Figured one thread would be easier
QB Nimz -
DB Mitchell-
DL Ford- North Central College
OL Orr-
TE Broussard-
Another two confirmed
DB - Josh Gholston - 4 Games Played
LB - Ayden Davison - 0 Games Played
Not a lot of film on either
SO DE Nick Price has entered the transfer portal.
Big time loss. Started as a true freshman. DE now very thin with Martins, Purty, Price gone
RSSR Tre Purty DE has entered the portal, didn't really see him coming back for a sixty year anyway
Can't fault him, as he has shown the ability to play at a higher level
32 Cole Adams Safety has left team
Orr has 2 FCS offers, Morgan State and Texas Southern as well as a handful of D2 including Limestone, much closer to home.
Congrats to Orr, especially if given scholarship offers
Ayden Davidson landed at Iowa Western Community College
Connor Hebbeler has appeared to have grad transferred as a grad transfer and will spend year six at Rutgers
FR Rylen Richardson has entered the portal
Can't fault him for wanting to give FBS a final shot
QB Gabe Lawson is xferring had a role as running QB in 2020, was replaced by Jackson in 21 for that role.
Staff has Kaplan and multiple offered PFL guys coming in.
Makes sense
Quote from: valpofb16 on March 02, 2022, 03:28:58 PM
QB Gabe Lawson is xferring had a role as running QB in 2020, was replaced by Jackson in 21 for that role.
Staff has Kaplan and multiple offered PFL guys coming in.
Makes sense
I expected at least one QB to transfer...he was also listed as the backup holder.
Paul Oren's spring preview hit the email. Some good news #3 Jadarius Horton two years starter is coming back
Quote from: valpotx on January 15, 2022, 02:04:37 AM
Congrats to Orr, especially if given scholarship offers
Orr to Marshall.
Nice upgrade for him
Quote from: IndyValpo on March 23, 2022, 06:24:00 PMQuote from: valpotx on January 15, 2022, 02:04:37 AMCongrats to Orr, especially if given scholarship offers
Orr to Marshall.
Nice move considering some of the other programs in the mix. I wonder if he's scholarship or PWO.
Richardson is definitely not a DI player.
Quote from: valpofb16 on January 12, 2022, 02:40:21 PM
RSSR Tre Purty DE has entered the portal, didn't really see him coming back for a sixty year anyway
Signed with Indiana State.
Good for him. He did his time at Valpo, and gets to compete in the very competitive MVC, to get his last crack at it.
FR OL Jake Ford has entered portal
FR RB Jaedon Orr has entered portal
Looks like Purty to MVC and Orr to Marshall are only two guys to land during scholarship cycle. Hebbeler to Rutgers. Rest of guys are likely to be walk-on/D3 guys.
Orr (OL) is the biggest loss. Think there was more talent Behind Nimz. Jaedon Orr was a great prospect, so was Ford. Some of these kids could have had great careers just needed some patience
List of all guys that landed somewhere
New Team:
Trejuan Purty-Indiana State
Nick Price- Lincoln
Gabe Lawson- John Carroll
Trey Stablein- Elmhurst
Akil Mitchell- Missouri S&T
Hayden McDonald- Gannon
Michael Momber -Davenport
Jake Ford- Southeastern University
Jeremiah Orr- Marshall
Breydan Ford- North Central
Connor Hebbeler - Rutgers
Juco:
Jamauri Jackson- Sacramento City
Myles Parker- Santa Monica College
Ayden Davison- Iowa Western
What happened to Ben Nimz? If I'm not mistaken, he had 2 more years left.
Appears he has done his 4 years and is moving on. Was a .500 Valpo QB, didn't turn the ball over too much. Should have started much more than the 8-10 games he did. Happy trails
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 07, 2022, 08:40:59 PM
Appears he has done his 4 years and is moving on. Was a .500 Valpo QB, didn't turn the ball over too much. Should have started much more than the 8-10 games he did. Happy trails
Yup, too bad he didn't get at least 2 full seasons in as QB1. I know that the pandemic played a role in cutting his playing time, but I don't know what took so long from him to be given the job outright.
So who is at QB for the Beacos?
Quote from: usc4valpo on August 08, 2022, 06:35:10 PM
So who is at QB for the Beacos?
Update on this coming to The Victory Bell in the morning. Hope you all have subscribed for football content. Just $5 a month or $49.99 for the whole year.
https://www.thevictorybell.com/
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 09, 2022, 07:59:49 AM
Paul, why would you say there is an update coming in the morning when your paid for article states that you have no idea.
There isn't even info on who is taking first team reps?
The question was who is at QB. I asked that direct question to Landon Fox and that was the direct answer he gave me. I'd consider that an update. They've yet to establish a depth chart, at least one that is public anyway. It will be fascinating to see play out, because as of right now I think as many as five guys could be in contention.
The update is no one knows, not even the coaching staff.
Once again it appears our guys who have transferred up showed Valpo have been best option
Tre Purty- IND State- 2GP, stats recorded in Purdue blow out
Jeremiah Orr- Marshall - DNP
Connor Hebbeler- Rutgers - DNP
Jake Ford - Southeastern- Not on roster
I didn't know where to put this, but congrats to Donny Navarro on having a successful end to his FBS career. He played 3 years at Illinois, before using a grad transfer year at Northwestern, where he had his strongest season, even though NW sucked at 1-11. He definitely used his extra COVID time as best he could, getting 6 years of quality education at Valpo, Illinois, and NW.
Last years portal guys
No home:
#1 Keyon Turner
#2 Chuck Maxwell
#4 Matt Ross
#6 Jordan Bingham
#7 Josh Becton
#8 Teryn Berry
#24 Marvin Rushing
#25 Jahni Clarke
#52 Danny Files
#58 James Doerer
#75 Gabe Watkins - Daigle
#86 Andre Tarver
#88 Brian Hunter
Landed:
#13 Braden Contreras - Illinois State
#14 Anthony Hightower - Coffeyville CC
#15 Dom Grguric - Bowling Green
#16 Mason Kaplan - Illinois State
#64 Ryan Merklinger - Western Illinois
#79 Andrew Covert - Michigan Tech
#89 George Dristiliaris - Butler
#99 Chase Randall - Arizona
Once again the portal shows its head. If you are an upperclassmen not ideal to try and transfer from non scholarship. Some guys will land places after spring but many depth charts are set by then
Danny Files and Matt Ross are still at Valpo. Any chance they return to the team in the fall?
Very second hand information. But I've heard the portal is a one way street with Fox.
Well...... that tells you something.
16, your portal status update needs to be shared with the FB staff (and they need to be tracking this themselves) so they can counsel guys who think the grass is greener. But after counseling, once they opt into the portal, I get Fox's position.
Honestly.... Look at the best players since portal took off in '20
Neisner, Purty, Dawson, Washington, Hines , Hodge , Hebbeler, Ross
Probably all guys Valpo does not get without the Portal. Incoming has been better than outgoing. Really stability on the OL is what the Fox era has lacked.
Think only one of the freshman is back from last season (Kotoles). Need to find a way to keep these guys.
The two ISU guys were picked off, Grguric and Merklinger followed former Valpo coaches. Outside Navarro the portal has had very little success.
I am not sure what Maxwell (listed at 5'5 135) Becton ( 5'8 155) and Turner ( 5'9 165 ) leaving as Juniors accomplished. That's bad for their degree and their measurable aren't favorable for even the PFL league
Quote from: valpofb16 on April 21, 2023, 05:10:40 PM
Last years portal guys
No home:
#1 Keyon Turner
#2 Chuck Maxwell
#4 Matt Ross
#6 Jordan Bingham
#7 Josh Becton
#8 Teryn Berry
#24 Marvin Rushing
#25 Jahni Clarke
#52 Danny Files
#58 James Doerer
#75 Gabe Watkins - Daigle
#86 Andre Tarver
#88 Brian Hunter
Landed:
#13 Braden Contreras - Illinois State
#14 Anthony Hightower - Coffeyville CC
#15 Dom Grguric - Bowling Green
#16 Mason Kaplan - Illinois State
#64 Ryan Merklinger - Western Illinois
#79 Andrew Covert - Michigan Tech
#89 George Dristiliaris - Butler
#99 Chase Randall - Arizona
Once again the portal shows its head. If you are an upperclassmen not ideal to try and transfer from non scholarship. Some guys will land places after spring but many depth charts are set by then
Thanks for this I was curious. What happened with Turner. He was really solid early then kind of fell off.
Had personal fouls in 4-5 games to where he was downright benched vs. Saint Thomas.
Unfortunate with how his career started
Unlike the last couple seasons, seems like there was no large transfer splashes this year
Paul has some non transfer related news that should be in his primer.
In terms of transfers we actually have more heading into summer than usual. Most big big name guys Washington, Dawson , Hines committed during that phase
Quote from: valpofb16 on April 24, 2023, 02:05:11 PM
Paul has some non transfer related news that should be in his primer.
In terms of transfers we actually have more heading into summer than usual. Most big big name guys Washington, Dawson , Hines committed during that phase
After spring practices there seems to be increased activity so I expect us to add some.
I couldn't figure out if this was a new entry but social media had a now former DB announcing his entry into the transfer portal.
I don't care about the transfer portal all that much but I do have a pretty negative response to what is to me self aggrandizing announcements some of these guys make. This was a guy who either didn't play or barely played last year and he's "opening up" his recruitment as if Coach Prime is on the other line and he's ready to make the jump.
I'm old I guess.
If you play 1 game in 3 years at Valpo your options are low NAIA or D3.
The kids dad is the HC at Michigan power house Cass Tech. Wonder if they were trying to build a bridge.
The "100% Recruitment Open phase is fun. Nonscholarship is different, but if it was a full ride program, that scholarship would be redirected immediately
Valpo needs to take advantage of the mass exodus of transfers fleeing from Coach Prime!
Roster looks borderline full for next year minus some last minute add ons.
Could see 3-5 guys this summer
RSFR Akim Abdur Rahim hitting portal. That's two DBs during spring practice
Agrred - the fall camp roster is full. In fact, there will likely be a few players that are participating in spring practice (now) that will not be invited to fall camp to make room for all the committed recuits and the summer transfers. That is a good thing! This coaching staff continues to do well in recruiting and is raising the talent to what is hopefully a PFL championship contending level.
Looks like Jeremiah Orr lasted 1 season at Marshall and is now at Hampton
Nick Price also double transferred, both would have played 30+ games here and are at less prestigious schools.
I've been around program for a decade. Seen 100+ transfers for football reasons. Navarro only one to really work out.
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 17, 2023, 06:37:58 AM
Nick Price also double transferred, both would have played 30+ games here and are at less prestigious schools.
I've been around program for a decade. Seen 100+ transfers for football reasons. Navarro only one to really work out.
So are these guys being sold a bill of goods by coaches at other schools, who lead them to believe that incredible opportunities await? (Please don't tell me that pro football possibilities are part of the appeal. I get that for mid-major basketball, but not for FCS football.)
I have known for a long time that in higher ed generally, the grass can appear to be lush green elsewhere, when in reality it can fall considerably short. It sounds like that's the case with this football transfer portal. In addition, the young men lose out on the experience of being part of a team and university community.
Quote from: David81 on August 21, 2023, 01:50:31 AMSo are these guys being sold a bill of goods by coaches at other schools, who lead them to believe that incredible opportunities await?
I'd say its more likely that it starts with them believing it themselves and supported by their inner circle.
There is probably not a one size fits all reasoning here.
In my time with program our average was about 1-4 wins a season.
We had the 8A Florida player of the year Dalton Stokes as a backup QB and went 2-9. I think what gets lost is despite being non scholarship football. These are really I mean really good high school players, many of which come from winning programs.
So if you come into a losing program and are not playing after a great school career. It's extremely deflating, not only for you but Mom and Dad too. add in Valpo weather, school, costs. It can get downright very depressing.
That's one end.
The other end are guys like Kaplan and Navarro who have early success and move on. Jeremiah Orr that type of guy. Verdict is out on Merklinger, Contreras , Kaplan going to FCS schools. But to make it at an FBS school is a massive , I mean massive jump. Cole Anderson started 20 games here his first few years and was never more than special teams at Colorado State.
Then there's a handful who just quit because they do not understand how hard college football is.
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 21, 2023, 01:36:36 PM
There is probably not a one size fits all reasoning here.
In my time with program our average was about 1-4 wins a season.
We had the 8A Florida player of the year Dalton Stokes as a backup QB and went 2-9. I think what gets lost is despite being non scholarship football. These are really I mean really good high school players, many of which come from winning programs.
So if you come into a losing program and are not playing after a great school career. It's extremely deflating, not only for you but Mom and Dad too. add in Valpo weather, school, costs. It can get downright very depressing.
That's one end.
The other end are guys like Kaplan and Navarro who have early success and move on. Jeremiah Orr that type of guy. Verdict is out on Merklinger, Contreras , Kaplan going to FCS schools. But to make it at an FBS school is a massive , I mean massive jump. Cole Anderson started 20 games here his first few years and was never more than special teams at Colorado State.
Then there's a handful who just quit because they do not understand how hard college football is.
Thank you for that very thorough explanation.
Regarding your mention of Dalton Stokes. A huge difference I've noticed from generations past is that the quarterbacking at the high school level gets better and better -- and not just at the P5 feeders, but just about everywhere. The highlight reel film on some of these guys who come to VU and don't play much is very, very impressive.
By sharp comparison, my 1970s NW Indiana high school football team went undefeated in the regular season, running the triple option, and passing maybe 40-50x the whole season. The junior high and frosh teams had super boiled down passing playbooks that included plays such as (and I kid you not, as I was a benchwarmer on those teams!) as "Pass right" and "Pass left."
And yet, even back then, I recall guys who were high school standouts thinking they could walk onto the VU football team and have an impact, and after a few practices, they knew they were overmatched.
Regarding QB play at the HS level....pee wee leagues start these guys off running an offense which is at least somewhat passer friendly. 20-30 years ago if you watched 10 and under or even through middle school age it was all nearly 100% running game from the wing-t to the wishbone. within the last 20 years it has become common to see those ages throwing the ball fairly often which at that age is maybe 10 times a game.
By the time the QBs get to HS they are already fairly polished due to the prevalence of QB camps for those prior to HS.
As far as a guy being player of the year in a particular class....I'm not sure how much that means as production in HS does not necessarily relate to the skillset of the QB in terms of the ability to throw and run. A QB locally was fairly recently 1st team QB in his class...I think 7A....and he not only ended up at a fairly low program (Div II?) but changed positions and never expected to play QB in college.
Keyon Turner (South Dakota), Matt Ross (Indiana State) Danny Files (Coastal Carolina) and Dom Grguric ( Bowling Green) not listed in two deeps at new school
Ryan Merklinger is starting at center for Western Illinois
None of them except maybe Turner had a shot at the two deep