The Portal, 2025 Style

[TheBigCat2192]

Yes but Mulrooney is online pimping his own guys in the portal helping them get D1 offers. I've never seen that before and I have to assume it’s part of the gentleman's agreement with getting some bigger transfers to come to LH.

Are we talking good D1 or Mercyhurst-tier “D1”? I do get the impression that Mulrooney is more plugged into the portal mentality than some of the other coaches in the league but his biggest portal successes have been grad students like Collier and Romano. I’m curious to see if his salesmanship is enough to get the WR, Young, an FCS look and if not what happens. Does he welcome Young back or tell him to find some other D2 to finish his collegiate career at?

[Fightingscot82]

How many "stars" do you think that accounts for? Chris Collier found sucess on Sundays so far, but how many others won't? That's the choice these kids are making.

Yes but Mulrooney is online pimping his own guys in the portal helping them get D1 offers. I've never seen that before and I have to assume its part of the gentleman's agreement with getting some bigger transfers to come to LH.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They are 10-12 over the last two years, plain and simple. That is not good, plain and simple. I don’t know what’s so hard to understand about that. As I said, it’s way better than what they were but it’s nowhere near competing for anything more than a winning season, which they still haven’t had since 1981. I don’t take anything away from Mulrooney at least getting them to the point of being competitive, but that’s a far cry from proving he’s the “master” of the revolving door. We’re talking about how close their losses were, not how many big wins they have? Give me a break.

Sounds like another team I follow.

You gotta give him one thing ... Tort is the 'master' of finding any possible way to lose a big game. He's made it an art form. You actually can't make some of this crap up.

[EyeoftheHawk]

That's a laughable comment. I mean, do you have a crystal ball for this stuff?
.
Look, I don't know what next year looks like. Nobody does. But Mulrooney has proven himself to be the master of the "revolving door" and that will go a long way. Assuming that he is still there, his method is not going to change.

You say they were still "not good." They were 5-6, yes, with arguably the toughest schedule in the PSAC due to crossover games against Cal and IUP on back-to-back weeks. We (IUP) always complained about having to play SRU and CAL on successive weeks. LHU had the same thing.

They didn't pull of a winning season but they lost to Cal, IUP, and ESU by a total of 13 points. The program is right there. If he can continue to recruit like he has already it's more likely that they are a contender in the East. I would bet on that. but I don't have a crystal ball. I think the revolving door is probably a built-in aspect of the program. Luckily for LHU and Mulrooney, the door swings both ways.

They are 10-12 over the last two years, plain and simple. That is not good, plain and simple. I don’t know what’s so hard to understand about that. As I said, it’s way better than what they were but it’s nowhere near competing for anything more than a winning season, which they still haven’t had since 1981. I don’t take anything away from Mulrooney at least getting them to the point of being competitive, but that’s a far cry from proving he’s the “master” of the revolving door. We’re talking about how close their losses were, not how many big wins they have? Give me a break.

[WarriorVoice]

I think that's a noticeable difference with Mulrooney at Lock Haven. Its clear there are several guys he's taken with a deal that they can use Lock Haven to upcycle their career - and he supports them the whole way. Its undoubtedly a pitch to some of these guys. Go to Lock Haven, be a D2 star, then jump to D1 or get combine looks. Its not a terrible strategy: it embraces the emerging role of the portal and may get you some guys who would never sniff out your DMs.

How many "stars" do you think that accounts for? Chris Collier found sucess on Sundays so far, but how many others won't? That's the choice these kids are making.

[WarriorVoice]

That's tough. Unlike declaring for the draft, the portal is like that line of no return in Field of Dreams. I only know of a couple players who have successfully come crawling back to their original team after entering the portal. Also heard one of them lost scholarship money in the move.

Most coaches have already alotted money and roster spots to other players. Moving this year is riskier than ever with the shrinking of FCS rosters next year.

[Fightingscot82]

Well, these coaches all talk tough. It's one thing when Joe Blow goes in to the portal. It's a whole different scenario when Johnny Star does.

Tort preaches once you go ... you are no longer welcome.

I want to see what happens the first time a star goes, changes his mind and wants to come back. 'Stars' and the 'nameless, faceless' have much different rules in football (and life).

I think that's a noticeable difference with Mulrooney at Lock Haven. Its clear there are several guys he's taken with a deal that they can use Lock Haven to upcycle their career - and he supports them the whole way. Its undoubtedly a pitch to some of these guys. Go to Lock Haven, be a D2 star, then jump to D1 or get combine looks. Its not a terrible strategy: it embraces the emerging role of the portal and may get you some guys who would never sniff out your DMs.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's tough. Unlike declaring for the draft, the portal is like that line of no return in Field of Dreams. I only know of a couple players who have successfully come crawling back to their original team after entering the portal. Also heard one of them lost scholarship money in the move.

Well, these coaches all talk tough. It's one thing when Joe Blow goes in to the portal. It's a whole different scenario when Johnny Star does.

Tort preaches once you go ... you are no longer welcome.

I want to see what happens the first time a star goes, changes his mind and wants to come back. 'Stars' and the 'nameless, faceless' have much different rules in football (and life).

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That is incorrect info. Yes, once they are entered into the portal they are off the roster and can no longer participate in team activities. They don't lose their scholarship. They keep their scholarship till the end of the academic school year since they completed the season of record.

Correct. That 'semester' is already paid.

[IUPalum]

Once a player declares that they want to enter the portal, and it is entered, they are no longer considered 'on the roster' and have relinquished their scholarship for the remainder of the year.

That is incorrect info. Yes, once they are entered into the portal they are off the roster and can no longer participate in team activities. They don't lose their scholarship. They keep their scholarship till the end of the academic school year since they completed the season of record.

[iupgroundhog]

The love fest for Lock Haven was short lived. The reality is they were still 10-12 over the last two seasons and while that’s a dramatic improvement, it’s still not good. Now it looks like it could be a revolving door.

That's a laughable comment. I mean, do you have a crystal ball for this stuff?
.
Look, I don't know what next year looks like. Nobody does. But Mulrooney has proven himself to be the master of the "revolving door" and that will go a long way. Assuming that he is still there, his method is not going to change.

You say they were still "not good." They were 5-6, yes, with arguably the toughest schedule in the PSAC due to crossover games against Cal and IUP on back-to-back weeks. We (IUP) always complained about having to play SRU and CAL on successive weeks. LHU had the same thing.

They didn't pull of a winning season but they lost to Cal, IUP, and ESU by a total of 13 points. The program is right there. If he can continue to recruit like he has already it's more likely that they are a contender in the East. I would bet on that. but I don't have a crystal ball. I think the revolving door is probably a built-in aspect of the program. Luckily for LHU and Mulrooney, the door swings both ways.

[Fightingscot82]

Tahir Mills RB, and Justin Cook WR enter the Portal from ESU. Mills would clearly be the #1 back next year after splitting time with Tyriq Lewis this season. Both Mills and Lewis were PSAC 1st Team selections. Cook earned Specialist honors this season as a kick returner.

That's tough. Unlike declaring for the draft, the portal is like that line of no return in Field of Dreams. I only know of a couple players who have successfully come crawling back to their original team after entering the portal. Also heard one of them lost scholarship money in the move.

[WarriorVoice]

Tahir Mills RB, and Justin Cook WR enter the Portal from ESU. Mills would clearly be the #1 back next year after splitting time with Tyriq Lewis this season. Both Mills and Lewis were PSAC 1st Team selections. Cook earned Specialist honors this season as a kick returner.

[CALUPA69]

Once a player declares that they want to enter the portal, and it is entered, they are no longer considered 'on the roster' and have relinquished their scholarship for the remainder of the year.

Thanks for that clarification.

[RockPride]

Yes and no. I believe they would have to leave the team. They're not "in" until the school approves them.

Once a player declares that they want to enter the portal, and it is entered, they are no longer considered 'on the roster' and have relinquished their scholarship for the remainder of the year.