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Topic: RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Topic: RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

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Casper71
General User

Member Since: 12/1/2006
Post Count: 3,237

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 2:26:29 PM

Hitting division two looks like it can be a home run. Just look at the QB for Ole Miss! On another note, anybody notice how many of these top teams are just kicking the ball out of the end zone every time? Not sure why we continued to kick the ball short last year… Unless our kicker couldn’t get to the end zone?

Cats5
General User

Member Since: 6/14/2017
Location: Chillicothe, OH
Post Count: 1,386

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 2:27:37 PM

This one hurts... Jalen Thomeson in the portal

Jonesy1017
General User

Member Since: 5/14/2014
Location: Dublin, OH
Post Count: 85

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 2:32:09 PM

Updated list as of 1/2/26 at 2:31pm

QB - Tim Carpenter
QB - Matthew Papas
RB - Duncan Brune
WR - Chase Hendricks
WR - Rodney Harris
TE - Mason Williams
TE - Nick Segarra
OL - Aidan Johnson
OL - Ibrahim Kebe
OL - Jordon Jones
DL - Nehemiah Dukes
EDGE - Jay Crable
EDGE - Anas Luqman
S - Jalen Thomeson
S - Taliq Black
K - Alex Kasee
K - Britton Watts

colobobcat66
General User

Member Since: 9/1/2006
Location: Watching the bobcats run outside my window., CO
Post Count: 4,744

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 3:02:29 PM

Cats5 wrote:

This one hurts... Jalen Thomeson in the portal

Grant Keifer says we’re now down to 8 players who started multiple games last year . Sounding more like a complete rebuild coming up.

Diamond Cat
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 975

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 3:10:07 PM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

STVCastle wrote:

I'm going to be as optimistic as possible about this year's portal season.

Most of the guys leaving us didn't even get playing time. The few who did contribute quite a bit are legit losses, but they're not anything we can't come back from.

I'm sure Hauser, the coaching staff, AD Larscheid and (insert new GM here) are well aware that they should make some moves to keep the train moving. Look at how many guys are in the portal now. Hard to believe we won't be able to get a few decent guys from that when the dust settles.

There are at least 75 3 star+ QB's in the portal at the moment. I scrolled through like 4 pages before I gave up.

Bananas how crazy this thing has gotten.

If you trust AI, here are stats for the 2023 and 2024. QB placement rate initially surprised me. However, think 1 per team vs other positions like OL and DL.

FWIW....

Position Group Placement Rate Status of Unplaced Players
Quarterback (QB) ~54% Many "stuck" due to limited starting spots

Offensive Line (OL) ~68% Highest demand; rare for a healthy, experienced OL to go unplaced.

Defensive Line (DL) ~64% Very high demand, especially for interior "big men."

Linebackers ~58% LB's find themselves in the challenging middle ground.

Skill Positions (WR/RB) ~48% High volume of entrants leads to a "glut"; many left without spots.

Defensive Backs (DB) ~52% High demand, but even higher supply (the most common portal entry).

Specialists (K/P/LS) ~35% Lowest success rate; teams rarely use scholarships on transfer kickers.

M.D.W.S.T
General User

Member Since: 12/23/2021
Post Count: 3,680

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 3:36:17 PM

Diamond Cat wrote:

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

STVCastle wrote:

There are at least 75 3 star+ QB's in the portal at the moment. I scrolled through like 4 pages before I gave up.

Bananas how crazy this thing has gotten.

Kicking is so much about the hold, the field, the weather, comfort level with blockers, confidence... I'm amazed any good kicker enters the portal. You don't need to be at Ohio State to go to the NFL. If you're banging kicks at Marist (shoutout Jason Meyers, #1 kicker in the NFL right now), you'll be found.

I don't fault Graham Nicholson, that fight over him was a big deal and he was 1/1 at the position that year, but he won the Groza with Miami after banging 27-28. Goes to Alabama. Which I'm sure was sweet. Lifetime of memories. Probably has some great connections down there. 10 attempts. Zero NFL interest. Never signed even a camp deal.

Now who knows what hes doing. Selling timeshares in Tuscaloosa.

Last Edited: 1/2/2026 3:36:40 PM by M.D.W.S.T

Symbol of Fury
General User

Member Since: 10/11/2013
Post Count: 26

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 3:59:00 PM

Per his X account WR Matthew Dragich is in the portal.

https://x.com/i/status/2007171167363444803

MMGrad2022
General User

Member Since: 9/5/2022
Post Count: 31

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 4:04:13 PM

This season went by too quickly. As it felt like yesterday that I was just completing this list from last season. By popular demand, here is the constantly updating list of FBS, FCS, and D2 offers.

Departures:
Tim Carpenter (QB)—>
Matthew Papas (QB)—>
Callum Wither (QB)—>
Duncan Brune (RB)—>
Chase Hendricks (WR)—>
Rodney Harris (WR)—>
Mason Williams (TE)—>
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)—>

Offers:
FBS:

FCS:
Barry Dillon Jr. (CB) Incarnate Word [Twitter]
Kevin Fay (LS) Gardner Webb [Twitter]
D2:
Sedrick Vessah (DL) California University PA [Twitter]

Arrivals:

Committed to Other Teams:

Last Edited: 1/2/2026 4:23:04 PM by MMGrad2022

NWO CAT 94
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Member Since: 12/19/2025
Post Count: 9

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 8:23:05 PM

MMGrad2022 wrote:

Curious to see where all of these guys go. Is there any chance some of these guys don’t find a spot and come back or does the staff have a strict policy of once you’re in the portal you can’t come back? I know I’ve heard of some schools being that way but wasn’t sure if OU would do the same.

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,700

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 9:12:32 PM

cbarber357 wrote:

OhioCatFan wrote:

How many players entered the portal last year and then backed out? I don't remember, but didn't this happen a few times.

Bradley Weaver entered the portal before last year, then ended up staying one more season before heading to Rutgers this year.

Watching the Navy-UC bowl game the announcer listed a few things that were different this year about the portal. They also had a graphic listing these changes, so it wasn't just an ad lib comment. One of the things listed was that it's now easier for a player who enters the portal to change his mind and stay with his original team. There was no supporting information or details given, and I had an interruption while the stuff was on the screen so I might have missed a word or two. I hope this broadcast crew knew what they were talking about.

Last Edited: 1/3/2026 12:10:58 AM by OhioCatFan

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

cbarber357
General User

Member Since: 9/9/2012
Location: Pickerington, OH
Post Count: 1,159

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/2/2026 10:10:56 PM

NWO CAT 94 wrote:

MMGrad2022 wrote:

I’m pretty sure the policy under Albin/Smith was that they would welcome you back if there was still a spot for them as long as they played the bowl game if they were healthy, which seems reasonable to me.

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,375

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 10:46:24 AM

colobobcat66 wrote:

Cats5 wrote:

This one hurts... Jalen Thomeson in the portal

Grant Keifer says we’re now down to 8 players who started multiple games last year . Sounding more like a complete rebuild coming up.

No idea who Grant Keifer is but here's my question - you have a team that has had multiple successful seasons in a row and is one year removed from a MAC championship. Why are so many people leaving the program?

STVCastle
General User

Member Since: 5/22/2025
Post Count: 355

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 11:14:05 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

colobobcat66 wrote:

Cats5 wrote:

This one hurts... Jalen Thomeson in the portal

Grant Keifer says we’re now down to 8 players who started multiple games last year . Sounding more like a complete rebuild coming up.

I bet you one reason for people leaving would be: Money.

Start finding ways to increase the budget so that you won't have so many people wanting to leave.

colobobcat66
General User

Member Since: 9/1/2006
Location: Watching the bobcats run outside my window., CO
Post Count: 4,744

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 11:19:33 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

colobobcat66 wrote:

Cats5 wrote:

This one hurts... Jalen Thomeson in the portal

Grant Keifer says we’re now down to 8 players who started multiple games last year . Sounding more like a complete rebuild coming up.

Actually it’s Grant Kiefer, he’s the mystery source of any and all inside information for Bobcat Attack.

FrankSwolich
General User

Member Since: 7/29/2024
Location: South Dakota
Post Count: 16

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 11:52:05 AM

You really think these kids who play for 4 different teams in 5 years care about the team “winning?” Just look at these dudes on the playoff teams hitting the portal while their teams are competing for a national championship.

colobobcat66
General User

Member Since: 9/1/2006
Location: Watching the bobcats run outside my window., CO
Post Count: 4,744

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 1:02:05 PM

STVCastle wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

colobobcat66 wrote:

Cats5 wrote:

This one hurts... Jalen Thomeson in the portal

Grant Keifer says we’re now down to 8 players who started multiple games last year . Sounding more like a complete rebuild coming up.

I bet you one reason for people leaving would be: Money.

Start finding ways to increase the budget so that you won't have so many people wanting to leave.

I would also think, as a totally secondary reason, that the coaching drama and no public movement on naming new assistant coaches might hurt player stability some.

MiamiBlowsChunks
General User

Member Since: 4/2/2012
Post Count: 105

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 1:35:53 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

colobobcat66 wrote:

Cats5 wrote:

This one hurts... Jalen Thomeson in the portal

Grant Keifer says we’re now down to 8 players who started multiple games last year . Sounding more like a complete rebuild coming up.

Really?! It's about money & playing at a higher level. Winning is nice but it's not about that anymore. Gotta build a brand and look out for yourself whilst building up the bank account.

There's Only One OU and it ain't in Norman

Bobcatzblitz
General User

Member Since: 7/21/2010
Post Count: 1,777

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 2:20:25 PM

It’s about WINNING too. These guys aren’t training to LOSE. But They aren’t just gonna sit around training at a lower level when there are BETTER OPPORTUNITIES.
You folks kill me with your idiotic hypocrisy. Not once in your ENTIRE lives have you settled for Minimum Wage if there were offers of Higher Pay and Career Advancement / Job Status in fact you spend most of your life Soliciting yourselves for others. But here you are with your “Moral” pearl clutching & “Good Ole Boy” Jim Crow Awe Shucks handwringing. I know a few of you personally and you are on your 2nd,3rd or 4th WIFE..I think these young men are doing GREAT FOR THEMSELVES IN AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE 🇺🇸

PS if this offends you I love that for you.

Last Edited: 1/3/2026 2:27:02 PM by Bobcatzblitz

M.D.W.S.T
General User

Member Since: 12/23/2021
Post Count: 3,680

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 2:58:24 PM

Bobcatzblitz wrote:

Mr. Blitz, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,375

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 3:03:41 PM

Bobcatzblitz wrote:

Wife number 1 - going on 49 years.

Have turned down a job offer that was more money.

I'm just the opposite of "goof ole boy" - just watch a few city council meetings

And as for racism, that one came out of the clear blue.

As I put the second coat of paint on a small TV room in our house, I'm reminded it's not always good to paint with broad brushes.

bobcatsquared
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 5,849

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 3:26:30 PM

Wife number 1 - going on 29 years (congrats Alan, on upcoming Golden Anniversary).

Went from one low-paying career (journalism) to another low-paying career (education) and have turned down opportunities for higher-paying positions.

And while I have no doubt some college football/basketball players are doing the right thing for their situations, I also have a strong feeling many are doing more harm than good for their situations, becoming mercenaries for the highest bidder at the expense of a free college degree.

What Jim Crow has to do with this is beyond me other than showing your ignorance of BA posters and their positions on this matter.

Last Edited: 1/3/2026 3:27:06 PM by bobcatsquared

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,700

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 4:47:19 PM

One wife, +50 years. I've done a good deal to raise the awareness of African American history in Athens County and Southeastern Ohio, including historical markers for Milton Holland and Booker T. Washington, which I suppose classifies me as a Jim Crower.

Addendum:
Booker T. Washington married his second wife, Olivia Davidson, in Athens.
Milton Holland, Medal of Honor recipient, who received the equivalent of an undergraduate education at the Albany Manual Labor University, raised what became Company C of the 5th United States Colored Infantry at the Athens County Fairgrounds.

ExCat21
General User

Member Since: 9/29/2014
Post Count: 1,243

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 5:02:06 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

What is the secret sauce to a long marriage?

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,700

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 5:18:43 PM

ExCat21 wrote:

OhioCatFan wrote:

What is the secret sauce to a long marriage?

Love and commitment to your vows. And, realizing that love is a decision of the will not just an emotion of the moment.

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,375

Status: Offline

RE: 2026 Portal Tracker

Posted: 1/3/2026 5:23:50 PM

ExCat21 wrote:

OhioCatFan wrote:

What is the secret sauce to a long marriage?

I'll start with this one.

Her time, his time and our time and make sure our time is the most important and longest of the three. As a side note to that, you can't keep score. I've known folks though the years who have had an old wrestling "riding clock" by the door that moved in her direction when she left the house and in his when he left. Keeping score will not a long marriage make.

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