2025-26 #PortalSZN Thread

[Quint]

Gotta think Leavitt is the favorite to land here, no?!? Losing 2 qb after national title contention will have them desiring a solid option - Leavitt not signing really has shocked me

But you know what they say #GodsPlan

I have an alternative tag I think is more realistic.

#shitdidn’tworkoutlikeIthoughtitwould

 

[Quint]

Why am I thanking god for West Virginia basketball?

Because he knows billionaires.

I recon.

 

[Carm]

Completely agree. Black has experience but he was just ok at ISU. No PSU offer but was going to visit SC? Cmon.

Penn State has two senior to be OGs returning next year for their third year starting, probably the best guard tandem in the B1G

 

[Carm]

So that’s why Clemson just signed him? Allegedly?

While I’ll agree we took too long with the DL coach hiring, this has less to do with that (if anything) and if the stories are to be believed, everything to do with the kids academic issues. But we should have settled this in November.

He is a JUCO. He can't sign with anyone until the Feb 4 signing date

 

[Tsakoi]

One point I'd like to make about our consternation regarding the DL coach is.....

When you take a guy like Gabe Moore last year the thought is that he'll help you in '26 and not necessarily '25. You take him and get him into your system, get his body right, let him dip his toes into Big 10 play and then hopefully unleash him in his 2nd year in your program.

So where are we at with that? Did Bradden fuck up the development? Was our approach to this year's portal based on what we think we were able to accomplish last year? (1: Moore? 2: George who ejected) Same with a guy like Hoffken. Terry and Simpson are this year's depth pieces. (Gotta be the Pietzrak role, right?) Is that enough coupled with our 3 DL portal additions and returning veterans to make a serviceable defensive front?

I remember making post after post saying that we absolutely needed Jeudy to be a player. I remember worrying when I wasn't hearing his name during the summer. My only memory of him from '24 was when he basically got powerbombed by a Rutgers OL. We all know how the '25 version of Jeudy turned out. (The DL equivalent of wet toilet paper)

Now we find ourselves in a similar situation for '26 needing some guys to come out of nowhere and be good enough. I'm willing to give our guys a chance but I'm highly skeptical.

 

[Quint]

One point I'd like to make about our consternation regarding the DL coach is.....

When you take a guy like Gabe Moore last year the thought is that he'll help you in '26 and not necessarily '25. You take him and get him into your system, get his body right, let him dip his toes into Big 10 play and then hopefully unleash him in his 2nd year in your program.

So where are we at with that? Did Bradden fuck up the development? Was our approach to this year's portal based on what we think we were able to accomplish last year? (1: Moore? 2: George who ejected) Same with a guy like Hoffken. Terry and Simpson are this year's depth pieces. (Gotta be the Pietzrak role, right?) Is that enough coupled with our 3 DL portal additions and returning veterans to make a serviceable defensive front?

I remember making post after post saying that we absolutely needed Jeudy to be a player. I remember worrying when I wasn't hearing his name during the summer. My only memory of him from '24 was when he basically got powerbombed by a Rutgers OL. We all know how the '25 version of Jeudy turned out. (The DL equivalent of wet toilet paper)

Now we find ourselves in a similar situation for '26 needing some guys to come out of nowhere and be good enough. I'm willing to give our guys a chance but I'm highly skeptical.

I share a lot of this thought process.

I had high hopes that RVP and Lenhardt would show more in ’25 than they did, but really thought ’26 would be it for those two with a chip in from Davis and Pietrzak to make it a decent D line. Hoffken is a physical freak, but I actually didn’t think he’d be technically savvy enough to contribute until ’26 or ’27.

With Davis in the portal and a mixed bag coming in, we look about even with where we were going into ’25, hoping RVP can have his Robinson breakout year and at least a couple of other show up.

Better coaching (knowing the play call at a minimum) should help clean up a lot of what we saw in the run game, but we’re not going to own the line against anyone in conference.

 

[Carm]

 

[Fargo Husker]

View attachment 66046

He’s trying to pull an Anthony Jones in one recruiting cycle.

 

[ThankGODforWVB]

One point I'd like to make about our consternation regarding the DL coach is.....

When you take a guy like Gabe Moore last year the thought is that he'll help you in '26 and not necessarily '25. You take him and get him into your system, get his body right, let him dip his toes into Big 10 play and then hopefully unleash him in his 2nd year in your program.

So where are we at with that? Did Bradden fuck up the development? Was our approach to this year's portal based on what we think we were able to accomplish last year? (1: Moore? 2: George who ejected) Same with a guy like Hoffken. Terry and Simpson are this year's depth pieces. (Gotta be the Pietzrak role, right?) Is that enough coupled with our 3 DL portal additions and returning veterans to make a serviceable defensive front?

I remember making post after post saying that we absolutely needed Jeudy to be a player. I remember worrying when I wasn't hearing his name during the summer. My only memory of him from '24 was when he basically got powerbombed by a Rutgers OL. We all know how the '25 version of Jeudy turned out. (The DL equivalent of wet toilet paper)

Now we find ourselves in a similar situation for '26 needing some guys to come out of nowhere and be good enough. I'm willing to give our guys a chance but I'm highly skeptical.

We've not been someone likely to have lightening striking us with success, but certainly if Moore who will in reality be a Sophomore this year can turn this on it would be great. That would give Terry more time to develop (who I think is the real long term answer here at the NT). We really aren't that bad off at the other DL positions, but I would not be surprised if we see Keona Davis decide to stay. This hasn't been a really productive process for him, and he will be a better player next year (his 2nd year with real playing time).

 

[Carm]

We really aren't that bad off at the other DL positions, but I would not be surprised if we see Keona Davis decide to stay. This hasn't been a really productive process for him, and he will be a better player next year (his 2nd year with real playing time).

Davis visited Miami at the end of last week. That's the only place he actually visited so far to my knowledge. Their class registration deadline is tomorrow. Illinois is also interested in him, their deadline is the 26th. FSU has interest but they are resource limited.


It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

 

[Carm]

this is the 247 Miami story on Davis from last week

Miami is set to host a pair of transfers on Thursday with the 'dead period' lifted.

As InsideTheU reported on Wednesday night, the program is hosting Nebraska transfer defensive lineman Keona Davis. The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder was a full-time starter for the Cornhuskers in 2025, totaling 406 snaps across 13 games.

This past season, Davis totaled 32 tackles, 3.5 coming for a loss, with 1.5 sacks and ten quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus.

With two years of eligibility remaining, Davis could be an experienced and versatile defensive lineman who can play multiple spots on the front. Davis played 192 snaps lined up as a defensive tackle, 117 lined up over the offensive tackle, and 87 as a defensive end outside of the tackle. That flexibility is valued.

I think the only other player they hosted after the dead period ended was a kicker.

About a day earlier the 247 UCLA site said UCLA would no longer be pursuing Davis. I suspect he'll end up at Miami.