Transfer Portal - Potential Targets

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Jack jones said:
If the two OL that we got off the portal last year are examples of what is available, no thank you. Neither would play for most D1 programs in a normal year. I would call BOTH recruiting mistakes. They played this year because, let’s face it, we missed out on other kids so we took what was the best available. Let’s hope that is not the case this year. I want OL that are potential draft eligible, neither of them will make the big dance.
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So you'll only play lineman who are locks for the NFL? Pretty harsh standards. Most college teams would only be able to trot out one or two of those guys per year.

As for Filiaga and Carroll, I agree that neither was great, but both were serviceable on what turned out to be a pretty decent unit. Carroll was bad at times early, but I thought he improved as the year went on. Perhaps you disagree. Filiaga was a guy who previously played a lot of snaps for a Michigan team that plays at a very high level. He wouldn't have started this year, but saying he wouldn't have played for most D1 programs is wrong, IMO.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
I'm kind of surprised so many people don't think we need a RB. Is it because Irving and Thomas filled in so well last year?

We were awful running the ball this year with anyone other than Mo. To me, it feels like so much of our offense is and will continue to be based on the running game, I'd hate to put all of my chips into the basket of an incoming recruit or a FR who looked good in garbage time.

Evans could very well be Irving but he's still an unknown.
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I think an offensive line is the most important factor in RB success. We didn't really try much to give carries to anyone else other than Mo when he was healthy. Ky Thomas is also an example of this due to how much he struggled behind a worse O line at Kansas, when he looked pretty good here.

Potts and Williams both put up good numbers when given an opportunity last season, and again this season although it was mostly against weaker competition. It's hard to judge them in the B1G when they only got a few carries per game. I thought Potts looked slow early in the season but better later in the season. They will both hopefully have a healthy offseason heading into next season to further recover from last years injuries.

AK being a running threat is another factor. Overall, I'm fine heading into next season with Potts/Williams and if they struggle, then let the talented freshman have their opportunity.
 

Jack jones said:
If the two OL that we got off the portal last year are examples of what is available, no thank you. Neither would play for most D1 programs in a normal year. I would call BOTH recruiting mistakes. They played this year because, let’s face it, we missed out on other kids so we took what was the best available. Let’s hope that is not the case this year. I want OL that are potential draft eligible, neither of them will make the big dance.
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lol...they both came in and started all year. We had one of the best rushing attacks in the country. Mo is awesome but he still needs the guys up front to create lanes for him. We also gave up very few sacks. I would say that Filiaga and Carroll did just fine.
 



GopherWeatherGuy said:
I think an offensive line is the most important factor in RB success. We didn't really try much to give carries to anyone else other than Mo when he was healthy. Ky Thomas is also an example of this due to how much he struggled behind a worse O line at Kansas, when he looked pretty good here.

Potts and Williams both put up good numbers when given an opportunity last season, and again this season although it was mostly against weaker competition. It's hard to judge them in the B1G when they only got a few carries per game. I thought Potts looked slow early in the season but better later in the season. They will both hopefully have a healthy offseason heading into next season to further recover from last years injuries.

AK being a running threat is another factor. Overall, I'm fine heading into next season with Potts/Williams and if they struggle, then let the talented freshman have their opportunity.
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I'm not certain Williams comes back for a 6th year. That will be an interesting decision.

I'm sure Potts will "start" the season as the #1 guy, but if he is still getting the bulk of the carries by game 3, I'll be pretty shocked.
 

Jack jones said:
If the two OL that we got off the portal last year are examples of what is available, no thank you. Neither would play for most D1 programs in a normal year. I would call BOTH recruiting mistakes. They played this year because, let’s face it, we missed out on other kids so we took what was the best available. Let’s hope that is not the case this year. I want OL that are potential draft eligible, neither of them will make the big dance.
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Pretty hard to call two guys who started every game mistakes.
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
I think an offensive line is the most important factor in RB success. We didn't really try much to give carries to anyone else other than Mo when he was healthy. Ky Thomas is also an example of this due to how much he struggled behind a worse O line at Kansas, when he looked pretty good here.

Potts and Williams both put up good numbers when given an opportunity last season, and again this season although it was mostly against weaker competition. It's hard to judge them in the B1G when they only got a few carries per game. I thought Potts looked slow early in the season but better later in the season. They will both hopefully have a healthy offseason heading into next season to further recover from last years injuries.

AK being a running threat is another factor. Overall, I'm fine heading into next season with Potts/Williams and if they struggle, then let the talented freshman have their opportunity.
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I don't disagree with anything you said, I just thought there was a pretty drastic drop off from Mo to Potts. I like Potts and Williams, but I think they either of them would probably be the worst starting RBs in the Big 10.
 

WriterGoph said:
I'm not certain Williams comes back for a 6th year. That will be an interesting decision.

I'm sure Potts will "start" the season as the #1 guy, but if he is still getting the bulk of the carries by game 3, I'll be pretty shocked.
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I think we will need him if we don't add a veteran RB, he is by far our best pass blocker last year. Early in the year in 2021, Bucky and Ky were almost unplayable on passing downs (they got a lot better).

If we are going with the young fellas, Potts and him, we're going to need Williams.

Also - Jelen does a nice job pass blocking. I know I got ripped for saying I wouldn't hate to see him get more run, but he could possibly fill that pass protection role if Williams leaves.
 



Bob_Loblaw said:
I don't disagree with anything you said, I just thought there was a pretty drastic drop off from Mo to Potts. I like Potts and Williams, but I think they either of them would probably be the worst starting RBs in the Big 10.
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I couldn't disagree more. They were both 'bad' this season and still averaged 5 yds per carry. Williams has only received 17+ carries three times in his career and had 141, 87, and 127 in those three games. Potts has only received 17+ carries four times and had 89, 141, 121, 178.

They are both very capable when given the opportunity.
 



I have mentioned earlier that both portal transfers were decoys. Perhaps mistakes was to harsh. i apologize.
 



GopherWeatherGuy said:
I couldn't disagree more. They were both 'bad' this season and still averaged 5 yds per carry. Williams has only received 17+ carries three times in his career and had 141, 87, and 127 in those three games. Potts has only received 17+ carries four times and had 89, 141, 121, 178.

They are both very capable when given the opportunity.
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What starting RB in the Big 10 is Potts better than?

Illinois - Brown - No
Wisconsin - Allen - No
Nebraska - Grant - I'd take Grant but maybe?
Iowa - Johnson - No
NW - Hull - No
Indiana RBs - Maybe
MSU - Jalen Berger? Maybe
MD - No
PSU - No
OSU - No
Michigan - No
Rutgers - Yeah, he's probably better than the guys at Rutgers.
Purdue - No

If you're being as generous as possible to Potts, he'd have been in the bottom 1/3 of Big 10 RBs. I can't see how you could even begin to make an argument he is better than anyone other than Indiana, Nebraska, MSU or Rutgers and I'd probably take all of them (with the exception of Rutgers) over him.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
What starting RB in the Big 10 is Potts better than?

Illinois - Brown - No
Wisconsin - Allen - No
Nebraska - Grant - I'd take Grant but maybe?
Iowa - Johnson - No
NW - Hull - No
Indiana RBs - Maybe
MSU - Jalen Berger? Maybe
MD - No
PSU - No
OSU - No
Michigan - No
Rutgers - Yeah, he's probably better than the guys at Rutgers.
Purdue - No

If you're being as generous as possible to Potts, he'd have been in the bottom 1/3 of Big 10 RBs. I can't see how you could even begin to make an argument he is better than anyone other than Indiana, Nebraska, MSU or Rutgers and I'd probably take all of them (with the exception of Rutgers) over him.
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I think you're forgetting Potts was very good pre-injury last season. He looked hobbled against Rutgers this season, but still had a 40 yd run. He looked much closer to normal again in his long run against NW.

Despite Mo getting most of the carries, Potts was still the 18th leading rusher in the B1G this season.

But we're talking about projecting to next season. Will either Brown or Allen be back for their schools? I doubt it. I would take Potts over Grant, Hull, Berger, Indiana's, or Rutgers RBs. That's nearly half of the conference already.

The other RBs at MD, PSU, Iowa, or Purdue that you think are better were all freshman or redshirt freshman. Allen was a freshman last year. So between Potts/Williams and 3 talented freshman, I think we have plenty of options.
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
I think you're forgetting Potts was very good pre-injury last season. He looked hobbled against Rutgers this season, but still had a 40 yd run. He looked much closer to normal again in his long run against NW.

Despite Mo getting most of the carries, Potts was still the 18th leading rusher in the B1G this season.

But we're talking about projecting to next season. Will either Brown or Allen be back for their schools? I doubt it. I would take Potts over Grant, Hull, Berger, Indiana's, or Rutgers RBs. That's nearly half of the conference already.

The other RBs at MD, PSU, Iowa, or Purdue that you think are better were all freshman or redshirt freshman. Allen was a freshman last year. So between Potts/Williams and 3 talented freshman, I think we have plenty of options.
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I am remembering Potts pre-injury, but we are living in the post-injury world.

He's ranked 23rd in the Big 10 despite having about the same number of carries as most of the guys ranked around him. All of the guys ranked in the 19-25 range have about the same number of carries and similar (or in most cases better) YPC. His numbers this year are not helping your argument, in my opinion.

Ok, well I can only go off this year. I don't expect massive improvements out of Potts and this year he would have been (IMO) one of the worst starting RBs in the Big 10. Allen probably won't be back next year but Guerendo was way better than Potts.

I honestly think we just have drastically different opinions on Potts. I think Evan Hull is considerably better than Potts. For me, it's not even close.

That said, I hope you're right. I hope he is either much better than I think he is, that he can revert back to 2021 form or that the FR are ready.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
I think we will need him if we don't add a veteran RB, he is by far our best pass blocker last year. Early in the year in 2021, Bucky and Ky were almost unplayable on passing downs (they got a lot better).

If we are going with the young fellas, Potts and him, we're going to need Williams.

Also - Jelen does a nice job pass blocking. I know I got ripped for saying I wouldn't hate to see him get more run, but he could possibly fill that pass protection role if Williams leaves.
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I guess Jelen does have 1 more year of eligibility left, but I know he walked on Senior Day. Like another poster pointed out, Bryce didn't walk for Senior Day. In that case, I would happily take Williams back over Jelen.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
I am remembering Potts pre-injury, but we are living in the post-injury world.

He's ranked 23rd in the Big 10 despite having about the same number of carries as most of the guys ranked around him. All of the guys ranked in the 19-25 range have about the same number of carries and similar (or in most cases better) YPC. His numbers this year are not helping your argument, in my opinion.

Ok, well I can only go off this year. I don't expect massive improvements out of Potts and this year he would have been (IMO) one of the worst starting RBs in the Big 10. Allen probably won't be back next year but Guerendo was way better than Potts.

I honestly think we just have drastically different opinions on Potts. I think Evan Hull is considerably better than Potts. For me, it's not even close.

That said, I hope you're right. I hope he is either much better than I think he is, that he can revert back to 2021 form or that the FR are ready.
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Fair enough. With Potts, Williams, and two freshman they were the 3rd best rushing team in the B1G last season and won 9 games. With Mo they moved up to 2nd this season, only about 20 yards per game more than last and will hopefully win 9 games.

With a more mobile QB, and an offense I think will try to throw more next season, I think they will be able to run the ball more than enough to win games with their current backs.
 

AK changes our entire RB situation. He opens up the offense. He changes the defensive schemes we will face.
 

WriterGoph said:
I guess Jelen does have 1 more year of eligibility left, but I know he walked on Senior Day. Like another poster pointed out, Bryce didn't walk for Senior Day. In that case, I would happily take Williams back over Jelen.
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So would I and I assume you're correct. I just don't think it would be the end of the world if Jelen had to fill in on some of those passing downs next year.
 

Gophers_4life said:
Weather not a huge factor as they play indoors in a dome and have a new IPF being built out that will allow climate-controlled practice/lifting/conditioning year round.

I think there is quite a sense of apathy settling into their fan base. They're not at all at the level of engagement or rabidness as they were in the mid to late 2010's.


And can you blame them? NDSU just doesn't lose. To FCS teams, that is. Extremely rare.

There is literally nothing left for that program to accomplish at that level. They've won like 8 of the last 9 national championships? Or something crazy.

And that division has been bleeding out its top programs slowly but surely to move-ups. It is already significantly depleted from where it was back when NDSU was battling Georgia Southern and then James Madison.
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I didn't mean weather as far as playing in it. I meant simply living there. I went to college in Moorhead. That wind in the winter is brutal.

The apathy thing is real to some extent. Also, The Fargodome hasn't had any major renovations since it was built in 1992 either. The city owns it and doesn't seem to want to spend any money. As has been mentioned though, the Dakota schools are too geographically isolated from any FBS conference so moving up is tough.
 

btowngopher said:
My wish list:
1. For the second year in a row O-line looks like a top need with three starters departing.
2. I’m taking a top rb if one is available. Sorry but I’m not ready to say we are fine with two true freshmen and a rs frosh we’ve barely seen. I don’t think Potts and Williams are above average big10 rbs and that is really what I’d hope for in our offense.
3. Kicker
4. I’d take a Dylan Wright type at wr. Someone who was rated high but didn’t get much action, and still have 3 plus years left. If we can’t recruit top wrs or get proven ones to transfer then this is the best route to build that room.
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Ok, good start for number 4 with Markus Allen at WR. Fits the mold I described.

For 2 I’m kicking the tires on Arlen Harris Jr from Stanford, Trevion Cooley from Louisville, and Titus Swen from Wyoming (depending on why he was dismissed from team).

For 1 I’m looking at Kevin Pyne from BC, former four star with nfl pedigree and a lot of eligibility. Also an interesting one year guy would be Ben Hoitink of Slinger Wisconsin, same town as Ashton Beers. To be honest I have no idea how good Hoitink is, but he started a bunch of games and was all Ivey-league this past year for Penn. He has plenty of size.
 

Word said:
Agree except for the RB position. But I'm assuming the freshmen and redshirt freshmen can step in. Wouldn't mind one for depth though.
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We don't have a starting RB on the roster. If we did, you would have saw them play some this year. Mo and nothing is what the RB room looks like. Getting a stud in the portal will be the difference between a 6-6 season next year and 8-4.
It WAS strong until 2 starting caliber guys left last year in the portal.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
Yep, we played coverage much more than most teams and we were fantastic on third downs. I wish we would have gotten more sacks, but I actually liked what I saw in Striggow and Joyner.
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We played coverage because our DB's are strong and our D-line is weak. They need 1-2 pass rushers to step up next season wherever they get them from.
 

Go Gophs said:
We don't have a starting RB on the roster. If we did, you would have saw them play some this year. Mo and nothing is what the RB room looks like. Getting a stud in the portal will be the difference between a 6-6 season next year and 8-4.
It WAS strong until 2 starting caliber guys left last year in the portal.
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We may not have a Mo on the roster but that doesn't mean we don't have a starting caliber back. Haven't seen enough of Evans as fans to know what he can and can't do but the coaches know. If we don't seem to be actively pursuing any RB in the portal then that would be an indication they like what they have in Evans, Potts, Williams and the incoming freshman. Time will tell.
 

Go Gophs said:
We played coverage because our DB's are strong and our D-line is weak. They need 1-2 pass rushers to step up next season wherever they get them from.
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I disagree, I think teams with good DBs are just as likely to play coverage as teams with bad DBs. I think it's just a style of play. We played a ton of coverage in 2021 and we had one of the best pass rushers in the nation (flanked by another NFL DE).
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
Fair enough. With Potts, Williams, and two freshman they were the 3rd best rushing team in the B1G last season and won 9 games. With Mo they moved up to 2nd this season, only about 20 yards per game more than last and will hopefully win 9 games.

With a more mobile QB, and an offense I think will try to throw more next season, I think they will be able to run the ball more than enough to win games with their current backs.
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It was the 2 freshmen. They were studs. Did you watch them? Lots of speed, some power and a whole bunch of make you miss.
 

Go Gophs said:
We don't have a starting RB on the roster. If we did, you would have saw them play some this year. Mo and nothing is what the RB room looks like. Getting a stud in the portal will be the difference between a 6-6 season next year and 8-4.
It WAS strong until 2 starting caliber guys left last year in the portal.
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We don't know much about Evans yet and he could be good, but yeah, we know the rest of the returning roster. They need an upgrade. There are two high 3-stars coming in Taylor and Williams, but playing true freshman at RB is a gamble at best. One would think the Gophers would be a destination for good running backs, but Irving left a big hole. He was Mo's eventual replacement.

On a side note, it is interesting that both of the top two running backs in the conference, Mo and Chase Brown, were rated mid 3-stars as recruits.
 

MNVCGUY said:
We may not have a Mo on the roster but that doesn't mean we don't have a starting caliber back. Haven't seen enough of Evans as fans to know what he can and can't do but the coaches know. If we don't seem to be actively pursuing any RB in the portal then that would be an indication they like what they have in Evans, Potts, Williams and the incoming freshman. Time will tell.
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You might be right. My take though is basically that Potts and Williams are not. To me these guys are worth 3-5 touches a game at most. I'd like to see them use Potts a little in the screen game or some other pass catching out of the backfield.
 

btowngopher said:
Ok, good start for number 4 with Markus Allen at WR. Fits the mold I described.

For 2 I’m kicking the tires on Arlen Harris Jr from Stanford, Trevion Cooley from Louisville, and Titus Swen from Wyoming (depending on why he was dismissed from team).

For 1 I’m looking at Kevin Pyne from BC, former four star with nfl pedigree and a lot of eligibility. Also an interesting one year guy would be Ben Hoitink of Slinger Wisconsin, same town as Ashton Beers. To be honest I have no idea how good Hoitink is, but he started a bunch of games and was all Ivey-league this past year for Penn. He has plenty of size.
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For the OL, Damieon George from Bama just entered the portal. He is 6'6" 330 and has played quite a bit for them at OT and OG. He'd look pretty good on that right side.
 

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