Portal - Potential Incoming players?



Why would you be a hard pass on Benhart? Seems very strange for someone who cheers for the Gophers to not want a kid like that....
For as much as I wanted Benhart to come hear out of HS, I want nothing to do with him now. It would’ve been okay if he just chose Nebraska. That’s fine. But to trash talk our program before the matchup, screw that douche canoe.

Oh and he was absolutely horrible this year.

Now if Mahlman or Carroll want to come back I’m more than fine with that.
 

Would not mind Mr. Carroll. But have no idea if we would wnat to play closer to home.
The hard truth is, is he good at the college level compared to his peers? Maybe Callahan can rehabilitate his career.

As far as Bryce Benhart "What yer doing down there" (nicknamed by Jon Johnston of Corn Nation) is concerned, he didn't exactly have kind words for PJ Fleck and RTB culture. He was thrust into service without much coaching or development. Maybe with a new Nebraska coaching staff, he has a chance at redemption. Likewise, he has the same chance at Minnesota with Callahan.

Will PJ Fleck take him if he entered the portal?

Sam Schlueter got much maligned in 2018. But, he sucked it all up and went to work to better himself.
 

For as much as I wanted Benhart to come hear out of HS, I want nothing to do with him now. It would’ve been okay if he just chose Nebraska. That’s fine. But to trash talk our program before the matchup, screw that douche canoe.

Oh and he was absolutely horrible this year.

Now if Mahlman or Carroll want to come back I’m more than fine with that.

I thought it was Falck who did all the talking and not Benhart in that article. He didn't look good against the Gophers and in other games I watched this year....meaning he was noticeable on some plays where he was bad. I felt that since he would have three years left I wouldn't mind him coming back if he could help us.
 


I was reluctant to pass it on because it's almost Doogie-esque in terms of a "scoop". So this isn't a scoop, just thought I'd pass this on to anyone who might be interested. If you think it's BS, feel free to tell me so :).

One of my good friends is a HS football coach in MN and coaches a couple kids that could be PWO types. According to him, the Gophers are pretty open about hitting the transfer portal market hard every year and the coaches have said "we look to sign about 8 guys".

The reason it got brought up is because of something I never really considered. The transfer portal increases competition and therefore it increases the number of people who transfer out throughout the year. Because of that movement, there is an increased number of scholarships available for walk-ons (likely only for the year). It kind of creates chaos and when the dust settles, it's not uncommon that you might have more people leave than people arrive. The numbers just fluctuate more.

The interesting bit to me was that (according to him), the Gophers look to sign ~8 guys from the portal every year.
 

Yeah, I agree. I actually think the transfer portal will work to spread the wealth. The years of Ohio State's second stringers being the 4th best team in the Big 10 are over. Those kids are leaving.

But we'll see how it all shakes out.
I agree and think the portal works totally to the favor of schools at exactly MN’s current level…good enough that their best players are not looking for bigger/better but not so good that backup 4*’s at helmet schools or experienced standouts at smaller ones can’t help immediately at positions of need.
 

What it means is, you don't really need a full roster of 85 guys per year, anymore.

Especially when you can just "Michigan State" the portal, and go from 2 wins to 10 wins in a single year.


Yeah you might talk a good game about wanting to develop high school players ..... but why should you, if you don't need to?

You can let lower G5 and FCS schools do the developing, then get them as transfers with 2-3 years left.
 

Would love to see them bump down the roster size to 65.

You could do a thing like active roster of 65, and then a developmental roster for the last 20 spots. Guys who once you declare them as developmental after fall camp, they can't go on the active roster that season.
 




Would love to see them bump down the roster size to 65.

You could do a thing like active roster of 65, and then a developmental roster for the last 20 spots. Guys who once you declare them as developmental after fall camp, they can't go on the active roster that season.
You likely wouldn’t have a 5th RB on a 65 or 75 player roster. Like not more than 3 QB’s etc etc. Tougher to deal with injuries and transfers.

Things need to normalize a bit post COVID-19 extra year and then react.
 





I said in another thread, but if Taylor-Britt wanted to come here, that works for me.
 


Would love to see them bump down the roster size to 65.

You could do a thing like active roster of 65, and then a developmental roster for the last 20 spots. Guys who once you declare them as developmental after fall camp, they can't go on the active roster that season.
Given the number of injuries we see every season, this would not be a good idea. It's not like the NFL where you can go and sign free agents in the middle of the season. Your 85 is all you have.
 

I was reluctant to pass it on because it's almost Doogie-esque in terms of a "scoop". So this isn't a scoop, just thought I'd pass this on to anyone who might be interested. If you think it's BS, feel free to tell me so :).

One of my good friends is a HS football coach in MN and coaches a couple kids that could be PWO types. According to him, the Gophers are pretty open about hitting the transfer portal market hard every year and the coaches have said "we look to sign about 8 guys".

The reason it got brought up is because of something I never really considered. The transfer portal increases competition and therefore it increases the number of people who transfer out throughout the year. Because of that movement, there is an increased number of scholarships available for walk-ons (likely only for the year). It kind of creates chaos and when the dust settles, it's not uncommon that you might have more people leave than people arrive. The numbers just fluctuate more.

The interesting bit to me was that (according to him), the Gophers look to sign ~8 guys from the portal every year.
8 sounds like a lot, but with how many we have leaving, you almost have to. I predict things will slow down in the future, but who knows.
 



As it has been said: "Benhart had all the opportunity in the world to play for the Gophers, and gave us the middle finger." In addition, he doesn't like what Fleck does to teach his players life lessons etc. There is a huge different as to culture and personality with Frost and Fleck.
 

The Transfer Portal changed the recruiting seascape. PJ Fleck has to row the boat far and wide.

The PWO route to a Gopher roster is just blowing up. PJ Fleck may have just found a secret route to the West Indies.

That’s a good way for the next Blake Cashman to earn a scholarship. Work hard and prove yourself as worthy of a scholarship.

If the Gophers regularly award 3 or 4 scholarships a year, they are going to get quality developmental or late bloomer recruits. If they don’t work out, you don’t burn a scholarship.

You still go after HS recruits who are graded high who fit the program.

This may be the new normal. You constantly are out-recruiting your roster. Times have changed good or bad.
 

Listed at 6'0".- 222 lbs on the Rice roster. Similar size to Oliver on our current roster. Definitely on the smaller side but could be a candidate to come home for one last go around.
Could play the Justus Harris/Chris Williamson spot? LB/Nickel Back position? Bet he’d be good if he has any cover skills.
 

Smaller guy in high school that appears to have bloomed a little bit. Looks like a hitter. Quick enough. Father is a high school defensive coordinator.

No idea what’s going on in the first 20sec of this reel 😄

Oof, Lamar! I'm not sure they could beat a good hs team after watching that clip!
 


What it means is, you don't really need a full roster of 85 guys per year, anymore.

Especially when you can just "Michigan State" the portal, and go from 2 wins to 10 wins in a single year.


Yeah you might talk a good game about wanting to develop high school players ..... but why should you, if you don't need to?

You can let lower G5 and FCS schools do the developing, then get them as transfers with 2-3 years left.
MSU was a fluke and of course a no brainer for Tucker as it was his first year; this isn’t a lon term strategy to build a roster/culture/program - hoops by comparison is much different as you play so many fewer players and lose a lot less of them to injury. Fleck will wisely use it to supplement the roster and the players we want will notice the success enjoyed by Gibbens and Pinckney types
 

That kid is a punk. If you watched that "QB1" doc on Netflix, he definitely thinks his poo smells sweet. I wouldn't touch him with a 10-foot pole for the Gophers, but no doubt someone will. Should be interesting to see where he lands.
Don't worry... Fleck knows a kid like that won't be rowing any boats. He'd never bring someone in like that, no matter how many **** they have after their name.
 


For whatever reason top ranked Minnesota OL haven't had a great track record of panning out. It's possible Benhart is just the latest one.
There's been a few... JC Hassenour and Frank Ragnow (losing those two hurt) both have carved out nice careers in the NFL. Seantrel Henderson eventually had himself a decent career, too. Tyler Marz, I think, is still in the NFL... Ryan Harris did alright, too. I don't think Matt Birk was top ranked, but he did alright at the next level.

Then there's a whole slew of 'em from NDSU... but none were top ranked. Billy Turner, Joe Haeg, Dillon Radunz etc. etc.
 

You likely wouldn’t have a 5th RB on a 65 or 75 player roster. Like not more than 3 QB’s etc etc. Tougher to deal with injuries and transfers.

Things need to normalize a bit post COVID-19 extra year and then react.
Fair point.

I just think the P5 particular the largest schools are going to be able to pull a lot of talent out of the portal.

Guys who develop at lower schools, play early, prove themselves, then want to move up.
 

There's been a few... JC Hassenour and Frank Ragnow (losing those two hurt) both have carved out nice careers in the NFL. Seantrel Henderson eventually had himself a decent career, too. Tyler Marz, I think, is still in the NFL... Ryan Harris did alright, too. I don't think Matt Birk was top ranked, but he did alright at the next level.

Then there's a whole slew of 'em from NDSU... but none were top ranked. Billy Turner, Joe Haeg, Dillon Radunz etc. etc.
Billy Turner going strong for the Packers.

Silly miss on that one. Was right there in Mounds View.
 




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