The Portal, 2025 Style

[Ship69]

Arneson is a stud. If he can get some blocking, he's going to thrive.

That's been a big "if" at Ship the past couple of seasons. They have been unable to keep upperclassmen on the o-line, so the Raiders are constantly starting freshmen and sophs. The results have been that a team known for its high-scoring offenses just a few years back has been lingering near the bottom recently. And it's probably no accident that they've had injury trouble at the QB position during this time. They need to get it straightened out for Ship to contend in the East again.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's been a big "if" at Ship the past couple of seasons. They have been unable to keep upperclassmen on the o-line, so the Raiders are constantly starting freshmen and sophs. The results have been that a team known for its high-scoring offenses just a few years back has been lingering near the bottom recently. And it's probably no accident that they've had injury trouble at the QB position during this time. They need to get it straightened out for Ship to contend in the East again.

OL is obviously a very difficult spot to plug and play young guys. Aside from typically being undersized, they just aren't physically strong enough yet. Their speed isn't developed yet.

They take some beatings early and their confidence gets shot.

Our freshmen OL were all 'high school big and strong'. Now they have some real nasty dudes across from them - often times 3-4 years older, much faster and stronger, etc.

That's probably the one position you absolutely want to redshirt all of them. It just takes time. Not to mention, of course, when the young OL takes a beating, in turn so do the RBs and QB.

[EyeoftheHawk]

OL is obviously a very difficult spot to plug and play young guys. Aside from typically being undersized, they just aren't physically strong enough yet. Their speed isn't developed yet.

They take some beatings early and their confidence gets shot.

Our freshmen OL were all 'high school big and strong'. Now they have some real nasty dudes across from them - often times 3-4 years older, much faster and stronger, etc.

That's probably the one position you absolutely want to redshirt all of them. It just takes time. Not to mention, of course, when the young OL takes a beating, in turn so do the RBs and QB.

You have zero chance without a decent O-line regardless of how many good skill guys you have. IUP had a front row seat for this two seasons ago, and some schools like Ship have been suffering from it for several seasons in a row. It’s a domino effect on the rest of your recruiting too because if I’m a good skill player on offense I’m sure as heck not going to a school where I’m going to get lit up like a Christmas tree every Saturday.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Former IUP star RB Dayjure Stewart is still looking for a home.

Must admit I'm fairly shocked. He had his issues. But, legally speaking, nothing crazy.

Many, many less talented guys with much more severe baggage get signed.

[Fightingscot82]

Former IUP star RB Dayjure Stewart is still looking for a home.

Must admit I'm fairly shocked. He had his issues. But, legally speaking, nothing crazy.

Many, many less talented guys with much more severe baggage get signed.

Makes you wonder if he burned his bridges so bad Tort isn't able to give him a reference.

[WarriorVoice]

Former IUP star RB Dayjure Stewart is still looking for a home.

Must admit I'm fairly shocked. He had his issues. But, legally speaking, nothing crazy.

Many, many less talented guys with much more severe baggage get signed.

By the Kansas City Chiefs...I'll see myself out...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Makes you wonder if he burned his bridges so bad Tort isn't able to give him a reference.

Hell, I'd like to see him back in Indiana for his final year.

Time served. Move on.

[iupgroundhog]

Hell, I'd like to see him back in Indiana for his final year.

Time served. Move on.

He's missed a lot of time. Would he be the same player on the field that we remember. Not to mention, if there were a 3rd incident, how would Tort look?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He's missed a lot of time. Would he be the same player on the field that we remember. Not to mention, if there were a 3rd incident, how would Tort look?

For blanks and giggles:

He'd likely look fresh, recharged and ripped. His workout tapes from recently are impressive. He's still young (22 or 23). I'd guess he's pretty hungry, too.

The latter part is the dilemma. He did have 'incidents' but not many of the charges actually stuck (when it was all said and done). So, could they keep him under control from August to November? It's a gamble some would be willing to take.

For the record, I don't think Tort will even entertain it. But, they do need some RB help. Dayjure needs a home. People do change and kids (usually) grow up.

We've brought a lot worse than him in here over the years. He is a game-breaker. His incidents weren't 'that' bad.

[TheBigCat2192]

Former IUP star RB Dayjure Stewart is still looking for a home.

Must admit I'm fairly shocked. He had his issues. But, legally speaking, nothing crazy.

Many, many less talented guys with much more severe baggage get signed.

Stewart spent a postgrad season at Fork Union, was technically a freshman in 2020, and redshirted at IUP; presumably in 2021, so he’s probably gonna be close to 25 by the time the next season starts, isn’t he? Maybe he decided it’s time to hang up the spikes and move on to the real world if he doesn’t get a big enough offer.

[Iupgh]

He's missed a lot of time. Would he be the same player on the field that we remember. Not to mention, if there were a 3rd incident, how would Tort look?

U guys ever think maybe his academic standing is poor. The portal can be a stonewall academically if your grades are a mess. No team likes to take on baggage that u need to get eligible. That would be my guess on his non portal action….just sayin.

[Ship69]

You have zero chance without a decent O-line regardless of how many good skill guys you have. IUP had a front row seat for this two seasons ago, and some schools like Ship have been suffering from it for several seasons in a row. It’s a domino effect on the rest of your recruiting too because if I’m a good skill player on offense I’m sure as heck not going to a school where I’m going to get lit up like a Christmas tree every Saturday.

It's amazing how so many people, even some who often watch football, underestimate the importance of the o-line. One of the best examples were Lombardi's Green Bay teams of the '60s. They had a capable QB in Bart Starr. Paul Hornung was a great all-around athlete, but he was no speed demon at halfback. Didn't matter. They'd just run Hornung and Taylor at you for 4, 3, 5, and 6 yards all the way down the field. I remember listening to Bears-Packers games on the radio then and being frustrated as a teen Bears fan listening to the Packers inexorably march down the field time after time. Even when Starr was knocked out for most of the season and Hornung was suspended for gambling in '63, they still darn near won the title with an 11-2-1 record. The only team to beat them that year was the Bears, who beat them twice and went 11-1-2. Watching those guys block an end sweep was a thing of beauty.

[Bart]

It's amazing how so many people, even some who often watch football, underestimate the importance of the o-line. One of the best examples were Lombardi's Green Bay teams of the '60s. They had a capable QB in Bart Starr. Paul Hornung was a great all-around athlete, but he was no speed demon at halfback. Didn't matter. They'd just run Hornung and Taylor at you for 4, 3, 5, and 6 yards all the way down the field. I remember listening to Bears-Packers games on the radio then and being frustrated as a teen Bears fan listening to the Packers inexorably march down the field time after time. Even when Starr was knocked out for most of the season and Hornung was suspended for gambling in '63, they still darn near won the title with an 11-2-1 record. The only team to beat them that year was the Bears, who beat them twice and went 11-1-2. Watching those guys block an end sweep was a thing of beauty.

Bart Starr was the man, but Bloom had an example under HC Hale and OL coach Brian McBryan. They had great O-lines with NFL caliber players and they ran the ball. Coach would run 4 plays over and over and challenge the defense to stop them. No trickier, just execute better. Resulted in 2 Harlon Hill winners at RB and a nice run in the league with minimal scholarships.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

U guys ever think maybe his academic standing is poor. The portal can be a stonewall academically if your grades are a mess. No team likes to take on baggage that u need to get eligible. That would be my guess on his non portal action….just sayin.

It could be academics but I doubt it. He stayed eligible his whole time at IUP.

I know he's no choir boy, but his crimes don't justify a death sentence. He beat up a door at 2 a.m. His second instance was worse. No question. But, again, not a whole lot stuck.

Again, not saying IUP has any interest (at all, that I know of). I'm just shocked somebody hasn't signed him. He is certainly looking for a home.

I'll check back in on him in May. A lot changes after some RBs get hurt in Spring ball and teams go in to panic mode.

[EyeoftheHawk]

It's amazing how so many people, even some who often watch football, underestimate the importance of the o-line. One of the best examples were Lombardi's Green Bay teams of the '60s. They had a capable QB in Bart Starr. Paul Hornung was a great all-around athlete, but he was no speed demon at halfback. Didn't matter. They'd just run Hornung and Taylor at you for 4, 3, 5, and 6 yards all the way down the field. I remember listening to Bears-Packers games on the radio then and being frustrated as a teen Bears fan listening to the Packers inexorably march down the field time after time. Even when Starr was knocked out for most of the season and Hornung was suspended for gambling in '63, they still darn near won the title with an 11-2-1 record. The only team to beat them that year was the Bears, who beat them twice and went 11-1-2. Watching those guys block an end sweep was a thing of beauty.

I enjoy hearing these old Packers stories. I wish I was around to enjoy that era. I’ll be near Madison, WI all weekend and will see countless Packers shirts, hats, and jerseys even in March. If you want to get a Packers fan pi$$ed off, tell them they “only” have four Super Bowl wins.