn't transfer and Mendoza uses all of his eligibility). Here's the scouting report on him as a HS recruit:

A pro-style passer with an ideal frame hovering around 6-foot-5, 205 pounds. Possesses significant long-term developmental upside due to his physical tools, highlighted by some of the best arm strength in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Utilizes his strong arm talent most effectively on third-level throws off of play action where he has the time to deliver passes on a rope or with touch over the top. Made positive strides as a senior in his second year as a starter in the intermediate passing game, becoming much more consistent with his timing and ball placement. Also improved as a senior in trusting his footwork to avoid unnecessary off-platform throws, but does have the arm talent to make throws from an unstable base when truly required. Will need to move through his progressions quicker and become a more decisive passer in college. Does not consistently threaten the defense with his legs but is athletic enough to occasionally escape the pocket to pick up first downs on the ground or extend plays long enough to launch throws downfield. Likely will need some time before he's ready to contribute at the Power Five level, but projects as a high-level game manager with serious NFL tools.

Not disagreeing with you, but Transfer Mendoza probably stays both years he has left, which IMO means Cherry is gone next year unless Mendoza plays himself into a for sure draft pick. NIL has changed the market on QBs in particular with respect to the NFL and guaranteed money. If you’re probably going to be an UDFA anyways, and your value is super high at the P4 level, there’s almost no reason to leave early. All depends on draft grades obviously and I certainly hope Mendoza plays himself into the position to leave. I just wouldn’t bank on that in the way teams could (keeping Cherry for 26) before NIL. 

[OKHOOSIER]

5 minutes ago, prodigal hoosier said:

I heard that Mendoza was asking at least $1.8M for his services. Anyone in the know confirm or deny?

Cal forum insiders were saying he turned down 1mm from them, and I read a few things talking about 2 from us, so that’s probably close. I’d be curious about what UGA offered. Cal people are pretty pissed at the kid for saying he was “always a bear” at some Call event on December 10 then entering the portal on December 11. So who knows, but he was wanted by a few huge programs, so no way we got him cheap. 

[JerryYeagley23]

45 minutes ago, prodigal hoosier said:

I heard that Mendoza was asking at least $1.8M for his services. Anyone in the know confirm or deny?

Asking. Receiving - less. 

[Brass Cannon]

4 minutes ago, JerryYeagley23 said:

Asking. Receiving - less. 

If he gets us back to the CFP he will get it the year after