Off-season Portal additions/losses

[BelligerentBobcat]

When will we start seeing MSU offers to transfers? I know Vigen has been on the road visiting HS recruits, but with so many guys entering the portal these first few days, it seems as if other Big Sky teams are jumping on the opportunity while we are sitting back. I know we have been developing and promoting young guys within the program and only piecing in transfers where necessary, but with some guys already leaving it would be nice to see some Bobcat offers pursuing some guys who can have an impact immediately.

How do you know offers haven’t been made? I try to track this stuff but it’s not a science. I sometimes just find offers by chance. There are guys out there that don’t always post every offer. Someone mentioned a Texas O-lineman transfer that is being recruited by the Cats but the young man hasn’t posted about it.

This guy. He is being looked at by the Cats but hasn’t actually posted an offer on his Twitter page.

I’m sure there are plenty of offers/interest out that we haven’t heard about. I should have clarified and asked if anyone has any leads. I get all my info from who/what I follow on X/Twitter, and whatever algorithm they use to show me my “For You” posts. Jack Kelly of Weber is an example. Saw he has offers from um, other Big Sky & FCS schools. Guy is a stud and with Nolan graduating it seems it would be wise to throw our name in the mix and make a run at him. Even if the coaches have bigger plans with O’Reilly, etc. competition is never going to hurt—especially if you can land a quality player like that. I guess I liked Choate’s approach of throwing out a ton of offers to quality players who fit our mold and letting everyone know about Montana State. We aren’t losing many guys to graduation but with the portal now, I think we’ll always have a few extra spots to fill up one way or another.

Coaches can’t announce who they’ve offered, nor should they want to.

Like AFCAT said, we don’t know. Not a person here knew we were recruiting ULH for example.

The coaches have recruited pretty well so far. I think we’ll be okay.

[BelligerentBobcat]

And Jack Kelly has multiple FBS offers. He’s not coming here, or anywhere else in the BSC. That would be a huge slap to his former team, and I don’t see that happening.

[Catsrgrood]

I do hope that we’re more active in the transfer portal this year in general.
Between graduation and the portal, there are obviously some holes to fill, at least with some quality depth pieces.

Next year just feels like we need to be all in for a title shot. Even with some portal losses, there is a lot of talent returning that will be seniors. Pair that with the amount that NDSU and SDSU will lose to graduation this year and it all adds up to next year having a real shot at the title.

Going into this season I felt strongly that we had a clear 2 year window to win a title. This year was a disappointment in that way, I really hope next year is different.

Development is key, but if we can go grab a couple difference makers and immediate contributors in the portal, I think that can be the difference of being good and being great next year.

[AFCAT]

I absolutely believe the Cats will use the portal more this season. They can't afford not to use the portal now. I do watch who Vigen starts to follow on Twitter, especially high school kids. If Vigen is following a young man, then it's more likely an offer is coming or has already been made. I also try and search for "Montana State" on twitter but some young men don't put that on their offers, so it's drives me nuts sometimes to find a guy who was offered weeks before and I didn't see it because they didn't use the wording I search for. Also search for "Gocatsgo," "GoCats,", and other variations that the Cats use. I do monitor some of the other MSU coaches but they follow so many young men that it's tough to figure out who they are really interested in sometimes.

[MTmadeCat]

And Jack Kelly has multiple FBS offers. He’s not coming here, or anywhere else in the BSC. That would be a huge slap to his former team, and I don’t see that happening.

I see your point and I agree, he was just an example of a great player getting looks from MSU caliber programs. Plus, the FBS schools he’s been offered from aren’t exactly close to the top tier ….except OSU, who just lost their coach and conference.

[Cats and Dogs]

I agree. The Bobcats will have to utilize the portal successfully in order to remain a top tier FCS program. The portal is not going away and smart staffs will have to use it to offset their own portal losses as well as upgrading roster talent. They will have to find starter level + talent this off season to be a title contender in 2024. Excited to see who they attract to Bozeman!

[Cats and Dogs]

You get 5 picks for 2024 starters recruited from the portal...what do you see as the biggest needs/upgrades? In no particular order my wish list would be:
Placekicker
Linebacker
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
HBack

[technoCat]

Defensive tackle and linebacker are myv1, 2, 3, 4 and 5....

[AFCAT]

You get 5 picks for 2024 starters recruited from the portal...what do you see as the biggest needs/upgrades? In no particular order my wish list would be:
Placekicker
Linebacker
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
HBack

Placekicker
Linebacker
Linebacker
Defensive tackle
Defensive tackle

[SparkCat]

You get 5 picks for 2024 starters recruited from the portal...what do you see as the biggest needs/upgrades? In no particular order my wish list would be:
Placekicker
Linebacker
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
HBack

Hback? Like another Snell fullback type? I think or at least hope Valcin will be able to fill that immediately.

[SparkCat]

You get 5 picks for 2024 starters recruited from the portal...what do you see as the biggest needs/upgrades? In no particular order my wish list would be:
Placekicker
Linebacker
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
HBack

Placekicker
Linebacker
Linebacker
Defensive tackle
Defensive tackle

This is the dream list. I just feel like we need to find a battle tested QB too

[nanacat]

I know this is about Cats players, but someone on another post mentioned several of our rivals are likely going to be in rebuild due to alot of seniors on their teams? I suppose those still playing won't see the portal effects until after they lose out. Is that true though? Gris, bizon, and bunny rabbits all losing a bunch?

[catatac]

Dumb question here but do backups at bigger programs get much NIL money at all? I’m guessing it varies greatly. I’m just wondering how we will land stud players moving forward if it’s all about show me the money.

[AFCAT]

Dumb question here but do backups at bigger programs get much NIL money at all? I’m guessing it varies greatly. I’m just wondering how we will land stud players moving forward if it’s all about show me the money.

If they don't get a lot of NIL and they still want to play. I'm sure Davis got some NIL money at Wisconsin, just like most MSU players do, but he came to MSU because he wanted play more than he was. I don't believe the Cats will find a lot of Stud players via the portal though.

[AFCAT]

You get 5 picks for 2024 starters recruited from the portal...what do you see as the biggest needs/upgrades? In no particular order my wish list would be:
Placekicker
Linebacker
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
HBack

Hback? Like another Snell fullback type? I think or at least hope Valcin will be able to fill that immediately.

I was wondering what happened to Max Murphy. I was hoping he'd take a step up this season and contribute. I guess he isn't developing as fast as I hoped or maybe he was injured.

[AFCAT]

I know this is about Cats players, but someone on another post mentioned several of our rivals are likely going to be in rebuild due to alot of seniors on their teams? I suppose those still playing won't see the portal effects until after they lose out. Is that true though? Gris, bizon, and bunny rabbits all losing a bunch?

Jacks are losing a ton of players.

[SparkCat]

Dumb question here but do backups at bigger programs get much NIL money at all? I’m guessing it varies greatly. I’m just wondering how we will land stud players moving forward if it’s all about show me the money.

If they don't get a lot of NIL and they still want to play. I'm sure Davis got some NIL money at Wisconsin, just like most MSU players do, but he came to MSU because he wanted play more than he was. I don't believe the Cats will find a lot of Stud players via the portal though.

I think the studs that will be found will end up being hidden gems we take a chance on. Or like you said the more traditional drop downs like Davis, and I’d take a kid that just wants to play any day over some kid going onto their 3rd school.

[AFCAT]

Dumb question here but do backups at bigger programs get much NIL money at all? I’m guessing it varies greatly. I’m just wondering how we will land stud players moving forward if it’s all about show me the money.

If they don't get a lot of NIL and they still want to play. I'm sure Davis got some NIL money at Wisconsin, just like most MSU players do, but he came to MSU because he wanted play more than he was. I don't believe the Cats will find a lot of Stud players via the portal though.

I think the studs that will be found will end up being hidden gems we take a chance on. Or like you said the more traditional drop downs like Davis, and I’d take a kid that just wants to play any day over some kid going onto their 3rd school.

That's what I think too.

[coloradocat]

You get 5 picks for 2024 starters recruited from the portal...what do you see as the biggest needs/upgrades? In no particular order my wish list would be:
Placekicker
Linebacker
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
HBack

Placekicker
Linebacker
Linebacker
Defensive tackle
Defensive tackle

This is the dream list. I just feel like we need to find a battle tested QB too

I can't wait to see the responses to your second comment.

[RickRund]

Where is a site to check on the portal? All I have found are FBS.