Transfer Portal 2023-24, v2

[AlexanderFan]

in some instances it can. The center needs to be given a certain amount of time to be able to look at the front, and make a protection/block call (especially if the center is having to pick up some of the adjustment duties from the QB - it's usually somewhat shared, but more was put on the center last season than is usually expected), and then if there is motion from the offense that causes the D to move, the center must adjust the protection/block call, and he's not yet done with that and still making calls, and the QB calls for the ball when he's not ready, not good stuff can happen.

We both know that it won’t be Jalen’s fault. Nothing is Jalen’s fault with some of these posters, even Jalen’s faults aren’t his fault.

 

[mlh]

the other side of the coin is that he stayed on campus, worked hard, been dedicated to the program and was about to earn his shot. Without ever seeing him in person or in practice, the new staff recruits a younger transfer player at his position. Brock stays put, keeps working, and plays really, really well through spring and a-day. The replacement, for some reason unknown, isn't practicing and hasn't consistently proven anything for the new team due to not being there, but still seems to be the 'starter' despite the very good play by Brock. He did enough in the spring game that he'll probably get to go somewhere and at least have a good shot at starting.

I didn't realize a starter had been named at Center.

 

[TiderJack]

One to keep an eye on possibly. Michigan CB DJ Waller Jr in the portal. Ex-teammate of Keon Sabb. Michigan HC has some good comments about the 6' 3" cornerback.

MSN

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I don't think cadence would cause a center to center the ball on the ground.

If he had problems hearing and began to second guess himself, it very well could impact the snap. It became painfully obvious those two weren't on the same page. They would swap back and forth between screwing up the snap. No one really knows and at this stage doesn't matter.

 

[CB4]

I didn't realize a starter had been named at Center.

This is my thought. If Brock was told by the staff Brailsford was “their guy” even though he didn’t play/practice in the spring, then we have a horse of different color. I wouldn’t blame the young man at all. And let me also add, if indeed the staff told Brock anything along those lines without getting a sense of Brailsford’s capabilities against most likely superior talent than he has ever seen (SEC talent at Bama versus PAC talent) , then IMO it would be tremendously shortsighted on their part. Truth is, we really don’t know if whatever issues (personal, academic, other) that prevented Brailsford’s participation in the spring will be taken care in the near future. Maybe others know, but it certainly isn’t common knowledge.

There many times the “heir apparent” outsider comes in and the assumption is made “it’s his job to lose. They wouldn’t bring him in if they didn’t believe he would be the starter.” Seems it was a common thought among many here this time last year the QB job was Tyler Buckner’s job, based on playing for Rees at Notre Dame and “CNS wouldn’t bring him if he wasn’t better that what he already had”. We saw how that played out.

Now if Brock is heading to TCU to be closer to family in Ft. Worth and play for the hometown team, that is understandable as well.

I remember attending a high school practice when my son played. I was also very good friends with the head coach, so he understood I wasn’t questioning his decision making- just genuinely curious. He had a kid about 210 lbs playing center for two years. Clearly a smart young guy, but also it was apparent that from a physical and athletic point of view, there were others simply more “gifted” playing behind him. Basically I asked him why? And his response was very telling.

He said “I think of players in the biblical sentence of “talents”. How many are given and do you do with them? Do you bury them in the ground because you’re afraid someone will rob you, or do you use all of them to the greatest benefit? That kid at center gives me everything, all the time. He will fight for you from when the sun comes up until it sets in the west. Those other kids have all of his capabilities and a bunch more. But they don’t know what it means to give “all their talents” in order maximize the value. That 210 lb center is my object lesson. He is giving it ALL every day. The others need to understand that is my expectation for them.”

Brailsford maybe the greatest thing since sliced bread. But does he complete? When the nut cuttin’ time comes, will he fight? The time to find that out was in the spring and we didn’t get a chance to see it. So any benefit of doubt in my mind went to Brock.

If Brock is leaving because he “believes” he lost his starting position or “will” lose it., then that is disappointing. But if he was told he lost it to a player that didn’t practice or play a snap in the spring, then my disappointment is misdirected. It should be toward the staff.

 

[Coach D]

Can we please adopt a rule of no QB talk out of QB thread lol I just want a quick check if any transfers. Relying more on espn and portal site now for quick. At least bball side is on point lol

 

[CrimSonami]

Can we please adopt a rule of no QB talk out of QB thread lol I just want a quick check if any transfers. Relying more on espn and portal site now for quick. At least bball side is on point lol

Some just simply cannot help themselves.

 

[AlexanderFan]

It started because of the center talk.

Brock has a no contact tag, so ironically someone has been in contact with him.

Posters here seem to think one of the new guys coming in has shown enough potential to be the backup to PB.

That’s a dangerous game.


Meanwhile, a corner is visiting this weekend, and a Michigan corner has entered the portal as well.

Maybe we needed the room for some other players.

I sure would like to know the staff’s feelings on how this portal season has gone.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

It started because of the center talk.

Brock has a no contact tag, so ironically someone has been in contact with him.

Posters here seem to think one of the new guys coming in has shown enough potential to be the backup to PB.

That’s a dangerous game.


Meanwhile, a corner is visiting this weekend, and a Michigan corner has entered the portal as well.

Maybe we needed the room for some other players.

I sure would like to know the staff’s feelings on how this portal season has gone.

For all the activity we had after Saban retired this window feels like nothing has happened.

 

[rolltide7854]

Can we please adopt a rule of no QB talk out of QB thread lol I just want a quick check if any transfers. Relying more on espn and portal site now for quick. At least bball side is on point lol

It would be easier to herd cats.

 

[gtgilbert]

It started because of the center talk.

Brock has a no contact tag, so ironically someone has been in contact with him.

Posters here seem to think one of the new guys coming in has shown enough potential to be the backup to PB.

That’s a dangerous game.


Meanwhile, a corner is visiting this weekend, and a Michigan corner has entered the portal as well.

Maybe we needed the room for some other players.

I sure would like to know the staff’s feelings on how this portal season has gone.

or, he's got a short list, or he's just been in contact with some players at another school and they've 'passed along' there's enough interest for him to be able to contact the school.

Could also be a way to push his value up here. Even as the backup, if there's no one else, it could cause some ripples - certainly did on these boards.

 

[Cruloc]

The game is being passed on to a new and different culture of fans. Granted, will that type of fanbase monetarily sustain the sport? Who knows, but the sport that most of us grew to love probably isn't coming back as much as it will be moving away from that model.

Kids aren't taught to tough anything out nowadays, they're taught to leave, aka "quit". I see it in youth sports literally all the time and it doesn't matter the sport. Parents simply are teaching their kids, by their actions, if every single thing isn't going their way, to pack their crap and go.

That's it....the last couple of generations have grown up learning that if it gets tough, then just quit and do something else.

They've also been taught they are all special and should have this and that regardless of effort or merit.

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

It started because of the center talk.

Brock has a no contact tag, so ironically someone has been in contact with him.

Posters here seem to think one of the new guys coming in has shown enough potential to be the backup to PB.

That’s a dangerous game.


Meanwhile, a corner is visiting this weekend, and a Michigan corner has entered the portal as well.

Maybe we needed the room for some other players.

I sure would like to know the staff’s feelings on how this portal season has gone.

Nothings happened that the staff (or other insidersa) didn't anticipate heading into spring. At least so far...other than (so far) retention has been better than expected.

 

[some_al_fan]

Can we please adopt a rule of no QB talk out of QB thread lol I just want a quick check if any transfers. Relying more on espn and portal site now for quick. At least bball side is on point lol

Can we talk about Miroe snapping the ball to Simpson?

Anyway, I am actually posting about transfer portal. Bellenfant, our walk on kicker, just entered portal
https://247sports.com/player/upton-bellenfant-46128479/college-285056/

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

A so far unmentioned point for brokermeyer is that he is a grad transfer and may be looking at grad school opportunities as much as football. He may feel his career isn't going to be in the NFL and in that case maybe he wants to look around. He entered with a do not contact but hasn't immediately scheduled a visit and isn't really a big time NIL target with 0 starts under his belt.

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

Im uncertain if Upton was on scholarship or not but our 3rd string kicker heads to the portal.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1783617339050615284

 

[Joefus]

Can we please adopt a rule of no QB talk out of QB thread lol I just want a quick check if any transfers. Relying more on espn and portal site now for quick. At least bball side is on point lol

Seconded

 

[dtgreg]

If MJ doesn't grow about 8 or 9 inches we probably have never heard of him.

Sure, he could have played some college ball as a 5'10" guard somewhere and been pretty good.

But, a growth spurt (God's doing) and a will to be the best (MJ's doing) were both part of his story to become the GOAT.

Look at MJ's older brother.

 

[davefrat]

Can we please adopt a rule of no QB talk out of QB thread lol I just want a quick check if any transfers. Relying more on espn and portal site now for quick. At least bball side is on point lol

I heard Milroe is starting at center.

 

[mlh]

This is my thought. If Brock was told by the staff Brailsford was “their guy” even though he didn’t play/practice in the spring, then we have a horse of different color. I wouldn’t blame the young man at all. And let me also add, if indeed the staff told Brock anything along those lines without getting a sense of Brailsford’s capabilities against most likely superior talent than he has ever seen (SEC talent at Bama versus PAC talent) , then IMO it would be tremendously shortsighted on their part. Truth is, we really don’t know if whatever issues (personal, academic, other) that prevented Brailsford’s participation in the spring will be taken care in the near future. Maybe others know, but it certainly isn’t common knowledge.

There many times the “heir apparent” outsider comes in and the assumption is made “it’s his job to lose. They wouldn’t bring him in if they didn’t believe he would be the starter.” Seems it was a common thought among many here this time last year the QB job was Tyler Buckner’s job, based on playing for Rees at Notre Dame and “CNS wouldn’t bring him if he wasn’t better that what he already had”. We saw how that played out.

Now if Brock is heading to TCU to be closer to family in Ft. Worth and play for the hometown team, that is understandable as well.

I remember attending a high school practice when my son played. I was also very good friends with the head coach, so he understood I wasn’t questioning his decision making- just genuinely curious. He had a kid about 210 lbs playing center for two years. Clearly a smart young guy, but also it was apparent that from a physical and athletic point of view, there were others simply more “gifted” playing behind him. Basically I asked him why? And his response was very telling.

He said “I think of players in the biblical sentence of “talents”. How many are given and do you do with them? Do you bury them in the ground because you’re afraid someone will rob you, or do you use all of them to the greatest benefit? That kid at center gives me everything, all the time. He will fight for you from when the sun comes up until it sets in the west. Those other kids have all of his capabilities and a bunch more. But they don’t know what it means to give “all their talents” in order maximize the value. That 210 lb center is my object lesson. He is giving it ALL every day. The others need to understand that is my expectation for them.”

Brailsford maybe the greatest thing since sliced bread. But does he complete? When the nut cuttin’ time comes, will he fight? The time to find that out was in the spring and we didn’t get a chance to see it. So any benefit of doubt in my mind went to Brock.

If Brock is leaving because he “believes” he lost his starting position or “will” lose it., then that is disappointing. But if he was told he lost it to a player that didn’t practice or play a snap in the spring, then my disappointment is misdirected. It should be toward the staff.

Here are my thoughts on this.

1. Brailsford is a "known commodity" as far as CKD and the staff are concerned.

2. Even though Brailsford didn't practice this spring, they consider him as a potential starter. Therefore, they couldn't assure Brock that he would be the starter.

3. Brock feels like he's running out of time and needs to go somewhere where he can be the starter and build his resume for the NFL.

4. I think Brock went to CKD and they said there are no guarantees he will be the starter. In fact, there is a good chance he won't be the starter. Not that they are sold on Brailsford, just that they can't guarantee Brock will be the starter.

5. Loop back to #3.

It hurts our depth at Center, and elsewhere in the OL, but I understand Brock's decision. I hope it works out for him.

I'm also glad CKD was up front and honest regarding his playing time, rather than making promises he might break in the fall.

Now it's time to identify who else on the OL can play Center and coach him up so that we have some depth at that position.