The Portal, 2025 Style

[Ram040506]

Someone needs to track success rates for players signed out of the portal. I bet it’s dismal, just don’t understand these decisions unless it’s more about scholarship money.

I somewhat have been tracking Shepherd's the last few years. These are the ones I can remember.

Chandler Brown OT transferred to Colorado State for this 2024 season. This one I had no issue with as he had at least 2 years eligibility left and was going all the way up to FBS. He played in every game this year, but he's definitely a back up OL. Most of his playing time, from what I can tell was as a part of the FG unit. Hopefully he has a chance to earn a starting position in his senior season next year. I'd label this as TBD in terms of a successful transfer.

Seth Morgan QB transferred to New Hampshire for 2024. Started 12 games, I'd have to say this was a successful move for him going up to FCS.

Devon Lynch LB transferred to Western Kentucky for the 2023 season. 2023 season played in 8 games starting 4 (season cut short due to injury). 2024 season was a reserve LB and special teamer. I'd call this somewhat successful. Finishing your career as a back up and only special teams just is a let down for me personally.

Marlon Cook WR transferred to Tennessee Martin FCS for 2023 season. Played his last year as the 3rd or 4th WR option for their offense. Had 18 catches for 193 yds and 4 tds. Did have a catch against Georgia for 9 yds though, so maybe that was worth the transfer in itself... I'd say this was an unsuccessful transfer.

Nathan Muhle DL transferred to Harding for the 2024 season. Was a rotational player on the DL for Harding, but didn't play much in their more competitive games. He was a big loss for Shepherd last year, but according to Twitter he's coming back to Shepherd for his senior season.

I recall a Shippensburg WR that transferred to Penn State for his senior year only to not play almost at all.

[RamPride]

Nathan Muhl back to Shepherd after 1 year away with Harding..portal is a shiny new toy without the batteries..

[RamPride]

Someone needs to track success rates for players signed out of the portal. I bet it’s dismal, just don’t understand these decisions unless it’s more about scholarship money.

[Ram040506]

Shepherd officially lost 2 this weekend:
1. Cam Dorner committed to FBS North Texas
2. Lek Powell committed to FCS Charleston Southern

Good luck to both. Hopefully Dorner finds some playing time. Transfer up for WR's has not had a lot of success stories (especially for 1 year mercenary types). I thought he would have been better off just finding an Air Raid offense in either FCS or one of the midwest D2's and he'd have a better shot of professional ball from that point.

Lek is going to one of the worst FCS teams in the country. Looks like they have a returning sophomore QB who split time. I'm sure he'll have a chance to compete and hope he does well. He will definitely have a better completion percentage then his competition so there is that!

CB Donte Harrison looks to have committed to FBS Northern Illinois of the MAC too.

[Boro33]

And you lost your starting QB, even though it didn't seem he was very appreciated down there.

Shepherd officially lost 2 this weekend:
1. Cam Dorner committed to FBS North Texas
2. Lek Powell committed to FCS Charleston Southern

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Not even close. Nobody in this conference is fully funded. IUP is probably in the vicinity of 25 +/- 5. Gannon might be at 30 +/- 3 but that's Kohls Cash and coupon codes.

I haven't been 'asked' to donate in years. IUP lives off a few (for D2) whales. They have a handful of big donors and a couple big corporate partners.

They are missing out on thousands and thousands of dollars by not soliciting Average Joe Alumni.

Athletic Fundraiser should be a full-time position at IUP (and all of our schools).

Tell somebody that and they'll look at you like you have three heads.

[TheBigCat2192]

Fully funded in what?

IUP isn't even close.

Could have sworn that people on here were telling us that Shepherd was close to fully funded just a year or two ago. Now Shep fans are telling us IUP is closer? Lol.

[Sec10-A-14]

Gannon
Jonathan Bowden, TE
Charles Calhoun, LB
Jerome Lee, RB
Donovan Marcus
Tank Mason, WR
Jaden Self, ATH
Daquan Stevenson, DL
Jayden Whitaker, QB

CORRECTION

DONNY MARCUS PLAYED 23/24 at Central Connecticut State

https://ccsubluedevils.com/sports/fb...cus_donny_1gw7

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP is fully funded, Shepherd is not. It’s more about scholarship money than anything else..

Fully funded in what?

IUP isn't even close.

[Fightingscot82]

IUP is fully funded, Shepherd is not. It’s more about scholarship money than anything else..

Not even close. Nobody in this conference is fully funded. IUP is probably in the vicinity of 25 +/- 5. Gannon might be at 30 +/- 3 but that's Kohls Cash and coupon codes.

[RamPride]

If you have less than five kids in the portal at this stage, your program is doing something right to retain players. Even 5-7 isn’t horrible. When you get to double digits and several are your better players, that’s a problem. How on Earth IUP hasn’t had a single player enter the portal yet is astonishing. You’d think one or two would leave for reasons ranging from being disgruntled to wanting to play closer to home. Shepherd’s long list is most surprising to me.

IUP is fully funded, Shepherd is not. It’s more about scholarship money than anything else..

[EyeoftheHawk]

If you have less than five kids in the portal at this stage, your program is doing something right to retain players. Even 5-7 isn’t horrible. When you get to double digits and several are your better players, that’s a problem. How on Earth IUP hasn’t had a single player enter the portal yet is astonishing. You’d think one or two would leave for reasons ranging from being disgruntled to wanting to play closer to home. Shepherd’s long list is most surprising to me.

[Fightingscot82]

From the school and fans perspective, this is a sh*t show. It is now impossible to build a program in the traditional sense at any level other than top of the P4.

Anyone skeptical of the portal should check out these kids recruiting trails. Many have G5 offers and nearly all have FCS offers. We are the minor league.

[Bart]

Bowes I don’t really care about but losing one of the only kickers on the roster sucks. I don’t know if I can take another season of Riley (assuming he comes back) doing all of the kicking.

Paserk already transferred in from Lackawanna, and played in 2 games. Not much to judge him on. There were 4 other kickers injured too. Crews was the best DL if he goes. Bowes missed nearly 2 of his 4 years with injuries, but would have been nice to have back for a 5th. It seemed the new offense didn't use TE much until injuries took out the wr core.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Bowes I don’t really care about but losing one of the only kickers on the roster sucks. I don’t know if I can take another season of Riley (assuming he comes back) doing all of the kicking.

The market is flooded with kickers. They won't have any trouble finding one.