The Portal, 2025 Style

[jrshooter]

I have the first entry, and can't say it's surprising. Shippensburg QB Sam Stoner is last seen turning left at Sheetz and heading outta there.

https://twitter.com/SamStoner15/stat...60068448502066

[WarriorVoice]

You have to wonder who is advising these young men...

[Fightingscot82]

You have to wonder who is advising these young men...

When they've spent 5 years playing football at 3 different schools and only have 3 years of credits toward a degree to show for it...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

When they've spent 5 years playing football at 3 different schools and only have 3 years of credits toward a degree to show for it...

It's a mess all around. We now have a de facto feeder system within our league for the top programs. Millersville can develop a high school recruit for a couple years and then he'll spent his best years (Junior and Senior) at IUP or Slippery Rock, etc.

At its core, the transfer portal was meant to serve a purpose. There are certainly instances where players sign with a program and just aren't a good fit. There are lots of programs (many in our league for example) that have terrible cultures. Some players get sold a bill of goods and quickly see the reality.

It's not coincidental some programs don't lose many players.

Keep in mind, too, it's not always the player electing to transfer. Scholarship money is year to year. Coaches miss on a lot of recruits. After a year or so if it's very clear (to the coach) said player isn't going to make it ... time to pack up. That money can be spent better elsewhere. So, essentially the player is cut. We rarely hear that side of the story but it happens a lot. Sometimes these players are complete idiots off the field and the coach can't wait for the season to end to get rid of them.

Every team is going to lose a few each year. When you see the mass exodus, that can spell trouble.

As for the 'program hoppers' ... it is what it is. When I see a 26-year-old still playing D2 sports ... well, he best have at least (1) Masters. Unfortunately many don't even have their first degree yet. That's scary.

[Iupgh]

It's a mess all around. We now have a de facto feeder system within our league for the top programs. Millersville can develop a high school recruit for a couple years and then he'll spent his best years (Junior and Senior) at IUP or Slippery Rock, etc.

At its core, the transfer portal was meant to serve a purpose. There are certainly instances where players sign with a program and just aren't a good fit. There are lots of programs (many in our league for example) that have terrible cultures. Some players get sold a bill of goods and quickly see the reality.

It's not coincidental some programs don't lose many players.

Keep in mind, too, it's not always the player electing to transfer. Scholarship money is year to year. Coaches miss on a lot of recruits. After a year or so if it's very clear (to the coach) said player isn't going to make it ... time to pack up. That money can be spent better elsewhere. So, essentially the player is cut. We rarely hear that side of the story but it happens a lot. Sometimes these players are complete idiots off the field and the coach can't wait for the season to end to get rid of them.

Every team is going to lose a few each year. When you see the mass exodus, that can spell trouble.

As for the 'program hoppers' ... it is what it is. When I see a 26-year-old still playing D2 sports ... well, he best have at least (1) Masters. Unfortunately many don't even have their first degree yet. That's scary.

Portal nightmare has begun, heard Shepherd and SH numerous bodies in portal. Some very interesting to say the least..

[Ram040506]

From Twitter/Facebook for Shepherd:

-LB Harold O'Neal has entered the portal as a grad transfer with 1 year remaining. 2nd Team Defense for PSAC East.
-LB Brodie Carrol has entered the portal with 3 years and a RS remaining. PSAC East Freshman of the year, already offers from Albany, Western Illinois and New Hampshire.
-LB JT Kouame-Yao has entered the portal with 1 year remaining and a redshirt. PSAC East 1st Team LB
-DB Miles Greer has entered the portal with 2 years remaining and a redshirt. PSAC East 1st Team returner 2X, 1st team DB as well.
-WR Cameron Dorner has entered the portal with 1 year remaining and a redshirt. 2nd Team All PSAC East
-DB Donte Harrison has entered the portal as a grad transfer with 1 year remaining and a redshirt. 2nd team all PSAC East Defense.

YAY!

[CUlater]

With the first week (almost) in the books for D2 portal chaos, from my perspective so far two really big losers. Gannon and Shep have been gutted of their top returning talent. Fairly spotty from there so far but those two jump off the page to me.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Portal nightmare has begun, heard Shepherd and SH numerous bodies in portal. Some very interesting to say the least..

Don't be shocked if some Griffins become Crimson Hawks.

Just sayin'

[Ram040506]

With the first week (almost) in the books for D2 portal chaos, from my perspective so far two really big losers. Gannon and Shep have been gutted of their top returning talent. Fairly spotty from there so far but those two jump off the page to me.

The Shep group is some talented players looking for new homes. The one thing I keep reminding myself is that of the positions Shep is losing, they are also the easiest at the D2 level to find replacements at. LB's and DB/WR's flood the portal year to year, so I feel fairly confident that most teams can replace those types of guys. It's when OL/DL starters start testing the portal where I'd be a bit more distraught over. Thankfully, haven't seen that just yet.

[CUlater]

The Shep group is some talented players looking for new homes. The one thing I keep reminding myself is that of the positions Shep is losing, they are also the easiest at the D2 level to find replacements at. LB's and DB/WR's flood the portal year to year, so I feel fairly confident that most teams can replace those types of guys. It's when OL/DL starters start testing the portal where I'd be a bit more distraught over. Thankfully, haven't seen that just yet.

for sure, i saw another one hit the portal this morning, DB Jahmari Nelson. The one that really hurts is Carroll, I think he may have been the best defensive player in the conference. If he wasn't, he would have been next year and only a freshman. He will jump up for sure, quite a talent.

[Fightingscot82]

Miles Greer, Shepherd
Donte Harrison, Shepherd
Donovan Marcus, Gannon
Harold O'Neal, Shepherd
Hunter Robertson, Clarion
Tiar Young, Lock Haven

[ShipAlum]

Hopefully these young men stay on campus a few more weeks to closeout the semester and earn credits.

[Ship69]

I have the first entry, and can't say it's surprising. Shippensburg QB Sam Stoner is last seen turning left at Sheetz and heading outta there.

https://twitter.com/SamStoner15/stat...60068448502066

Not surprising as you say. I think he would be on the depth chart behind Micucci and Gunnels if all three returned next season. Just hope they can keep whoever starts healthy next year and establish some stability at the position.

[ESU Warrior]

Don't be shocked if some Griffins become Crimson Hawks.

Just sayin'

How close are the two schools?

[IUPNation]

How close are the two schools?

40-45 minutes…maybe a little less now that 119 and 22 were widened over the years…