2025-2026 Transfer Portal

[wheelsup]

2 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

SS is not an outlier in this.  If the Minnesota rumors are true, he may see the field on special teams and that's about it.

Which would make it way worse

[wheelsup]

58 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

Yeah good chance he saw a difficult time climbing the depth chart with Jerry having 2 years left, Sulik right behind him and Brooks coming in plus JTJ if he sticks around. 

I do believe that Etienne is Fruechte’s first QB he recruited. 

Two guesses on this 

1) watched Jerry get his head bashed in on designed qb run after designed qb run.. decided that this wasn’t the offense for him.

2) recruited by Isaac and he is leaving.  

[JacksonW]

59 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

 

You’re joking right? That’s the only time ever for UND … literally 1 out of 1000

And how many of that 1000 made the NFL staying at UND?

[UND69er]

38 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

So far I'm not real upset about any of these.  They were all either expected or the spots are very fill-able. 

With that said, NIL + transfer portal is really destroying collegiate athletics, as I'm just not interested in supporting these guys to watch them leave after 1 year.  My personal opinion, we should not give portal players a single NIL $1.  If they need NIL to come here, they'll be gone in search of more NIL after 1 year.  Recruit guys who want to be here and play for the coaches.  You want NIL from UND, then stick around and earn it for your junior and senior years.  Also, go film a commercial for Rydell or a local restaurant and actually earn NIL the way it was intended.

Really disappointed in these kids. You get excited, want to support them, and they're gone. 1% of college FB players get drafted. Another half % may get a look see. If you're transferring because of weather, personality conflict, family reason or moving down for play time, ok fine. But unless you were a bonafide 3.5+ star in HS your odds of making a living in FB are damn low. Enjoy college. It's the best 4-5 years of your life. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

28 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

SS is not an outlier in this.  If the Minnesota rumors are true, he may see the field on special teams and that's about it.

No question that the majority of these guys who transfer end up in a worse situation. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

58 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

So far I'm not real upset about any of these.  They were all either expected or the spots are very fill-able. 

With that said, NIL + transfer portal is really destroying collegiate athletics, as I'm just not interested in supporting these guys to watch them leave after 1 year.  My personal opinion, we should not give portal players a single NIL $1.  If they need NIL to come here, they'll be gone in search of more NIL after 1 year.  Recruit guys who want to be here and play for the coaches.  You want NIL from UND, then stick around and earn it for your junior and senior years.  Also, go film a commercial for Rydell or a local restaurant and actually earn NIL the way it was intended.

For the most part, I agree, but as we disputed earlier, there are some circumstances where new guys coming in deserve Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation to allow for them (and their family) to experience UND football. In those select circumstances, NIL support upon transfer is acceptable (and absolutely necessary) in my opinion (and thankfully this staff’s opinion).  
 

Pushing The University of North Dakota football program to the next level requires some risk and sacrifice.

[UND-FB-FAN]

44 minutes ago, wheelsup said:

Two guesses on this 

1) watched Jerry get his head bashed in on designed qb run after designed qb run.. decided that this wasn’t the offense for him.

2) recruited by Isaac and he is leaving.  

One or both would be reasonable conclusions … 

The idea that the depth chart was stacked against him is a generic argument that I’m not buying. He was a true freshman, what would you expect? Of course there’s several ahead of him. Yeah, not buying that. 

Now getting closer to home I can buy. 

[UND1983]

Seems like Higgins wanted to go home based on him listing “home” in his message

[UND-FB-FAN]

22 minutes ago, JacksonW said:

And how many of that 1000 made the NFL staying at UND?

About the same, but technically more than 1. 

Although not lengthy stints like Golladay, as he was the exception, not the rule; pros to the NFL from UND over the past 20 years include:

Matt Waletzko 

Chris Kuper

Will Ratelle 

Greg Hardin

[gfhockey]

1 hour ago, UNDBIZ said:

So far I'm not real upset about any of these.  They were all either expected or the spots are very fill-able. 

With that said, NIL + transfer portal is really destroying collegiate athletics, as I'm just not interested in supporting these guys to watch them leave after 1 year.  My personal opinion, we should not give portal players a single NIL $1.  If they need NIL to come here, they'll be gone in search of more NIL after 1 year.  Recruit guys who want to be here and play for the coaches.  You want NIL from UND, then stick around and earn it for your junior and senior years.  Also, go film a commercial for Rydell or a local restaurant and actually earn NIL the way it was intended.

I think they should have a robinhood account that donors can put money into invested in a etf such as voo and can only access it after graduating from thst school

 

they csn still graduate transfer after but need to stick it out till graduation 

[Big Green]

1 hour ago, sioux24/7 said:

Maybe but what’s the point in a player waiting to announce their intentions? I get the portal isn’t even technically open yet but I would think players want it to be known earlier rather than later for their suitors. 

It also help the program they are leaving.  Schmitt and the staff have a better understanding on what positions they need to fill and scholarships that will be open

 

[Long Snapper 92]

21 minutes ago, gfhockey said:

I think they should have a robinhood account that donors can put money into invested in a etf such as voo and can only access it after graduating from thst school

 

they csn still graduate transfer after but need to stick it out till graduation 

Might be the smartest thing I’ve seen you post on here! That’s awesome!

[JacksonW]

31 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

About the same, but technically more than 1. 

Although not lengthy stints like Golladay, as he was the exception, not the rule; pros to the NFL from UND over the past 20 years include:

Matt Waletzko 

Chris Kuper

Will Ratelle 

Greg Hardin

Most of these players while having dreams of playing professionally, understand that any financial compensation for playing football ends soon- it might be wise to tap into it. Especially if they didn’t grow up financially comfortable 

[UND-FB-FAN]

17 minutes ago, JacksonW said:

Most of these players while having dreams of playing professionally, understand that any financial compensation for playing football ends soon- it might be wise to tap into it. Especially if they didn’t grow up financially comfortable 

Yes, of course. Historically, although close, the odds are just as good playing professionally if you stay at UND as opposed to going to UND and then transferring. 

Now, with that said, we’re in uncharted waters, as you mention, both from the transfer portal/NIL perspective but also from UND’s ability to develop and prepare you for the pros standpoint. New facilities, new investment and emphasis, new staff, new goals…

…but I do not understand for many they won’t believe until they see it. And for that, I get it. Remain skeptical, fine. It’s going to happen, and the student-athletes are better off staying here and being developed by those that recruited them then testing out the open market … it’s a cruel jungle out there.

The small amount relatively speaking that might be gained by transferring is not necessarily worth it if it comes with significant risk.

For the particular student-athletes mentioned in this thread, we don’t know the full story, namely staff input and family/location preferences. 

[Devils]

I would think most of these guys know that realistically the NFL is a very, very long shot.  Even 'depth' guys at bigger FBS schools are getting 100k+ anymore, so I get it.  Similar to the basically the whole Summit league all-conference BB team transferring the last couple years.  There's also the fact that we're dealing with 18-23 year olds who sometimes just want a new direction in life; plenty of transfers know they aren't going to get rich doing so.  

[AJS]

1 hour ago, UND92,96 said:

Last offseason USD lost three starting offensive linemen, a starting receiver, a starting DB and a LB who was their leading tackler to the portal. Then their leading rusher went down with a season-ending injury in September. And obviously now they're the last Dakota team standing. You just never know.

Some teams can lose more than others. USD was a semi-final team the previous year. Every team's situation is unique. 

[sioux24/7]

USD also should have been eliminated when we went down there but I guess they didn’t so I can’t just change history. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

2 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

USD also should have been eliminated when we went down there but I guess they didn’t so I can’t just change history. 

The down slide in 2025 for UND happened down in Vermillion. 
 

Prior to USD: 6-2

After USD game: 2-4

Tougher opponents, sure, but the performances also didn’t look the same.

[JacksonW]

14 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Yes, of course. Historically, although close, the odds are just as good playing professionally if you stay at UND as opposed to going to UND and then transferring. 

Now, with that said, we’re in uncharted waters, as you mention, both from the transfer portal/NIL perspective but also from UND’s ability to develop and prepare you for the pros standpoint. New facilities, new investment and emphasis, new staff, new goals…

…but I do not understand for many they won’t believe until they see it. And for that, I get it. Remain skeptical, fine. It’s going to happen, and the student-athletes are better off staying here and being developed by those that recruited them then testing out the open market … it’s a cruel jungle out there.

The small amount relatively speaking that might be gained by transferring is not necessarily worth it if it comes with significant risk.

For the particular student-athletes mentioned in this thread, we don’t know the full story, namely staff input and family/location preferences. 

I would make the claim that the main risk would be injuries that shorten or end college careers. Also practicing against better competition every day in practice will enhance their skills if they are truly talented more than playing Drake and Indiana State. Playing 3 games a year against very high end individuals vs daily interaction against the same talent in practice 

[gfhockey]

So with the Robin Hood, you can put as much money as you walked in there but it ensures they stay for four years or the donor would know going into it that they only have two years if they transferred us a junior, plus the player will get returns on the investment and they learn about stocks and finances

[UND-FB-FAN]

1 minute ago, JacksonW said:

I would make the claim that the main risk would be injuries that shorten or end college careers. Also practicing against better competition every day in practice will enhance their skills if they are truly talented more than playing Drake and Indiana State. Playing 3 games a year against very high end individuals vs daily interaction against the same talent in practice 

Don’t overlook UND football by not taking into account what the facilities and staff are now doing for these players.

This isn’t the 1990s or even 2010s as far as UND football goes. Student-athletes can now be developed and treated here just as the FBS level (specifically G6) does.

Transferring and going to 3rd or 4th on the depth chart for a P4 school or maybe a top 2 spot at another FCS school or G6 school does not protect them from injury and does not guarantee they “enhance their skill”. I agree injury is a risk, but that can occur anywhere; the additional risk with transfer is a being a pawn in a grand scheme that will chew them up and spit them out at the earliest opportunity.

As said before, you may be skeptical that football student-athletes at UND can be developed into football professionals in Grand Forks, but times are changing. We’ll see. Football intellect is at UND. Facilities now are here as well. For years (and still to this day) people around UND and Grand Forks got excited thinking their 6-year-old could develop and play in the NHL. Hockey is life as such. That line of thinking with football in this area needs to grow here as well. It’s not just ag college of Fargo that can develop. UND will get it done too.  I would recommend supporting UND football’s mission now rather than later. 

[gfhockey]

For example, a guy like Rucker with a robin under counter say we put 100 grand in it this year by the time he graduates we could put another hundred grand in next year with the market average return of 8%. He could get well over 200 grand in it.

[gfhockey]

Plus, for example, a guy like Flemming let’s see we gave him 15 grand last year to come up here well, if he didn’t stay for as long as we anticipated till he graduates, he would have to forfeit that 15 grand and it would go to the alumni foundation or something like that

[gundy1124]

At this point we should just open a partnership with Alabama and take 15-20 kids a year that Alabama wants but doesn't have enough roster spots.  Then each year Alabama takes what they want but also brings in a new crop to UND.  I know some basketball programs are doing this type of partnering.  It's an interesting concept.........

[JacksonW]

21 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Don’t overlook UND football by not taking into account what the facilities and staff are now doing for these players.

This isn’t the 1990s or even 2010s as far as UND football goes. Student-athletes can now be developed and treated here just as the FBS level (specifically G6) does.

Transferring and going to 3rd or 4th on the depth chart for a P4 school or maybe a top 2 spot at another FCS school or G6 school does not protect them from injury and does not guarantee they “enhance their skill”. I agree injury is a risk, but that can occur anywhere; the additional risk with transfer is a being a pawn in a grand scheme that will chew them up and spit them out at the earliest opportunity.

As said before, you may be skeptical that football student-athletes at UND can be developed into football professionals in Grand Forks, but times are changing. We’ll see. Football intellect is at UND. Facilities now are here as well. For years (and still to this day) people around UND and Grand Forks got excited thinking their 6-year-old could develop and play in the NHL. Hockey is life as such. That line of thinking with football in this area needs to grow here as well. It’s not just ag college of Fargo that can develop. UND will get it done too.  I would recommend supporting UND football’s mission now rather than later. 

I’m just saying that all things considered if the money is the same they should stay. Going to portal is finding out what is possible financially. 10-25k more matters to lots of families