2026 ND Portal Targets

Padomer9

Well-known member
Messages
167
Reaction score
284
Maybe Gilliam just like Knowles and his system better. He played in it for a year at PSU. This is pretty disappointing if true.
 

lefty5258

Active member
Messages
84
Reaction score
133
Maybe Gilliam just like Knowles and his system better. He played in it for a year at PSU. This is pretty disappointing if true.
that would actually make me feel better about our attempt than if he liked us more and we were just outspent. I'd rather lose out on kids to familiarity, nothing we can do there
 

IrishinSyria

In truth lies victory
Messages
6,042
Reaction score
1,920
Gotta pay a premium to land who you want. No such thing as overpaying in this market. Just need to prioritize and allocate effectively.
There is such a thing as overpaying when you’re playing with a fixed pit of money that also gets allocated to guys already on the roster.
 

IrishInOntario

Well-known member
Messages
643
Reaction score
1,088
Maybe Gilliam just like Knowles and his system better. He played in it for a year at PSU. This is pretty disappointing if true.
Absolutely a possibility. It isn't unreasonable that to think that two schools have extended a similar / the same offer and that a player would choose to follow a DC that they're comfortable with. It's not ALL about money. Things like academics, program fit, usage plan, scheme fit, etc are still in play... The money side of things has just added that extra layer of complication into the mix.
 

IrishLax

Something Witty
Staff member
Messages
37,544
Reaction score
28,990
He’s a scout not negotiator, and that is showing
Yeah, consider these two completely opposite ends of the spectrum here:

-At USC, Bowden is literally negotiating and cutting contracts directly with players. Almost zero coach involvement. They don't even have a DC right now. He's basically operating like an NFL GM.

-At Indiana, Cig is steering everything but anyone he says he wants they are going aggressive / "blank check" style to lock them down. Same with how Texas Tech operates.

-At ND, no one knows what they are doing. There is a ton of inexperience here, they aren't getting people to sign what they're offering. No one behind the scenes is even clear on how the admissions process works or doesn't work [none of these other schools are even talking about stuff like that]. It's a completely different animal than negotiating a deal for a player already on the roster or negotiating a deal for a HS recruit where there is a long runway in the recruiting process.

ND needed 2x impact DTs and completely whiffed. They couldn't even tamper with a kicker correctly. It's a goat rodeo -- and maybe they get it figured out here -- but this is why I said the shit I did about "process" days ago. Everyone close to the situation who is being honest has horrible things to say. I don't think Freeman is happy either, without DTs this team is going nowhere in 2026.
 

IrishLax

Something Witty
Staff member
Messages
37,544
Reaction score
28,990
Absolutely a possibility. It isn't unreasonable that to think that two schools have extended a similar / the same offer and that a player would choose to follow a DC that they're comfortable with. It's not ALL about money. Things like academics, program fit, usage plan, scheme fit, etc are still in play... The money side of things has just added that extra layer of complication into the mix.
That's not what is happening.
 

JerseyIrishMan

Active member
Messages
114
Reaction score
115
There is such a thing as overpaying when you’re playing with a fixed pit of money that also gets allocated to guys already on the roster.
That's where prioritization comes in. You have enough resources to field a talented roster with depth at every position. Paying whatever it takes to land two DTs is not "over"paying based on our roster composition. It's prioritizing responsibility. Hopefully lots of learnings from this process for future reference.
 

MacIrish75

The New Logo is a Jinx
Messages
9,195
Reaction score
17,740
He has the power to control change it, you credit Cignetti right above. Freeman was at a wrestling tournament while other coaches nationally were working.
My gut tells me that we aren't likely getting a "Run it Back" tweet for 2027.
 

PolishDomer

Well-known member
Messages
1,470
Reaction score
2,335
Help us Mercke, you’re our only hope
agqrx7.jpg
 

greyhammer90

the drunk piano player
Messages
16,819
Reaction score
16,078
At ND, no one knows what they are doing. There is a ton of inexperience here, they aren't getting people to sign what they're offering. No one behind the scenes is even clear on how the admissions process works or doesn't work [none of these other schools are even talking about stuff like that]. It's a completely different animal than negotiating a deal for a player already on the roster or negotiating a deal for a HS recruit where there is a long runway in the recruiting process.

Confused by this paragraph. The first sentence seems to indicate that we're coming in under market. The rest of it seems like you're indicating that there's an organizational issue that largely stems from the University's admissions and not the football staff? Am I reading that correctly?
 

rtrn2glory

Well-known member
Messages
16,163
Reaction score
6,450
I'm not sure how the program is structured, but Martin should not be involved in the scouting and recruiting of players. Your job as a GM is to make sure the pieces are together financially within the organization. That's what scouts/coaches are for. I noticed that in one of the peacock episodes. Just my opinion on the matter.
 
Top