Portal Activity

[spiderjpo]

I am starting a new thread so we can share information regarding the portal in one spot. We have enough news going on regarding the portal to have its own thread. Hopefully some of that news will start to be about incoming players moving forward. We certainly do not want to mix in portal exits on the thread regarding the December Early Signing Period. That thread should be a celebration of the new high school kids that are formally committing to the University of Richmond to join our program and continue our proud tradition of championing level football. It should not be hijacked by news of those who choose to leave.

 

[SFspidur]

Sorry, didn't see this until just now. Will post future updates here.

 

[spiderjpo]

I come in peace and really appreciate all the information that each of you provide. Just trying to get everything under one post so we all can read it and add to it as needed.

 

[UR79&Peanuts]

Great idea.I always look forward with great expectations and try to file away things in the past that can’t be changed🏈🕸️🕷️

 

[urfan1]

Great idea.I always look forward with great expectations and try to file away things in the past that can’t be changed🏈🕸️🕷️

Serenity prayer

 

[32counter]

 

[SFspidur]

Another offer out to a D-II transfer...DB Tavare Smith Jr. out of East Central University in Oklahoma.

 

[SFspidur]

Russ ain't happy.

 

[32counter]

Russ ain't happy.

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Left 1 important item off list which would never be admitted to.JOC gave him cover.-

“Huesman, Richmond’s coach since 2017, was asked based on communication with outgoing players to rank the influences of these factors on their decisions:

- UR’s shift from CAA Football to the Patriot League starting in the 2025 season

- potential Name, Image and Likeness financial compensation at another school

- desire to compete at a higher level”



How many transfers leaving from Villanova and William and Mary?Don't see any.

 

[SFspidur]

They're losing a few (I saw Sanchez is leaving 'Nova), but certainly not in the numbers and generally not at the contributor level we're seeing.

 

[spiderjpo]

32 you answered your own question. WM and Villanova remain in the strongest East Coast Conference. We have won that conference the last two years and played for the Championship three years ago. You keep insinuating the coach is the problem. He seemed to do fine in the CAA the last few years and had this program on firm ground despite the Administration. This is partly to blame on our AD. The head coach has remained the same the conference affiliation is what has changed. I am just thankful this staff recruits talented kids and has been winning. Check the stats and see how many FCS programs have won 9 or more games the last three years to see the company Richmond is in with regarding winning. Huesman catches a lot of blame but at least give the man some credit to returning UR to a consistent winning program after the last coach tried to tear us apart because of the Administrations lack of vision.

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Left 1 important item off list which would never be admitted to.JOC gave him cover.-

“Huesman, Richmond’s coach since 2017, was asked based on communication with outgoing players to rank the influences of these factors on their decisions:

- UR’s shift from CAA Football to the Patriot League starting in the 2025 season

- potential Name, Image and Likeness financial compensation at another school

- desire to compete at a higher level”



How many transfers leaving from Villanova and William and Mary? Don't see any.

Its almost like those people who said going to the Patriot League was a bad idea were on to something.....

Still cant believe smart people on this board I respect think this was the right move.

 

[32counter]

32 you answered your own question. WM and Villanova remain in the strongest East Coast Conference. We have won that conference the last two years and played for the Championship three years ago. You keep insinuating the coach is the problem. He seemed to do fine in the CAA the last few years and had this program on firm ground despite the Administration. This is partly to blame on our AD. The head coach has remained the same the conference affiliation is what has changed. I am just thankful this staff recruits talented kids and has been winning. Check the stats and see how many FCS programs have won 9 or more games the last three years to see the company Richmond is in with regarding winning. Huesman catches a lot of blame but at least give the man some credit to returning UR to a consistent winning program after the last coach tried to tear us apart because of the Administrations lack of vision.

Check the CAA records of the teams we beat over the last couple of years.We intentionally lucked out by playing a light schedule.
3 years ago Billy Cosh as OC brought in the 2 VMI ringers to lead the team.Lets not kid ourselves.

 

[Gallipoli]

Check the CAA records of the teams we beat over the last couple of years.We intentionally lucked out by playing a light schedule.
3 years ago Billy Cosh as OC brought in the 2 VMI ringers to lead the team.Lets not kid ourselves.

Huesman is not a great field general.

 

[spiderstudent17]

I understand that Huesman is frustrated more with the system and the current landscape of how transfers are in today's world, but jeez not a good look for him to start throwing out things saying there is no "loyalty" today and how we signed/developed players as if they are required to stay here and owe us anything. Adding this to previous comments saying that he's not a "player's coach" during interviews. Very poor self awareness and sounds like he needs to change his tune/philosophy or else this will continue to happen.

 

[32counter]

I understand that Huesman is frustrated more with the system and the current landscape of how transfers are in today's world, but jeez not a good look for him to start throwing out things saying there is no "loyalty" today and how we signed/developed players as if they are required to stay here and owe us anything. Adding this to previous comments saying that he's not a "player's coach" during interviews. Very poor self awareness and sounds like he needs to change his tune/philosophy or else this will continue to happen.

17

Now you are onto something….You’re breaking the code.But it’s even bigger than that.

 

[spiderjpo]

Bottom line is the program is winning and the coaches have to get some credit for that as they recruit, develop and devise strategy for game situations. We played our best two games in the biggest games this year UD and WM. The playoff game was a big disappointment but players did not make enough plays to win. Off sides at the one on first and goal. TD Passes underthrown or dropped and big plays given up on poor angles taken by defenders.

How do you think WM fans feel? Two years with Top 10 preseason rankings and no playoffs each year with losses to end the year to your rival. They played similar schedules to us. When a group of 18-22 year olds can run off winning streaks like the last two years, somebody is doing something right to keep their attention and motivate them.

I am certainly frustrated at times by coaching decisions and certainly by the losses but I am also thankful for what this staff has done and will hopefully continue to do. Look at our big revenue sport. Underachieving with tons more support than this football program gets.

 

[UR79&Peanuts]

I think the administration at Richmond understands the impact of the portal and did not want to give enrollment spots to athletes
for 2 year training purposes and chose to step down to the Patriot league and attract lower level talent that will stay at Richmond
for their playing days!

 

[spiderjpo]

32Counter, I do want to let you know how much I appreciate all the insight that you provide on this board and I enjoy your posts immensely. I think we are in trying times with the NCAA changes and any stability we can maintain is needed. Coaches have a tough job in this new era with the portal and NIL, so I just can’t totally blame our staff for what we are dealing with right now. If we waited this thing out and left the CAA with either Villanova or WM, I don’t think we would be dealing with as many issues as all of us are discussing. Maybe if we vent together we can get through this until the portal news turns around and we start getting some players instead of losing them.

 

[spiderstudent17]

There’s a difference between winning and building a program. Football is a lot different than basketball where in basketball, you really just need 1 or 2 difference makers who can change the whole outlook of a season. Also, football has a lot more physical development and playing within a system than basketball. So while on the basketball board, I say we should use the transfer portal more to our advantage, here I think developing guys who can be contributors for 2-3 out of 4 or 5 years here is a lot more impactful to building and sustaining a program. So yes, even though we’ve been winning the past few years, it’s not sustainable to essentially replenish the entire starting team every year. Guys will inevitably leave for FBS that will happen, but a lot of impactful guys are leaving this year and may end up going to peer schools. Giving up essentially a starting role here, a chance to be ranked throughout the year, and win more championships to go to a school like Stony Brook or Bryant is not a good look in my opinion. Something where a shift in coaching philosophy and culture may need to take place. Again, let’s not add salt to the wounds by our own doing.

 

[Eight Legger]

I suspect more of our guys are desirable to FBS programs too because we have won a lot. Would you rather have a guy who won two league titles in a row or someone from W&M who failed to live up to expectations two years in a row? I'm not a big Huesman fan and I think some of our success has been a little smoke-and-mirrors as it relates to him specifically (he has some good coaches propping him up a bit), but 79 is right that he deserves credit, too. He is the head coach, and we have had a relatively impressive couple years, regardless of the ease of schedule, etc.

That said, there are some things that are concerning, and if we suddenly fell apart like a house of cards, I think we could point to a few reasons why.

 

[Wood Hall]

I read nothing about players not wanting to play in the Patriot League.

I read about players wanting to leave FCS completely and compete at the FBS level.

Some will. Most, as Russ said, probably won't and will be nothing more than complementary pieces for their new teams.

Maybe if we'd just quit winning championships and start taking fourth or fifth place again, and mix in the odd 3-8 or 4-7 season, we could fire the current coach and get somebody who is a real "players" coach.

 

[SFspidur]

Portal updates on our guys...

- Coleman offered by Coastal Carolina
- Gouveia setting up visit to Virginia Tech
- Mitchell offered by Miami (OH), Memphis, UMass, Western Michigan
- Traynor offered by Wisconsin, Liberty, Jax State, Georgia Southern

 

[spiderjpo]

An example of the portal environment is John Pius, the two time All-American LB from Yorktown, VA that left William and Mary last year after three years to transfer to Wisconsin. His development and play at WM opened many opportunities for him. I’m sure he got solid NIL money and he played in a great environment at Wisconsin. He saw action in all 12 games and his season total in tackles was 21 with 2.5 sacks. He played in some great venues but by no means did his performance or role mirror what he did at the FCS level. His team was mediocre this year at best and it’s hard to build bonds with teammates in one year. It’s still to be determined what his NFL future will be moving forward, although talent will be found by the pros no matter where someone plays. Was it worth it? He is the only one that can answer that question. Hopefully he got his degree from WM and also got to experience FBS football at the highest level. Some decisions turn out great, some not so great and some in the middle. This is the new journey of decision making that coaches and players now go on constantly thanks to the NCAA.

The landing spots for our departing players will answer a lot of questions and their playing time and performance will be interesting to follow moving forward.

 

[SFspidur]

 

[32counter]

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Looking for 7 transfers,4 of which are hopefully mid year transfers.Classes begin Jan 13.

 

[DTSpider]

It’ll be interesting to see how the system changes in the future. The timing of the portal is an absolute mess. Some teams are still playing meaningful games. It doesn’t seem like anyone is really happy with the system.

I still don’t know what to make of all of this. I get people leave for many reasons but it’s an odd combination and I know I’ll never get the full story.

I think I’m just frustrated that the East coast FCS options are terrible. We play a mediocre regular season schedule and how do you evaluate a season with a lot of wins over bad competition with a quick playoff exit? I thought we were supposed to be a top 10 FCS program. Sure hasn’t felt like it in close to a decade. And I am losing hope there’s a path to get back there.

 

[urfan1]

Looking for 7 transfers,4 of which are hopefully mid year transfers.Classes begin Jan 13.

Heard parts of interview so cannot say much, replay should be up on radio site later. Heard above, also said no leaving players mentioned Patriot or money. Said felt they proved could play at higher level and wanted to try.

 

[whampas]

I understand that Huesman is frustrated more with the system and the current landscape of how transfers are in today's world, but jeez not a good look for him to start throwing out things saying there is no "loyalty" today and how we signed/developed players as if they are required to stay here and owe us anything. Adding this to previous comments saying that he's not a "player's coach" during interviews. Very poor self awareness and sounds like he needs to change his tune/philosophy or else this will continue to happen.

Russ' biggest fault is that he speaks the truth.

 

[32counter]

 

[urfan1]

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LOL

 

[ncspiderfan]

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Priceless

 

[AnnapSpider]

There are far more lower level schools than the Power Conferences. With a strong leader
it seems to me that they should shake up things with legal actions, like unfair trade
practices.
Who am I kidding- they don’t have the balls- football or basketball.

 

[DTSpider]

SMU QB leaving - you have players from the playoff teams making announcements. Insanity.

Lane Kiffin was ranting - said it would be the equivalent of NFL free agency starting the end of the regular season. If the big boys don’t like it, maybe there’s a chance it changes. Haven’t looked to see if any FCS teams still in the playoffs have had noise.

 

[Gallipoli]

I think the administration at Richmond understands the impact of the portal and did not want to give enrollment spots to athletes
for 2 year training purposes and chose to step down to the Patriot league and attract lower level talent that will stay at Richmond
for their playing days!

And to reduce costs, at the expense of the football program.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Duke QB leaving before Gator Bowl.

 

[32counter]

 

[GKiller]

I think the administration at Richmond understands the impact of the portal and did not want to give enrollment spots to athletes
for 2 year training purposes and chose to step down to the Patriot league and attract lower level talent that will stay at Richmond
for their playing days!

Much truth to this imo

 

[SFspidur]

More offer updates...

Mitchell: Virginia Tech, North Texas, Coastal Carolina, UTSA, UAB
Hayes: Campbell, Stony Brook, Murray State, Samford
ZPS: Furman, Mercyhurst, Western Illinois, UT Martin
Gouveia: Coastal Carolina

 

[urfan1]

More offer updates...

Mitchell: Virginia Tech, North Texas, Coastal Carolina, UTSA, UAB
Hayes: Campbell, Stony Brook, Murray State, Samford
ZPS: Furman, Mercyhurst, Western Illinois, UT Martin
Gouveia: Coastal Carolina

only Mitchell potentially stepping up?