IUFB 2024/25 Portalstravaganza

[RaceToTheTop 26,440]

19 minutes ago, RaceToTheTop said:

We also picked up a tight end from Wisconsin.

Also a running back from Maryland.  So that's four in conference acquisitions.

[cthomas 6,522]

We need to start thinking like we are top 5 in the conference. That's what I see as our floor going forward.

[JSHoosier 20,526]

16 minutes ago, Crimson and Cream said:

Jackson and Morris add some much needed speed to this WR room. I'd imagine they're done at WR now, looks like they're still wanting to add a pass catching TE. Did Jack Endries (Cal) ever enter the portal?

I don't think Endries has entered the portal.

A pass catching TE and based on the names that have popped up some help in the defensive secondary.

[Magisterium 395]

1 hour ago, JSHoosier said:

I don't think Endries has entered the portal.

A pass catching TE and based on the names that have popped up some help in the defensive secondary.

fwiw a TE that Grant Wilson likely played with at ODU is evidently in the portal now:

Quan Dunbar (actually a former WR iirc, so presumably has pass-catching skills)

[go iu bb 6,663]

12 minutes ago, Magisterium said:

fwiw a TE that Grant Wilson likely played with at ODU is evidently in the portal now:

Quan Dunbar (actually a former WR iirc, so presumably has pass-catching skills)

Looks like he was a 3* recruit out of HS but didn't play a single game in 2 years at ODU.

[Magisterium 395]

3 minutes ago, go iu bb said:

Looks like he was a 3* recruit out of HS but didn't play a single game in 2 years at ODU.

Also looks like he changed positions due to growth and weight gain but he may have struggled with the transition 

it might be that the guys the staff are most interested in are Green and Staes

[RaceToTheTop 26,440]

One stop shop for the portal additions:

Last name	First name	Previous school	position	stats
Mendoza	Fernando	California	QB	3,004 yards passing, 69% completion, 16 TD/6 INT in 2024. Career: 4,712 yards passing, 67% completion, 30 TD/16 INT
Wilson	Grant	Old Dominion/Fordham	QB	56% passing, 507 yards, 4 TD/3 INT in 2024. Career: 57% completion, 2.749 yards, 23 TD/11 INT
Hemby	Roman	Maryland	HB	607 yards rushing, 273 yards receiving, 7 TDs in 2024. Career totals: 2,347 yards rushing, 921 yards receiving, 27 TDs.
Beebe Jr.	Lee	UAB	HB	885 yards, 30 catches for 219 yards receiving, 8 total TDs in 2024. Career 1,277 yards rushing, 44 catches for 317 yards receiving, 12 total TDs
Morris	Tyler	Michigan	WR	23 catches for 248 yards and 2 TD in 2024. Career: 39 catches for 470 yards and 3 TDs.
Jackson	Makai	Appalachian State / St Francis	WR	46 catches for 745 yards and 5 TDs; 5 rushes for 90 yards and 1 TD in 2024. Career: 158 catches for 2,154 yards and 15 TDs, 18 rushes for 134 yards and 1 TD.
Nowakowski	Riley	Wisconsin	TE	11 catches for 74 yards in 2024; 18 catches for 131 yards and 1 TD in career
Michalski	Zen	Ohio State	T	1 start, 34 total games
Benson	Khalil	Colorado/Indiana	T/G	4 starts last year, 21 career starts
Ratcliff	Dominique	Texas St/Louisiana	DT	22 tackles, 2 sacks in 2024. Career 67 tackles, 5 sacks.
Wheeler	Hosea	Western Kentucky	DT	65 tackles, 2 sacks in 2024. Career 108 tackles, 4 sacks.
Knighten	Amariyun	Northern Illinois	CB	13 tackles, 1 interception in 2024. Career 46 tackles, 1 interception.
Moore	Louis	Ole Miss/Indiana	S	37 tackles last season, 129 career tackles, 3 int, 1.5 sacks
McCarthy	Mitch	Central Florida	P	44.1 yards per punt in 2024. Career average of 43.0 yards/punt
Franke	Brandan	Texas St/Nebraska	K	Kickoff specialist
Lindsey	Sam	Georgia St	LS

[Home Jersey 8,785]

How many more spots open do we think we have? Maybe add another OG/C, DL, S?

[MemphisHoosier 2,272]

11 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

How many more spots open do we think we have? Maybe add another OG/C, DL, S?

I have CCC with 2-5 scholarships remaining before he hits 85, biggest variable being the potential returns of Kidwell, Langston, and Cooper Jones.  

Spitballing here, but I believe the staff will look to add at TE, DE/DL, LB, and 2x DB. Further addition to OL or Return Specialist wouldn't surprise me either.

[Home Jersey 8,785]

3 minutes ago, MemphisHoosier said:

I have CCC with 2-5 scholarships remaining before he hits 85, biggest variable being the potential returns of Kidwell, Langston, and Cooper Jones.  

Spitballing here, but I believe the staff will look to add at TE, DE/DL, LB, and 2x DB. Further addition to OL or Return Specialist wouldn't surprise me either.

Appreciate the insight. The staff is absolutely crushing the portal. Our program is red hot right now. I’m more optimistic about next year than many here I think

[8bucks 6,557]

Are we talking ourselves into thinking this portal class is great?  Could be way off but it seems last years was better on paper and ended up being very good. Is this class for 2025 considered better and if so why?

[Brass Cannon 24,936]

18 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

Are we talking ourselves into thinking this portal class is great?  Could be way off but it seems last years was better on paper and ended up being very good. Is this class for 2025 considered better and if so why?

Fewer holes means fewer needs

[go iu bb 6,663]

40 minutes ago, MemphisHoosier said:

I have CCC with 2-5 scholarships remaining before he hits 85, biggest variable being the potential returns of Kidwell, Langston, and Cooper Jones.  

Spitballing here, but I believe the staff will look to add at TE, DE/DL, LB, and 2x DB. Further addition to OL or Return Specialist wouldn't surprise me either.

I think next year is the first year with 105 roster spots and 105 scholarships.

[cthomas 6,522]

29 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

Are we talking ourselves into thinking this portal class is great?  Could be way off but it seems last years was better on paper and ended up being very good. Is this class for 2025 considered better and if so why?

I think last year we were in a world of hurt. The JMU guys who came over facilitated the culture change and made us competitive. We are bringing back a great core of players and we only need to build on our base. We have great players in the skill positions and we are adding depth. I see only good things ahead.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,428]

45 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

Are we talking ourselves into thinking this portal class is great?  Could be way off but it seems last years was better on paper and ended up being very good. Is this class for 2025 considered better and if so why?

If you believe in rankings, this season is ranked 18th currently in overall portal haul. Last season we were 28th. 

I believe this season's ranking is before our latest 4 commitments, obviously others have added people, as well. 

[lillurk 3,835]

4 hours ago, MemphisHoosier said:

WR Tyler Morris to Indiana - BOOM!

Very detailed commitment coverage, quoting lots of HS scouting reports: https://mgoblog.com/content/hello-tyler-morris

A follow-up, right before his first season: https://mgoblog.com/content/2022-recruiting-tyler-morris

Seems like a great representative of his team, and his teammates seem to like him: https://mgoblog.com/content/fall-football-bits-doesn't-know-if-qb-competition-decided

was supposed to be M’s breakout WR star this year but their passing game was embarrassing: https://mgoblog.com/content/preview-2024-wide-receiver

Was a consensus top 100 recruit who’s gonna absolutely make himself some $ in the slot at IU. Great route runner, very quick, too speed is great (see the Rose Bowl TD), easy to find great quotes about his hands.

[RaceToTheTop 26,440]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but someone to watch out for:  Washington's CB Jordan Shaw has entered the portal.  37 tackles and 6 passes defended last year.  Transferred to Washington from INDIANA.  Was limited to three games due to injury with IU but registered 12 tackles in those three games.

[Dhop 412]

Pretty psyched on the incoming guys so far.  But still some concern on OL.  Any takes on where we are today, gaps, portal options?

 

 

[RaceToTheTop 26,440]

17 minutes ago, Dhop said:

Pretty psyched on the incoming guys so far.  But still some concern on OL.  Any takes on where we are today, gaps, portal options?

 

 

We definitely picked up a lot of offensive skill positions in the portal.  Defensively have only picked up two DTs (but pretty good ones) and two defensive backs.

In terms of incoming freshman, it will be interesting to see if Byron Baldwin is ready to step in and start immediately -- safety, and he is the fourth highest ranked recruit IU has had in the past 25 years.

[DChoosier 8,788]

We have done a great job filling a number of needs but man I would love to see one or two “clear and obvious upgrades” on the OL.