AJS

This is turning into a nightmare offseason.

For portal departures, when I talk about spin, it’s in regards for does this loss hurt the positional group for next year. There’s clearly nuance with that statement as well. Balancing classes, younger player development, etc.

Agreed. Although understandable, there's no way to spin Kilty entering. The Ocansey one you can try to, but we'll see. Spin would be, I'm not surprised a CB left, because although unproven, it's definitely the most talented potential defensive unit in 2024. So much of how I feel about CB going into next year relies on Hembry returning. (w/ Hembry there would be 5 guys who would expect to be on the 2-Deep -- now there would be four). I'd be fine if the 2-Deep is Hembry / Bluiett w/ Dixon / Bishop backing up.

No. No need. The incoming true Fr will replace Tommy as far as the # of QB’s on roster goes.

Tracking down some social media posts. Koshiol (OLB) will not return for his Covid year (or try the transfer portal).

Besides Kilty, so far so good this week. I'm pretty happy with the other Portal entries. Now, could really use some "committed to come back" type of messages from Beach, Belquist, Fort, Hembry, McNaboe, Vaughn.

My other thought is it would make sense to me for Feeney to transfer out since he'll be a Junior. Wouldn't make sense for me for Jerry to transfer out as a RS Freshman. Edit: Like @Kab said though, I would hope the coaches would do a good job of selling the backup that he'll get his chance as well during the season.

I would be really surprised if anything is resolved after Spring ball. Can anyone realistically see that happening?

Tom Miller was just on Izzo's show, he does not think they go after another QB from the portal. His thought being the QB battle will go into next Fall. I would tend to agree with that. One clarification maybe with Kelly's statement, is any QB portal add, the thought would be more as someone that provides nice depth. Wouldn't expect that person to challenge for the starting spot.

According to the list the Forum has of MVFC players that are in the portal, he is in the portal.

Why would this one be upsetting? You don’t think this was mutual or I’m guessing more program driven?

Best of luck to Jack moving forward!

Here's to a quiet rest of the week on the portal front. There will be others entering next week of course but need those to all be program driven as well.

Best of luck, Tommy! This was a really important off-season step. I feel better about the direction of the program heading into next year than I did yesterday.

Only thing official so far is Kilty. Bo did say on the radio postgame interview he did after the Sac State game that he intended to come back, but things could change too.

I would be more excited for a D2 All-Conference player, than an FBS drop down who didn't play.

While on the topic of WR's, Eliodor, Wilson and I wouldn't mind 1 more turning over as well. Depth would definitely still be there. Belquist, Klein, Dennis, Tai would be a fun first four. Plus, would give you a potential portal add if the right situation presented itself.

One of my beliefs with roster construction is the appropriate amount of turnover is a good thing. From the Sr. class, who do we hope returns? Here's my list. Belquist Vaughn McNaboe Hembry Beach Navratil* (This is if the coaching staff believes he can return to the form he had as an underclassman) Fort* (He looks to have another year of eligibility) If Belquist returns, I hope the rumor of Wilson entering the portal is true.

This is another perfect example; it appears from his interviews that Bubba gets it. He says the right things, it does seem like he's self-aware of his teams shortcomings. Not optimistic that anything will actually change, but worth noting. Wait and see.

Losing players to the portal is far from a bad thing, IF, its program dictated. Clearly not the case with someone like Kilty. A program like UND just cannot afford many of the Kilty types of portal entries. Like others have said, I don't blame Kilty at all. No hard feelings here, what a great student-athlete! He'll get a bunch of really great offers!

Let's pump the breaks here a bit. Not even close to ideal, but before everyone goes overboard, let's see what the next 48 hours brings us.