2025-26 #PortalSZN Thread

[Cavalot]

The o line is going to be a bunch of dogs talent wise if we land Mubenga.

Out of everything Rhule has done. The line coming through portal added to a Geep. Run the damn ball guys should be very very happy.

I hope so. My number 1 point of interest was along the trenches for this recruiting cycle. This is going to be a two year build before we truly see difference making play. Hoping that the ROI will pay dividends in 27 or 28. Probably the best we can hope for when you look at other parts of our team that need serious upgrades.

2026 will be a 5-6 win team with a ceiling of 7 based on talent, coaching and schedule difficulty.

 

[Cavalot]

I’m 95% confident this one’s real and not AI though

LOl has Rhule been using ebony stain for his tan upgrades?

 

[jaihawk]

Makes sense Geep's tweet... The LSU guy..

 

[BorWhiskey]

He was the 31st ranked IOL in the portal, I’m sure he didn’t break the bank.

Do you think any of the services are re-evaluating thousands of kids and accurately ranking them in a month? Mubenga is someone a lot of big time schools wanted. This is a good get.

 

[NebEngineer]

what narrative is coming out of North Stadium?

Late reply

The "everything is going according to plan", "we took our time with the DL hire". The reality is that Matt put all his eggs in the Erob basket and was caught unprepped to pivot when he bailed. Rhule then had to fumble through a list of backup options for weeks going into portal season. Which brings me to the second narrative; the idea that the DL coach not being in place hasn't affected DL recruiting (another tale making its way out from official channels) is obviously cope from the staff. That was obviously not the plan and slow start to DL recruiting was clearly effected.

Rhule deserves a lot of scrutiny for how this has played out, not saying you disagree with this, but you asked me to specify.

 

[Hotcarl]

Mubenga and Babalade were both backups on bottom tier OLs last year. They’re the types we’d be clapping about leaving were the situations reversed

 

[wildcat_husker]

Mubenga and Babalade were both backups on bottom tier OLs last year. They’re the types we’d be clapping about leaving were the situations reversed

Didn't Mubenga start for half the year in 2025?

 

[kctitans]

Matt Pearce with the double corncob this morning.

 

[Carm]

Late reply

The "everything is going according to plan", "we took our time with the DL hire". The reality is that Matt put all his eggs in the Erob basket and was caught unprepped to pivot when he bailed. Rhule then had to fumble through a list of backup options for weeks going into portal season. Which brings me to the second narrative; the idea that the DL coach not being in place hasn't affected DL recruiting (another tale making its way out from official channels) is obviously cope from the staff. That was obviously not the plan and slow start to DL recruiting was clearly effected.

Rhule deserves a lot of scrutiny for how this has played out, not saying you disagree with this, but you asked me to specify.

I haven't seen anything suggesting that the staff is in any way stating that DL recruiting is unaffected. I personally think having the job open doesn't has a significant impact if you have a DC in place that can convey the scheme to experienced players in the portal. There are lots of guys out there who can coach at this level and it's not like anyone thinks we will be going into the season without a position coach. And position coaches change regularly anyway. But my view of this is my view based on watching recruiting for many years, not some messaging I am hearing (and I'm fact not hearing any).

Rhule didn't have a plan B for ERob because he was in, but it was a freak perfect storm with ERob given that the A&M job then opened only because Franklin got a job so quickly. A&M was the one & only place ERob had to go if it opened because his family still lives in College Station.

 

[Blakejc]

Mubenga and Babalade were both backups on bottom tier OLs last year. They’re the types we’d be clapping about leaving were the situations reversed

It’s possible they’re not being given a starting job. Sledge and Gottula aren’t giving it away I assure you that.

 

[Carm]

Didn't Mubenga start for half the year in 2025?

Both guys started 5 games this past season as sophomores

 

[rsmacke]

It’s possible they’re not being given a starting job. Sledge and Gottula aren’t giving it away I assure you that.

Sledge and Gottula will not start unless something goes very wrong

 

[jaihawk]

Late reply

The "everything is going according to plan", "we took our time with the DL hire". The reality is that Matt put all his eggs in the Erob basket and was caught unprepped to pivot when he bailed. Rhule then had to fumble through a list of backup options for weeks going into portal season. Which brings me to the second narrative; the idea that the DL coach not being in place hasn't affected DL recruiting (another tale making its way out from official channels) is obviously cope from the staff. That was obviously not the plan and slow start to DL recruiting was clearly effected.

Rhule deserves a lot of scrutiny for how this has played out, not saying you disagree with this, but you asked me to specify.

Bill Busch spoke directly to whether or not this would impact DL recruiting during the Transfer Portal time frame and he said that in this day and age, it wouldn't. He said that most transfers would care about their contract offer and their DC first and foremost. Bill is far from a mouthpiece for the University or for Rhule.

 

[Carm]

Mubenga and Babalade were both backups on bottom tier OLs last year. They’re the types we’d be clapping about leaving were the situations reversed

I would be inclined to consider anyone who started about half the season on the OL as a sophomore in the SEC a strong candidate

 

[Tsakoi]

It’s possible they’re not being given a starting job. Sledge and Gottula aren’t giving it away I assure you that.

Competing with Gottula for a position doesn't sound scary.

Like don't completely shit your pants and the spot is yours.

You might be about to streak your shorts a bit and still win the spot is all I'm saying.

 

[Bulldog10]

Do you think any of the services are re-evaluating thousands of kids and accurately ranking them in a month? Mubenga is someone a lot of big time schools wanted. This is a good get.

He visited Arkansas and SC, in what world are those big time programs?

 

[herbsinator]

I would be inclined to consider anyone who started about half the season on the OL as a sophomore in the SEC a strong candidate

Yeah both of these guys were definitely in line to start this year for their respective schools. I think people in general need to lower their expectations for the portal. Best case scenario in most cases is finding replacement level starters to plug holes. The number of true difference makers in the portal is very low.

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]