Former Transfers Missing Out as Cats Soar to Perfect Season?

[The Butcher]

As the Cats continue their historic start to the season, I can’t help but wonder if any of the players who transferred over the past two years feel like they’re missing out on this success with their former teammates. Looking at some of the FBS teams they joined, many likely won’t even reach a bowl game. Baylor, Kennesaw State, and Cal are sitting at the bottom of their conferences and will likely finish with losing records. Washington, currently 4-3, could easily go 1-4 to close the season, jeopardizing their bowl eligibility. The best record among the group is at North Texas, but that’s not a Power 4 program. Clearly, the Cats didn’t need these players to keep their perfect season intact, but having talent like Valdez would have been a nice.

[91catAlum]

As the Cats continue their historic start to the season, I can’t help but wonder if any of the players who transferred over the past two years feel like they’re missing out on this success with their former teammates. Looking at some of the FBS teams they joined, many likely won’t even reach a bowl game. Baylor, Kennesaw State, and Cal are sitting at the bottom of their conferences and will likely finish with losing records. Washington, currently 4-3, could easily go 1-4 to close the season, jeopardizing their bowl eligibility. The best record among the group is at North Texas, but that’s not a Power 4 program. Clearly, the Cats didn’t need these players to keep their perfect season intact, but having talent like Valdez would have been a nice.

Tho$e player$ didn't leave here to win more game$. There wa$ another rea$on.

[SparkCat]

As the Cats continue their historic start to the season, I can’t help but wonder if any of the players who transferred over the past two years feel like they’re missing out on this success with their former teammates. Looking at some of the FBS teams they joined, many likely won’t even reach a bowl game. Baylor, Kennesaw State, and Cal are sitting at the bottom of their conferences and will likely finish with losing records. Washington, currently 4-3, could easily go 1-4 to close the season, jeopardizing their bowl eligibility. The best record among the group is at North Texas, but that’s not a Power 4 program. Clearly, the Cats didn’t need these players to keep their perfect season intact, but having talent like Valdez would have been a nice.

Tho$e player$ didn't leave here to win more game$. There wa$ another rea$on.

Ooooo I can read between the line$.. The rea$on wa$ a better education, right?

[MSU01]

I'm sure there are always mixed feelings when a player chooses to leave, but many of the players (especially out of state ones) aren't going to have the same level of emotional connection with MSU that many of us do as alumni and long time or even lifetime fans. One thing I've noticed on social media is the players seem to truly like and support each other, whether those players are still at MSU or have moved on somewhere else. I'll just wish everyone the best and not worry about what could've been. Every player who transferred out opened up a spot for someone else who really wanted to be a Bobcat and ultimately the program will be better for it in the long run.

[cats2506]

As the Cats continue their historic start to the season, I can’t help but wonder if any of the players who transferred over the past two years feel like they’re missing out on this success with their former teammates. Looking at some of the FBS teams they joined, many likely won’t even reach a bowl game. Baylor, Kennesaw State, and Cal are sitting at the bottom of their conferences and will likely finish with losing records. Washington, currently 4-3, could easily go 1-4 to close the season, jeopardizing their bowl eligibility. The best record among the group is at North Texas, but that’s not a Power 4 program. Clearly, the Cats didn’t need these players to keep their perfect season intact, but having talent like Valdez would have been a nice.

Tho$e player$ didn't leave here to win more game$. There wa$ another rea$on.

I don't think that money was the primary factor in all of those transfers. I think Omar wanted to play closer to home at the FBS level. I think Sebass wanted to play at the FBS level. While I am sure that these guys are getting significantly more NIL $ than they would have at MSU, I don't believe it is the primary factor in their decision to transfer.

[BelligerentBobcat]

I think they all knew MSU would have the “better” season.

Anyways, we have a great team. I’d rather concentrate on the ones who are here.

[91catAlum]

As the Cats continue their historic start to the season, I can’t help but wonder if any of the players who transferred over the past two years feel like they’re missing out on this success with their former teammates. Looking at some of the FBS teams they joined, many likely won’t even reach a bowl game. Baylor, Kennesaw State, and Cal are sitting at the bottom of their conferences and will likely finish with losing records. Washington, currently 4-3, could easily go 1-4 to close the season, jeopardizing their bowl eligibility. The best record among the group is at North Texas, but that’s not a Power 4 program. Clearly, the Cats didn’t need these players to keep their perfect season intact, but having talent like Valdez would have been a nice.

Tho$e player$ didn't leave here to win more game$. There wa$ another rea$on.

I don't think that money was the primary factor in all of those transfers. I think Omar wanted to play closer to home at the FBS level. I think Sebass wanted to play at the FBS level. While I am sure that these guys are getting significantly more NIL $ than they would have at MSU, I don't believe it is the primary factor in their decision to transfer.

There usually are other factors, that's true. But when a 20 year old gets offered 100K to play somewhere else, that becomes the main factor.
Not that I blame them, I'd probably do the same at that age. I'm just not a fan of the system in place now. But I'm not sure how to fix it either.

[ThoughtUKnew14]

Kids didn’t leave a great program w/ top tier culture to win more games. Much more to it IMO…

[BelgradeBobcat]

I think they all knew MSU would have the “better” season.

Anyways, we have a great team. I’d rather concentrate on the ones who are here.

+1:

(the relevant part starts at 1:14).

[CelticCat]

MSU isn't the highest level of football. Some guys just want to try and compete at the highest level of football they can and there's nothing wrong with that.

[asstastic]

They left. Better or worse. I think it’s a very confusing time to be a college athlete right now. We don’t need to keep dragging them down for making the decision to leave. Wish them the best. I root for all of them on Saturdays. I hope that all graduate with a degree, no matter what the diploma says.

And I think it is a gross exaggeration (oversimplification, generalization) to think they all get this magical “$100,000” payday that everyone talks about and they’re all money hungry and that’s the only reason they left. I would love to know how much any of those guys actually made to put some perspective on this conversation.

Conference, competition, family being at games, education, coaching, adventure, exposure on national TV weekly, gameday experience, climate, daylight hours in the winter, population culture(not everyone likes mountains and cowboy boots). *EDIT: They graduated.*

[cats2506]

They left. Better or worse. I think it’s a very confusing time to be a college athlete right now. We don’t need to keep dragging them down for making the decision to leave. Wish them the best. I root for all of them on Saturdays. I hope that all graduate with a degree, no matter what the diploma says.

And I think it is a gross exaggeration (oversimplification, generalization) to think they all get this magical “$100,000” payday that everyone talks about and they’re all money hungry and that’s the only reason they left. I would love to know how much any of those guys actually made to put some perspective on this conversation.

Conference, competition, family being at games, education, coaching, adventure, exposure on national TV weekly, gameday experience, climate, daylight hours in the winter, population culture(not everyone likes mountains and cowboy boots).

100% agree

[rfischer94]

As the Cats continue their historic start to the season, I can’t help but wonder if any of the players who transferred over the past two years feel like they’re missing out on this success with their former teammates. Looking at some of the FBS teams they joined, many likely won’t even reach a bowl game. Baylor, Kennesaw State, and Cal are sitting at the bottom of their conferences and will likely finish with losing records. Washington, currently 4-3, could easily go 1-4 to close the season, jeopardizing their bowl eligibility. The best record among the group is at North Texas, but that’s not a Power 4 program. Clearly, the Cats didn’t need these players to keep their perfect season intact, but having talent like Valdez would have been a nice.

Tho$e player$ didn't leave here to win more game$. There wa$ another rea$on.

I don't think that money was the primary factor in all of those transfers. I think Omar wanted to play closer to home at the FBS level. I think Sebass wanted to play at the FBS level. While I am sure that these guys are getting significantly more NIL $ than they would have at MSU, I don't believe it is the primary factor in their decision to transfer.

Not to mention that he finished his engineering degree and had a chance to get a free year's worth of hrad school at UW. Makes sense to me.

[catatac]

I'm sure Seabass made what he felt was the best situation for him, in that situation. Also, coming off playing for the FBS national championship... I'm sure the thought was that UW was going to be at the top again. They're not very good this year from what I can tell.

[BobcatBuiltTexan]

I don't think any of the players are worried about that. I find it in bad taste to say that the only reason kids are leaving is to chase money. I do think that it may play a small part. I looked at tickets and hotel accommodations from texas to bozeman......for my wife and I to go to bozeman and watch a game for a weekend......It's about $1000 for plane tickets.....$300 for a hotel...... lets say we go super el cheapo on food and say $250....we won't calculate uber to get around the city......so lets look at this through the scope of a parent...... for one weekend you are looking at $1500 just to go watch your kid play....11 regular season games that's roughly $16,000 a year just to watch your son play....most parents don't have that kind of money, so it's easier to move back home and your parents can spend a couple 100 dollars and drive wherever they are playing. I think there are many other factors besides the almighty dollar that is having kids leave. From what I see we are doing a great job of replacing those athletes. If coaches can up and leave then we shouldn't be mad when kids have opportunities to better their situation(whether that be monetarily or otherwise).

What I do think would help kid the kids wanting move back home to be closer to family not want to go back home is for the players to have NIL deals in place soon as they get there to subsidize their parents coming to see them for all regular season games....plane tickets paid for, hotel accommodations paid for...parents cover their own food....parents would be on their own for playoff games. When you know you can go home to see your parents at any time or they can come up to see you at any time and you don't have to worry saving the money to do it, trust me that will have a lot of kids staying put.......just an idea.

[AFCAT]

I don't think any of the players are worried about that. I find it in bad taste to say that the only reason kids are leaving is to chase money. I do think that it may play a small part. I looked at tickets and hotel accommodations from texas to bozeman......for my wife and I to go to bozeman and watch a game for a weekend......It's about $1000 for plane tickets.....$300 for a hotel...... lets say we go super el cheapo on food and say $250....we won't calculate uber to get around the city......so lets look at this through the scope of a parent...... for one weekend you are looking at $1500 just to go watch your kid play....11 regular season games that's roughly $16,000 a year just to watch your son play....most parents don't have that kind of money, so it's easier to move back home and your parents can spend a couple 100 dollars and drive wherever they are playing. I think there are many other factors besides the almighty dollar that is having kids leave. From what I see we are doing a great job of replacing those athletes. If coaches can up and leave then we shouldn't be mad when kids have opportunities to better their situation(whether that be monetarily or otherwise).

What I do think would help kid the kids wanting move back home to be closer to family not want to go back home is for the players to have NIL deals in place soon as they get there to subsidize their parents coming to see them for all regular season games....plane tickets paid for, hotel accommodations paid for...parents cover their own food....parents would be on their own for playoff games. When you know you can go home to see your parents at any time or they can come up to see you at any time and you don't have to worry saving the money to do it, trust me that will have a lot of kids staying put.......just an idea.

I would agree with that, but two, Aigbedion and Kettels, of the four main players that left went to where they would be closer to their parents or relatives. Aigbedion to Baylor and Kettels to Kennesaw State. The other two, Seabass and Reimer, went to bigger opportunities, Cal and the University of Washington. Seabass went to UW and he is from San Diego and Reimer is from Camas, Washington and went to Cal. I have no problem with any of those decisions.

And a word of wisdom for parents or fans. Book your hotel rooms the minute the schedule comes out to get cheaper rates and then monitor hotel prices throughout the year and re-book, if you can (Motel 6 allows you to cancel up to the day before), to cheaper prices if they come available. I always book any hotel reservations for Gold Rush and other night games at least a year out or when I hear they are scheduled. For local folks with a vehicle, check out Livingston for cheaper hotel rates too. I'm sure most regular fans already know that.

[asstastic]

I don't think any of the players are worried about that. I find it in bad taste to say that the only reason kids are leaving is to chase money. I do think that it may play a small part. I looked at tickets and hotel accommodations from texas to bozeman......for my wife and I to go to bozeman and watch a game for a weekend......It's about $1000 for plane tickets.....$300 for a hotel...... lets say we go super el cheapo on food and say $250....we won't calculate uber to get around the city......so lets look at this through the scope of a parent...... for one weekend you are looking at $1500 just to go watch your kid play....11 regular season games that's roughly $16,000 a year just to watch your son play....most parents don't have that kind of money, so it's easier to move back home and your parents can spend a couple 100 dollars and drive wherever they are playing. I think there are many other factors besides the almighty dollar that is having kids leave. From what I see we are doing a great job of replacing those athletes. If coaches can up and leave then we shouldn't be mad when kids have opportunities to better their situation(whether that be monetarily or otherwise).

What I do think would help kid the kids wanting move back home to be closer to family not want to go back home is for the players to have NIL deals in place soon as they get there to subsidize their parents coming to see them for all regular season games....plane tickets paid for, hotel accommodations paid for...parents cover their own food....parents would be on their own for playoff games. When you know you can go home to see your parents at any time or they can come up to see you at any time and you don't have to worry saving the money to do it, trust me that will have a lot of kids staying put.......just an idea.

I agree with this too. If nothing else, that would be a great idea to talk about. Travel currently is outrageous, especially air travel. It would need to be equitable.

[luckyirishguy25]

I don't think any of the players are worried about that. I find it in bad taste to say that the only reason kids are leaving is to chase money. I do think that it may play a small part. I looked at tickets and hotel accommodations from texas to bozeman......for my wife and I to go to bozeman and watch a game for a weekend......It's about $1000 for plane tickets.....$300 for a hotel...... lets say we go super el cheapo on food and say $250....we won't calculate uber to get around the city......so lets look at this through the scope of a parent...... for one weekend you are looking at $1500 just to go watch your kid play....11 regular season games that's roughly $16,000 a year just to watch your son play....most parents don't have that kind of money, so it's easier to move back home and your parents can spend a couple 100 dollars and drive wherever they are playing. I think there are many other factors besides the almighty dollar that is having kids leave. From what I see we are doing a great job of replacing those athletes. If coaches can up and leave then we shouldn't be mad when kids have opportunities to better their situation(whether that be monetarily or otherwise).

What I do think would help kid the kids wanting move back home to be closer to family not want to go back home is for the players to have NIL deals in place soon as they get there to subsidize their parents coming to see them for all regular season games....plane tickets paid for, hotel accommodations paid for...parents cover their own food....parents would be on their own for playoff games. When you know you can go home to see your parents at any time or they can come up to see you at any time and you don't have to worry saving the money to do it, trust me that will have a lot of kids staying put.......just an idea.

good post!

[lutecat]

I guess I like to bring up a stud basketball player that got to showcase his skills this last year because of the players transferring out.....he never would've been showcased if everyone stayed put. Changes happen and you embrace them and you go forward.

And as has been brought up here, people leave for many reasons, and it seems none on the football side have been over money. I admire people who want to challenge themselves at the next level. Heck get your bag if you are motivated by it.

My one issue is when people leave over money and try to say it's over mental health, when all things point to it being money. It makes everyone question players who actually are taking their mental health into consideration. And mental health is important. You won't convince me otherwise just like this post won't convince you otherwise. So for that, I will cheer for any former Bobcat playing any sport at any university, save one player. And I equate cheering for that player to cheering for the griz at this point. Sure. Harsh you'll say. Maybe. But that's how I feel.

[thisnamesucks]

My mental health would be a lot better with an extra $100K, just saying