2026 ND Portal Targets

[Huntr]

Sure I’ll get upset about outcomes of the games but acquiring talent is not something I want to waste my emotions on. Not judging those that do, just how I’ve always viewed things.

You've got a point and you're right, but also my (perturbance? frustration? annoyance?) is more so because they seem to not understand how it works or what has to be done to get what they need.

You can't wait and see. You can't NOT host immediately. You can't be passive about targets taking other visits. You can't low ball for fear that your locker room chemistry will be upset. You can't rely on the name on the sign outside to sway a target. You can't be afraid to pay what you need to pay to get what you want. You can't spend too much time worrying about fit or grades or culture. Move fast and figure it out. This is the nature of the portal.

Especially with DT's. The most important positions on the field, after the QB, are the lines, and ND has gaping holes in their DL. Be aggressive and pay up.


The NCAA is *nothing*. They have no power. Tamper all you can, get the guys you need, coach em up and win.

 

[NDdomer2]

If everyone’s over paying, is it really over paying?

It’s like how we at top coaches are over paid but their ROI is way better than getting a bargain and winning 9 games.

Whether you over pay for someone isn't determined by what someone else would pay. It's by getting an ROI. We won't know if it's an over pay or not until the season plays out and we have production to measure the dollars against.

 

[IrishInOntario]

For what it's worth, I don't think Gilliam is just "a guy". On film I see a player that has NFL size and upside. If he continues to develop, grow into his body and is coached well, he projects to be an impact college player that will get drafted.

That's my analysis, but confident in that evaluation.

 

[Bluto]

Would not be surprised to find out that some of these “reporters” were colluding with various agents.

 

[lefty5258]

Not Nakos, did he ever do it?

 

[lefty5258]

Would not be surprised to find out that some of these “reporters” were colluding with various agents.

Unfortunately gotta play the game if they ever want to get real info...If I tell you "leak this" and you don't, you're definitely not getting any real news I want to share

 

[Bluto]

Unfortunately gotta play the game if they ever want to get real info...If I tell you "leak this" and you don't, you're definitely not getting any real news I want to share

I’m talking about actual payments to leak “info”.

 

[NDWarrior]

Not Nakos, did he ever do it?

You are correct - I only saw this one.

 

[RudyVerse]

Not portal related but this thread needs a chaser.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Whether you over pay for someone isn't determined by what someone else would pay. It's by getting an ROI. We won't know if it's an over pay or not until the season plays out and we have production to measure the dollars against.

You mean like missing the $20 million payout (and more) for CFP championship because you wouldn't spend a few million on serviceable DTs?

 

[tirishman505]

You know where we can't get leveraged by agents in the portal? OL, running back, etc. "Overpaying" in the portal is the price of missing on successive years of recruiting one of the top 3 position groups.

 

[rtrn2glory]

if he is on campus still and this is going on then......wow

I wanted to believe otherwise, but legit i agree now, visits mean jack shit. These dudes want paid and selling the same you do to high school kids is worthless and in the future we need a better plan of attack on the NIL aspect of it.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Not portal related but this thread needs a chaser.

Can't complain about the ND's willingness to spend on program infrastructure, including staff. There seems to be no shortage of funds in this department!

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Not portal related but this thread needs a chaser.

Can he play dt?

 

[NDWarrior]

For what it's worth, I don't think Gilliam is just "a guy". On film I see a a player that had NFL size and upside. If he continues to develop and is coached well, he projects to be an impact college player that will get drafted.

That's my analysis, but confident in that evaluation.

Ok, so if the TP market and esp. for positions of need (DT, WR, etc.) is this outlandish and were getting outbid bec. ND has a limit for locker room cohesion, then why isn't the staff just trying to find highly productive D2 and G5 players that have a strong chance of working out, esp. with further development? I know we have guys on staff, but they're unproven and we need depth anyway. At least they have successful production.
Just sayin', it just seems to be a rabbit hole and yes, make the best effort to get the top P4 players but scout and target the best D2/G5 players as well.

 

[Ndaccountant]

If everyone’s over paying, is it really over paying?

It’s like how we at top coaches are over paid but their ROI is way better than getting a bargain and winning 9 games.

It is to those on the roster that didnt enter the portal.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Not portal related but this thread needs a chaser.

so wth did he do for the last 10-12 years.

 

[arrowryan]

Where is Merck when you need him?

 

[IrishInOntario]

Ok, so if the TP market and esp. for positions of need (DT, WR, etc.) and were getting outbid bec. ND has a limit for locker room cohesion, then why isn't the staff just trying to find highly productive D2 and G5 players that have a strong chance of working out, esp. with further development? I know we have guys on staff, but they're unproven and we need depth anyway. At least they have successful production.
Just sayin', it just seems to be a rabbit hole and yes, make the best effort to get the top P4 players but scout and target the best D2/G5 players as well.

ND is going to try with best guys first, because they know the "sleeper" guys that are elss coveted will still be there after the top guys go. Any recruiting coordinator / general manage / head coach worth his salt has to at least TRY to land impact talent before moving on to their next tier of targets.

There is no doubt that ND will be tasking part of their recruiting department and coaching staff to continue evaluating portal entries to build out ND's positional board. It's would be complete incompetence and negligence to do anything else.

 

[Bluto]

Where is Merck when you need him?

Transfer Portal.

 

[Dale]

so wth did he do for the last 10-12 years.

???

 

[irish2104]

Crazy we are hiring an assistant GM during an turbulent transfer portal season.. unreal

 

[Huntr]

Can he play dt?

Shit, look at him. Maybe?

 

[Dale]

Not portal related but this thread needs a chaser.

Isn’t this supposed to be Jourdan Blake, the guy from Colorado? What’s he been doing?

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

So they hired the PSUI guy to lure Gilman in, right?

 

[JamIrish]

Isn’t this supposed to be Jourdan Blake, the guy from Colorado? What’s he been doing?

Blake is Director of Player Personnel. Same position Sanders held at his previous stops. I think this is Freeman expanding the staff

 

[NDWarrior]

Blake is Director of Player Personnel. Same position Sanders held at his previous stops. I think this is Freeman expanding the staff

Yeah someone needs to get in and make some donuts during the holidays to get a jump start on portal activity well before it opens on 1/2

 

[RudyVerse]

He honestly looks like a DT. Just suit him up, who cares.

 

[rtrn2glory]

The Penn St. Guy.

???

couldn't download the article

 

[Huntr]

Isn’t this supposed to be Jourdan Blake, the guy from Colorado? What’s he been doing?

"I have been tasked with leading and managing our high school and transfer scouting process, as well as assisting in the recruiting process" from his LinkedIn