IUFB Recruiting and Transfer Portal Updates

[Golfman25]

I think we need to be careful going after every shiny object QB in the portal.  The young studs will want to be able to trust the program if they commit out of HS. Cig can be selective.  

I mean if you're Albeto, you might have a WTF moment.  He got you big Bro, which led to Heisman, which leads to Cignetti the QB whisperer, which leads to QBs knocking on the door.  I hope at worst he's looking at a second development year and given the keys his JR year.  :)   

[Hovadipo]

1 hour ago, cbp4iu said:

 

Strange release but really good player. Would love to see what more Cig, Shanny, and Whitmer could get out of him. 

[tyappleg]

1 hour ago, Golfman25 said:

I think we need to be careful going after every shiny object QB in the portal.  The young studs will want to be able to trust the program if they commit out of HS. Cig can be selective.  

I mean if you're Albeto, you might have a WTF moment.  He got you big Bro, which led to Heisman, which leads to Cignetti the QB whisperer, which leads to QBs knocking on the door.  I hope at worst he's looking at a second development year and given the keys his JR year.  :)   

My guess is they absolutely intended to have Fernando for 2 years, expecting him to then hand it off to Alberto his junior year (assuming Alberto continued developing).

Fernando ended up ahead of schedule and is almost locked to be #1 QB drafted so they are caught in an awkward situation where they dont think Alberto is quite ready as a sophomore so they need to find somebody for next year. 

[RoadRage]

4 hours ago, OliviaPope40 said:

If he is denied, he may kill us all!

[Golfman25]

51 minutes ago, tyappleg said:

My guess is they absolutely intended to have Fernando for 2 years, expecting him to then hand it off to Alberto his junior year (assuming Alberto continued developing).

Fernando ended up ahead of schedule and is almost locked to be #1 QB drafted so they are caught in an awkward situation where they dont think Alberto is quite ready as a sophomore so they need to find somebody for next year. 

I think that is fair.  Right now, every QB with a dream is going to want to play for Cig.  :) 

[Napleshoosier]

I trust in Cig and the team!  No ****!  Hands up. 100% trust.

[maharkn]

8 hours ago, tyappleg said:

My guess is they absolutely intended to have Fernando for 2 years, expecting him to then hand it off to Alberto his junior year (assuming Alberto continued developing).

Fernando ended up ahead of schedule and is almost locked to be #1 QB drafted so they are caught in an awkward situation where they dont think Alberto is quite ready as a sophomore so they need to find somebody for next year. 

I'm sure there is a number that could keep Fernando around another year. Jets would be a bad place for him to end up

[Stuhoo]

1 hour ago, maharkn said:

I'm sure there is a number that could keep Fernando around another year. Jets would be a bad place for him to end up

Sure is!

Let's assume that the number is approximately what Cam Ward, last year's first quarterback selected, received:

Cam Ward, the #1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, signed a 4-year, $48.75 million rookie contract with the Tennessee Titans, fully guaranteed, including a substantial $32.1 million signing bonus.

[Demo]

10 hours ago, Hovadipo said:

Strange release but really good player. Would love to see what more Cig, Shanny, and Whitmer could get out of him. 

Using the always dubious scouting of the stat line, am I correct in assuming he’s a bit of a gunslinger? He threw more picks in 400 attempts last year than Mendoza threw in the last 2 years in 700. But he also threw 29 scores, So I assume he’s really trying to make plays? 

[Stuhoo]

1 minute ago, Demo said:

Using the always dubious scouting of the stat line, am I correct in assuming he’s a bit of a gunslinger? He threw more picks in 400 attempts last year than Mendoza threw in the last 2 years in 700. But he also threw 29 scores, So I assume he’s really trying to make plays? 

As you inferred, game conditions can create stats that lead to that conclusion. 

The lack of a dominant defense can neccessitate playing more open and from behind, and the lack of a dominant running game can equate to longer down and distances.

[jermhoosierfan]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

Sure is!

Let's assume that the number is approximately what Cam Ward, last year's first quarterback selected, received:

Cam Ward, the #1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, signed a 4-year, $48.75 million rookie contract with the Tennessee Titans, fully guaranteed, including a substantial $32.1 million signing bonus.

A guy would have to be nuts to not go to the next level with a fully guaranteed $50 mill in your pocket over 4 years with a 5th year option.  With his finance degree in hand, he should be able to turn that into quite a bit more also.  He can really add more to the foundation for MS research by going sooner also.  It's a no brainer to go.

[Demo]

55 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

As you inferred, game conditions can create stats that lead to that conclusion. 

The lack of a dominant defense can neccessitate playing more open and from behind, and the lack of a dominant running game can equate to longer down and distances.

At this point, Cig has more collateral than maybe any coach, ever. He could bring in this dude to play QB and I’m just gonna say ok, brilliant move Cig.

[Pagoda]

14 minutes ago, Demo said:

At this point, Cig has more collateral than maybe any coach, ever. He could bring in this dude to play QB and I’m just gonna say ok, brilliant move Cig.

Exactly.  It's great.  With basketball, the players can more easily be scouted and our fans are suspicious of what IUBB does.  But with IUFB, I just assume with every commit we did it again and nailed it and got our guy.  If they're highly rated that's awesome, and if they're not highly rated we got anther diamond in the rough. 

It's a blast.

[Lebowski]

If the staff decides to pursue a QB in the transfer portal I have no doubt the QB that ends up on campus will elevate his resume. 

The only QB on this list that did not transfer in is Cole Johnson. So that suggest we might be looking to continue the trend of getting a transfer, again. As noted, personally, I am of the thought we're good at the position and if a transfer comes in it'll be to add depth and competition only. Who knows.

[Lebowski]

Looks like Santana Hopper might be available again. He signed with Tulane but BIPSList has him on his list.


 

[Demo]

17 minutes ago, Lebowski said:

If the staff decides to pursue a QB in the transfer portal I have no doubt the QB that ends up on campus will elevate his resume. 

The only QB on this list that did not transfer in is Cole Johnson. So that suggest we might be looking to continue the trend of getting a transfer, again. As noted, personally, I am of the thought we're good at the position and if a transfer comes in it'll be to add depth and competition only. Who knows.

Is Cherry expected to be on the roster this year or does his playing career look done?

[DChoosier]

13 hours ago, Golfman25 said:

I think we need to be careful going after every shiny object QB in the portal.  The young studs will want to be able to trust the program if they commit out of HS. Cig can be selective.  

I mean if you're Albeto, you might have a WTF moment.  He got you big Bro, which led to Heisman, which leads to Cignetti the QB whisperer, which leads to QBs knocking on the door.  I hope at worst he's looking at a second development year and given the keys his JR year.  :)   

Although Alberto hasn’t played a lot the staff sees him every day and I’m sure they already know whether or not they are comfortable handing him the keys next year.  If they think he is the guy…GREAT. Otherwise Cig will undoubtedly bring in a sought after QB as competition (which is what I think will happen).

I agree with you that Alberto will probably have a WTF moment but the last thing the staff should do is worry about making a move because of what his brother has done for us. It’s impossible to overstate what Fernando has meant to the program but when it comes to next seasons QB the staff should proceed as if Alberto’s last name is Jones.  It would be really cool if he has the talent to be “the man” but the process shouldn’t be tilted because of who his brother is.

[Lebowski]

15 minutes ago, Demo said:

Is Cherry expected to be on the roster this year or does his playing career look done?

As far as I know, I think he'll be back. I haven't heard anything otherwise. Of course that could change in a heartbeat. The transfer portal is what it is. 

[Hovadipo]

2 hours ago, Demo said:

Using the always dubious scouting of the stat line, am I correct in assuming he’s a bit of a gunslinger? He threw more picks in 400 attempts last year than Mendoza threw in the last 2 years in 700. But he also threw 29 scores, So I assume he’s really trying to make plays? 

I didn’t watch much TCU this year, but I did read somewhere along the way that their system is a bit of chuck it and f*** it style. I don’t know if that helps his case any, but it explains it a bit. 

I also saw (from Taylor Lehman) that he wasn’t far behind Fernando in passing rate out of RPO this season, so he’s at least somewhat familiar with our RPO-heavy style. 

[Lebowski]

Can someone explain the transfer rules now? Isn't the window shorter now? Wondering if the CFP champion and runner-up will be able to get in the game of the portal?