Portal, Depth and Coaching intensity

Dec 14, 2023, 12:24 PM

I know we want to get portal players that come in and make an immediate impact on the field.

There are some examples of this working out for a team such as the WR at FSU this past fall but I have doubts about the repeated success we would have doing this yearly simply because of the players already on the team.

We had some recruiting issues due to covid and coaching changes and NIL, but Dabo and crew have bounced back and we have tremendous young talent on the team and we have much more coming in. Dabo and the staff know where the holes are and they know how to fill them. Those that say we are not doing enough may be right but also need to understand that Dabo has a relationship with these guys already here. We can't afford to create a system of turnover via portal and maintain long term success.

You say and impact player to help out the young freshmen phenoms coming in, but wouldn't that be AW and Stellato now?

As fans, our willingness to cast out a player is easy as we have no skin in the game. Dabo and staff Do have skin in the game with all these guys - a significant amount of effort has gone into the guys already on campus. You cannot take that lightly. (you know some of these guys transferring out have have hurt Dabo in the heart because he put his all into them)

Guys that transfer out are usually guys looking for a primary role on their new team because they are middle pack on our team (usually). I have a friend from WVA that said he would take any Clemson player no question for the Mountaineers. Dabo has a mostly unique situation in regard to talent depth and keeping players happy. Of course there will be exceptions to the rule, but you don't tear down a house and rebuild the framing just because it needs painting.

and speaking of depth: appears we are after some OL and maybe a QB a LB and a DE in the portal or signee.

Shaw is probably a recruiting restart. We only had 2 spots and we had two commits. Now we have an additional spot and we get back on him. Maybe too late maybe not. Then we have a DE need due to the redshirt bolting. SO maybe Dabo is looking at this 6-3 LB as a depth take for LB in case Shaw does not work out and with a look into future as a DE if Shaw does work out.

We know Dabo wants guys with multiple years for development and factor matches the above situation.

Venables brought a lot of intensity and attitude for the persona of the defense. Goodwin may end up being a much better DC but it is not his nature to be a firebrand. Dabo understands College football and I am sure he was wanting assistants that had that natural instinct for intensity and physical play. He got Eason and now he has Rumph. That is a balance move back to the physicality of playing and intensity of playing. Same with Luke on the Offensive side. We need that type chemistry. It will rub off on other units. Dabo cant be the only firebrand and motivator and he made moves to shore up the staff in that regard.

the bottom line is that as fans we want any issue boxed and put away so we have confidence in the chance of winning. I think time will tell that the issues are being boxed just fine.

Go Tigers

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Re: Portal, Depth and Coaching intensity

One thing I'll say is that I don't think all of the guys transferring out have hurt Dabo bc they transferred. I think a LOT of them have moved on bc they were not developing and working so they didn't hit their potential. Some of those guys may have even been encouraged to seek opportunity elsewhere to get some PT. What has handcuffed the roster is that when those guys leave depth and development take a hit. The other side of that is guys that may have figured out, like Cornell Powell, don't hang around and that eventually hurts the top line of the depth chart.

It appears, based on results, Clemson isn't going to pursue top line players to fill the depth chart and most guys in the portal are looking for more playing time or to showcase their talent on a bigger stage. The fits for Clemson from that pool of players is going to be small, if they exist at all.

Dabo has great developers of talent at OL, both DL and both DBs. The development of the WRs, RBs and QBs are on the clock. They are likely in for a similar shake up if production doesn't improve in 2024. If you aren't going after top tier portal talent, you have to develop your recruits and miss on very few. The clock is ticking for the offensive skill positions.

Portal, Depth and Coaching intensity

Re: Portal, Depth and Coaching intensity

There's tons of examples of it working over the last 5 years.

Re: There's tons of examples of it working over the last 5 years.

Re: Portal, Depth and Coaching intensity

Re: Portal, Depth and Coaching intensity

Once you go that route, you will have to continue it

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