Maybe Fordham was offering more money.  Fordham has over a $1 billion endowment.  I think over time you are going to see some schools you'd never suspect become football powerhouses because in this current era they can buy players that they couldn't recruit under the previous system.  Vanderbilt comes to mind in this regard.  I don't know anything specifically about Fordham's desire to pay players, but they probably have the resources, and like Vanderbilt they would be recapturing former glory if they used the current system to improve recruiting.

In terms of a kicker for next year, why don't we just recruit a kicker from Athens High School.  That worked really well for us in the past! 

Could it be a Green or two? I remember them punting at least.

Transferring down happens more often than not.

He didn't play last season. Never cracked the two-deep. Didn't play much the season before. Or the season before that.

He's from Maryland though, so likely wants to play and back home to Towson it is.

There are multiple reasons a player might be in the portal. Some, like Hendricks, can expect a lot of NIL, but that's not the only reason. Others may be buried on the depth chart, and they just want to play. Others are told by the coaches that there is no room on the roster for them anymore, and that they should find another alternative. Still others might not like Athens, or might not like the coaches, or maybe they broke up with a GF, and just want to be somewhere else.

Did Player X leave because he hopes to get NIL? Or because he was asked to leave? Or because he just doesn't like Athens? For any of the players who go into the portal, in the end, it doesn't matter. The will move on, and meanwhile a replacement will be found, and life goes on for everyone. It's the new reality, and we need to accept it.

I would bet 50% of the portal jumpers are just guys giving it their last best shot to play. Thats why there are so many down transfers. And LinkedIn University transfers.

20%-30% are rotation guys who are looking to start, coach left, family trouble, homesick, etc

15% are starters looking to move up in competition or to a better team, some decent cash.

1%-5% are chasing a real NIL pay day.

And maybe it's more than that 5% and I'm being naive, but outside of someone like Chase - who could ACTUALLY command a couple hundred thousand dollars for his services, others are barely sniffing enough for a used car.


Someone like Foster, put in his time, went to Oklahoma State - big time program, bit garbage lately, but still a big-time program, he didn't play much, they didn't win much, he didn't enjoy his experience (allegedly), but I get it. His last, best shot to play in front of 80K people every single week. I would've done the same. Kac? Mason? No brainer. Chase? No brainer. It's the others who are left out in the cold I'd like to shake.

https://x.com/i/status/2008029326084915497

Alcorn State DB visiting Tuesday and Wednesday. Also has an offer from CMU.

Many hitting the portal are essentially firing their coach and actually are the one's taking a financial risk by leaving a scholarship or NIL on the table. But keep blaming the kids. Hopefully, you learned something today.

Which post specifically has you coming out of the closet, Ricky?

Do you have something you want to get off your chest?

Departures:

Tim Carpenter (QB)—>
Matthew Papas (QB)—>
Callum Wither (QB)—>
Duncan Brune (RB)—>
Chase Hendricks (WR)—>
Rodney Harris (WR)—>
Matthew Dragich (WR)—>
Mason Williams (TE)—>Ohio State
Nick Segarra (TE)—>
Aidan Johnson (OL)—>
Ibrahim Kebe (OL)—>
Jordon Jones (OL)—>
Nehemiah Dukes (DL)—>
Jay Crable (DL)—>
Anas Luqman (DL)—>
Danny Novickas (DL)—>
Jalen Thomeson (S)—>
Taliq Black (S)—>
Alex Kasee (K)—>
Britton Watts (K)—>
David Dellenbach (K)—>


Offers:

FBS-
Victor Rosa (RB) UConn
Preston Bowman (WR) Kentucky

FCS-
Andrew Body (QB) Alabama State
Xai'Shaun Edwards (RB) Houston Christian
Darius Neals (OL) Tennessee State
Vasean Washington (OL) Dartmouth
Barry Dillon Jr. (DB) Incarnate Word
Geoffrey McKelton Jr. (DB) Alcorn State

D2-
Mustafa Feika (OL) Tiffin
Shaun Shahu (OL) Saginaw Valley State
Sedrick Vessah (DL) California University PA
LaRawn Robinson (LB) Southern Connecticut State
Caleb Saner (DL) Southwest Baptist
Christian Aiken (LB) University of Indianapolis
Mo Conteh (DB) Old Dominican
Lorenzo Payne IV (DL) West Florida

Confirmed Visits:
FBS- Victor Rosa (RB) UConn [January 5th-6th]
Preston Bowman (WR) Kentucky [January 5th]
FCS-Geoffrey McKelton Jr. (DB) Alcorn State [January 6th-7th]
D2-Christian Aiken (LB) University of Indianapolis [January 3rd]

Arrivals:
Kevin Fay (LS) Gardner Webb
Andrew Metzger (TE) Kansas State

Committed to Other Teams:
Austin Stief (DL) Davenport—> Ball State
Danny Royster (DL) University of Indianapolis—> James Madison

Yep, it was the Green brothers I was referring to. But, Yazdani is also local enough, dogface, to be included as an Athens County gem, even though he graduated from a different AHS. My somewhat sacrcastic comment was meant to take a friendly dig at all of those myriad of posts about our kicking woes and looking everywhere to find one for next year. The answer might be in our backyard rather than Wheelersburg, Ashland or Saskatchewan.

Edit: This Green brother specifically:
https://w.wiki/HKnc

Rams have to worry about bigger fish than paying FCS players in a City that doesn't care about college football

"Fordham University implemented budget cuts and a hiring freeze for the 2026 fiscal year, driven by an unexpected deficit from lower-than-expected enrollment for the class of 2025 and federal funding uncertainties, impacting departmental spending and leading to significant reductions in some academic programs like the Honors Program, alongside layoffs and reduced hours for its WFUV radio station due to federal funding cuts. These actions include pausing non-essential hiring, reducing non-staff costs, and affecting student work opportunities, despite efforts to manage finances without layoffs, according to Fordham University CFO Tokumbo Shobowale"

Team went 4-8 but Doggette did lead the team with 4 sacks

Then grow a pair and call it out Rick