How many?

[91catAlum]

I’d be semi-surprised if Wehr and Grebe leave, not because they aren’t talented but because they are such Montana boys. Grebe also has his brother on the team. Money talks though and I guess I couldn’t blame them if they were offered some decent NIL money to play their last year somewhere else. The only real player that I could see really testing the waters is Valdez, especially if he was offered something closer to home. Connor Moore too, I guess.

Vigen does need to hit the portal more this year than he has in the past. I know he wants to develop talent in house, but there are some significant areas of improvement on the defense and special teams that need help right away.

I worry about Omar and Rush getting offers as well.

Omar is certainly a possibility but he already transferred once, plays a lot, and seems to be close to some of the MSU coaches and is active in the community. He could go to a Texas school if he is actively courted. Rush probably could have left after last season and didn’t. If Rush has or will graduate (I know, not a requirement) though, it is certainly possible.

Well sh!t.

[Catsrgrood]

Well, here we go, Omar is the first we know about.

Silver lining is that we (hopefully) have our original starter back next year in JT Reed.

And does anyone know if Cole Sain can or is going to try to come back?

We have the potential to actually have both of our starting guards back from the 2022 season.

[AFCAT]

I’d be semi-surprised if Wehr and Grebe leave, not because they aren’t talented but because they are such Montana boys. Grebe also has his brother on the team. Money talks though and I guess I couldn’t blame them if they were offered some decent NIL money to play their last year somewhere else. The only real player that I could see really testing the waters is Valdez, especially if he was offered something closer to home. Connor Moore too, I guess.

Vigen does need to hit the portal more this year than he has in the past. I know he wants to develop talent in house, but there are some significant areas of improvement on the defense and special teams that need help right away.

I worry about Omar and Rush getting offers as well.

Omar is certainly a possibility but he already transferred once, plays a lot, and seems to be close to some of the MSU coaches and is active in the community. He could go to a Texas school if he is actively courted. Rush probably could have left after last season and didn’t. If Rush has or will graduate (I know, not a requirement) though, it is certainly possible.

Well sh!t.

Yup, literally as I was typing that up. LOL.

[PapaG]

So do we think we start hearing anything today on some guys going to the portal? Is today the last day to enter during this period?

We’ll lose someone, probably a few, I’m just holding out hope it’s not as bad as some speculate.

There will be a lot of returning talent no matter what, hopefully we can add some real contributors as well and have a net gain, or at least net neutral outcome to the whole portal business.

I expect we lose anywhere from 5-8 players with the majority being backups not getting the playing time they expected and they're either going into their junior or senior seasons. I do expect that group to also include 2-3 of our best players going into their senior seasons who will have NIL decisions to make.

I don’t expect actual answers here, we’ll know soon enough, but just speculating on who some likely targets will be.

If we’re thinking we lose a couple of our best players, that will be seniors, I’d say a short list of possibilities would be:

Simeon Woodard
Grebe
Danny U
Reimer
Wehr
Valdez

I’d consider those our best, biggest contributors that will be seniors next year.
I’d hate to lose any of those guys, but reality is we likely do.

Davis and Hall will be seniors also and are huge contributors, but I’d be surprised if they turned around and left again after one year of being here and having great seasons.

*edit: don’t want to leave out Tommy, he’s obviously as important as any of them, but between being such a MT guy and the now unknown injury/recovery status, I’d be very surprised if he was one to leave as well.

Kind of an insult to Ortt there who basically was the secondary at times.

You’re right, oversight by me. He’s absolutely in that conversation for top contributors entering their senior year.

I’d be surprised to see him go, but yes, should absolutely be included in my list.

Guessed it was an oversight but with some of the negativity since Cat-Gris I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone think he’s a “net drag” on the program.

[PapaG]

Well, here we go, Omar is the first we know about.

Silver lining is that we (hopefully) have our original starter back next year in JT Reed.

And does anyone know if Cole Sain can or is going to try to come back?

We have the potential to actually have both of our starting guards back from the 2022 season.

I posted yesterday that the top end talent in Vigen’s first season was basically a generational thing, but the depth and specifically on offense is better now.

DL and LB is worrisome and let’s see the younger guys improve this offseason because the drop off in blowouts to the second unit was deep. They couldn’t stop anyone late in games. Who replaces Askelson?

[VimSince03]

So do we think we start hearing anything today on some guys going to the portal? Is today the last day to enter during this period?

We’ll lose someone, probably a few, I’m just holding out hope it’s not as bad as some speculate.

There will be a lot of returning talent no matter what, hopefully we can add some real contributors as well and have a net gain, or at least net neutral outcome to the whole portal business.

I expect we lose anywhere from 5-8 players with the majority being backups not getting the playing time they expected and they're either going into their junior or senior seasons. I do expect that group to also include 2-3 of our best players going into their senior seasons who will have NIL decisions to make.

Backups Entering Junior/Senior Seasons Going into Portal:

Jacob Kettels - OT

Starters with NIL Decisions Going into Portal:

Omar Aigbedion - OG

[BleedingBLue]

So do we think we start hearing anything today on some guys going to the portal? Is today the last day to enter during this period?

We’ll lose someone, probably a few, I’m just holding out hope it’s not as bad as some speculate.

There will be a lot of returning talent no matter what, hopefully we can add some real contributors as well and have a net gain, or at least net neutral outcome to the whole portal business.

I expect we lose anywhere from 5-8 players with the majority being backups not getting the playing time they expected and they're either going into their junior or senior seasons. I do expect that group to also include 2-3 of our best players going into their senior seasons who will have NIL decisions to make.

Backups Entering Junior/Senior Seasons Going into Portal:

Jacob Kettels - OT

Starters with NIL Decisions Going into Portal:

Omar Aigbedion - OG

Are you saying Kettels has entered the portal?

Edit: Saw it. Lame

[BFcatfan]

Cats lose their entire team...that is all... but Cats will be damn tough and should win it all in 2024. That's what I'm told anyways....and that's after the entire Griz team is declared academically inelgible for the degree of 'Hottest Cheerleaders'. Seriously, have you compared them? Griz win easily. Just like a couple weeks ago...

Are you talking the cheers studs or actual female cheerleaders.. never can tell from the dark pink university. They had Monty dressed as a rainbow unicorn carrying a rainbow flag with the UM all over it at a parade in Zoo town this year.

[VimSince03]

So do we think we start hearing anything today on some guys going to the portal? Is today the last day to enter during this period?

We’ll lose someone, probably a few, I’m just holding out hope it’s not as bad as some speculate.

There will be a lot of returning talent no matter what, hopefully we can add some real contributors as well and have a net gain, or at least net neutral outcome to the whole portal business.

I expect we lose anywhere from 5-8 players with the majority being backups not getting the playing time they expected and they're either going into their junior or senior seasons. I do expect that group to also include 2-3 of our best players going into their senior seasons who will have NIL decisions to make.

Backups Entering Junior/Senior Seasons Going into Portal:

Jacob Kettels - OT
Jace Fitzgerald - LB

Starters with NIL Decisions Going into Portal:

Omar Aigbedion - OG
Rush Reimer - OG

[WetBreeches]

I would like to see the NIL change. All the NIL money would go in huge pot. This money would then be shared based on FBS, FCS, Div II, etc. it could even be broken down by position or number of plays on the field. If changes aren't made then the teams with the most NIL money will just continue to buy better players. The portal needs to go back to sitting out a season to change teams.

Communist...

[VimSince03]

So do we think we start hearing anything today on some guys going to the portal? Is today the last day to enter during this period?

We’ll lose someone, probably a few, I’m just holding out hope it’s not as bad as some speculate.

There will be a lot of returning talent no matter what, hopefully we can add some real contributors as well and have a net gain, or at least net neutral outcome to the whole portal business.

I expect we lose anywhere from 5-8 players with the majority being backups not getting the playing time they expected and they're either going into their junior or senior seasons. I do expect that group to also include 2-3 of our best players going into their senior seasons who will have NIL decisions to make.

Backups Entering Junior/Senior Seasons Going into Portal:

Jacob Kettels - OT
Jace Fitzgerald - LB
Kendric Bailey - S

Starters with NIL Decisions Going into Portal:

Omar Aigbedion - OG
Rush Reimer - OG

Bump

[VimSince03]

So do we think we start hearing anything today on some guys going to the portal? Is today the last day to enter during this period?

We’ll lose someone, probably a few, I’m just holding out hope it’s not as bad as some speculate.

There will be a lot of returning talent no matter what, hopefully we can add some real contributors as well and have a net gain, or at least net neutral outcome to the whole portal business.

I expect we lose anywhere from 5-8 players with the majority being backups not getting the playing time they expected and they're either going into their junior or senior seasons. I do expect that group to also include 2-3 of our best players going into their senior seasons who will have NIL decisions to make.

Backups Entering Junior/Senior Seasons Going into Portal:

Jacob Kettels - OT
Jace Fitzgerald - LB
Kendric Bailey - S

Starters with NIL Decisions Going into Portal:

Omar Aigbedion - OG
Rush Reimer - OG

Bump

Bump again. My prediction was 5-8 and out of that number 2-3 All-Big Sky players transfer.

[Catsrgrood]

So do we think we start hearing anything today on some guys going to the portal? Is today the last day to enter during this period?

We’ll lose someone, probably a few, I’m just holding out hope it’s not as bad as some speculate.

There will be a lot of returning talent no matter what, hopefully we can add some real contributors as well and have a net gain, or at least net neutral outcome to the whole portal business.

I expect we lose anywhere from 5-8 players with the majority being backups not getting the playing time they expected and they're either going into their junior or senior seasons. I do expect that group to also include 2-3 of our best players going into their senior seasons who will have NIL decisions to make.

Backups Entering Junior/Senior Seasons Going into Portal:

Jacob Kettels - OT
Jace Fitzgerald - LB
Kendric Bailey - S

Starters with NIL Decisions Going into Portal:

Omar Aigbedion - OG
Rush Reimer - OG

Bump

Bump again. My prediction was 5-8 and out of that number 2-3 All-Big Sky players transfer.

So you’re saying you knew something?

We’re at 5 total and 2 All Big Sky players. Think we have another all big sky guy and a couple depth guys to go?

[GoGriz1023]

You don't want the players that bolt. Does nothing for the Cats. Let em go. I STILL say the Cats had ****** tons of talent. Why what happened this year, I'll leave to the Cat fans, but having a QB that runs EVERYTHING is a serious problem - and the offense relied way too heavy on the QB.. And I feel so fricking bad for Tommy - such a great dude. It just f'ing sucks - it seriously does. Tommy is such a neat true Montana kid and it just sucks to see his season end like it did.

This is a good post. Should have stopped with this one.

It's hard to stop!

[VimSince03]

So do we think we start hearing anything today on some guys going to the portal? Is today the last day to enter during this period?

We’ll lose someone, probably a few, I’m just holding out hope it’s not as bad as some speculate.

There will be a lot of returning talent no matter what, hopefully we can add some real contributors as well and have a net gain, or at least net neutral outcome to the whole portal business.

I expect we lose anywhere from 5-8 players with the majority being backups not getting the playing time they expected and they're either going into their junior or senior seasons. I do expect that group to also include 2-3 of our best players going into their senior seasons who will have NIL decisions to make.

Backups Entering Junior/Senior Seasons Going into Portal:

Jacob Kettels - OT
Jace Fitzgerald - LB
Kendric Bailey - S

Starters with NIL Decisions Going into Portal:

Omar Aigbedion - OG
Rush Reimer - OG
Sebastian Valdez - DT

Bump

Bump Again...want to stop bumping!