***Official portal tracker thread***

[Cloneon]

I'm most interested in seeing how good a Campbell defense without Heacock is.

ISU spent a decade essentially as a top 2 defense in the Big 12, even with UT and OU with the following NFL draftees:
Ewazurike (4)
McDonald (1)
Johnson (7)
Tampa (4)
Porter (3)

That's roughly every other year having one mid-round pick. That's amazing production vs. the talent.

Over that same period of time, we've had double the offensive guys get drafted, including a guy that might be a top 5 NFL QB and a top 5 NFL RB.

THIS can not be understated. Sure, CMC should get some credit for hiring and retaining Heacock. Heacock was nothing short of brilliant for accomplishing what he did with what he had. Also, let's not forget how many more times the defense carried the offense. So, when I think of an ISU legacy, I think of Heacock before CMC.

 

[Nococy]

How about the players that haven’t committed to staying or going?

 

[cytor]

How many more transfers commit today? 3 so far do we have anyone else on visits.

Hearing we'll stop when the roster hits about 150 kids.

 

[TheRun]

I’m Awls in, let’s crack a Pabst in celebration

 

[cyfan92]

 

[MTCyclone43]

And many of those players are All-B10 caliber. Brahmer and Neal specifically. Every school in the country would have wanted those guys. Becht too for that matter. Thamel reported LSU made a big run at him.

Rocco is such a great young man- his leadership is wonderful, his willingness to give to the community of Ames makes him very special. There is no way he would be comfortable with Lane Kiffen. Look up sleezy in the dictionary and- bam Lane Kiffen's face. Rocco is going to get drafted in the NFL- so he does not need Lane's bag.

 

[cyfan92]

 

[isucy86]

Neal is a beast. I’m going to miss him the most. He’s going to be playing Sundays.

We got Awls. Let it go!

 

[cyfan92]

Beating out Indiana for one of the top safeties in the portal is a HUGE win for ISU!

 

[BCClone]

I've lived in Pennsylvania and can tell you the fan base appears to be a lot like Nebraska. Much of their pride/ego/expectations is based largely on success that came many years ago (notwithstanding, of course, the recent run to the college football semi finals). But keep in mind they beat SMU and Boise State to get to the semis so a relatively easy path.

The good news for a coach at Penn State is you have 7 other sports teams between Pittsburgh and Philly to keep people busy complaining about other things. The bad news is that the media is insanely critical and so are the fans.

It sounds like Matt is adept at insulating himself from media noise. He couldn't care less (and probably doesn't even see) the vitrol on social media right now. His problem is going to be the donors.

The players, on the other hand, are going to have to deal with social media $hit at a different level. They've surely all seen it before, but probably not with this kind of intensity and frequency.

One other thing that Campbell will have to deal with at PSU that wasn’t much of an issue here is an AD on the hot seat. His butt was warm for this taking several months. If Campbell has a poorer than expected season, Kraft may amp things up on Campbell to save his butt.

While some people are not fond of JP, most respect the job he has done and the big donors haven’t really shown to be mad at him

 

[inCyteful]

So what do we think JFR is batting as far as key targets vs key gets? Seems like he has a very good pulse of who we can compete for and who can't? Seems like he is aiming high enough to be competitive without getting into silly $$$ games.

Batting .900 with lots of singles and enough doubles?

 

[Cyched]

Is it time to start a new “Official ISU portal tracker” thread so it doesn’t get confused with this PSU/Nebraska one?

Honestly the PSU/Campbell presser thread can just be the home for PS/MC discussions if people want. Keep this thread for news on our guys, especially now that it’s blowing up.

 

[twincyties]

This is the messaging our athletic department and football staff needs to be leaning into. Facilities, fan support, fit, excitement, etc.

 

[Cyched]

I like the “fans are great” statements from players who are visiting for the first time. Seems like a “read the room” statement after all the other nonsense.

 

[isucy86]

This staff is on a HEATER. This is fun! Lot of great commitments the past few days.

the staff is kicking a$$ and doing a great job of bringing experienced guys with young guys who have played.

BEAT THE EFFing HAWKS (and 10 other teams on our 2026 schedule)

 

[cyfan92]

I'm very cool with signing a couple FCS freshman all Americans every off season!

Go raid the rosters at NDSU, Montana, Montana State, Tarleton State, and SDSU! Those kids are winners!

 

[Kinch]

Ohio St was, everyone else? I don't think so, at least not even near sec level

Back in the 70s and 80s OU was big time. More than SEC. Every team in SWC was. Michigan was. Rumors abounded about a lot of Big 10 teams. When the price of crude went up so did the price of football players.

 

[RagingCloner]

So what do we think JFR is batting as far as key targets vs key gets? Seems like he has a very good pulse of who we can compete for and who can't? Seems like he is aiming high enough to be competitive without getting into silly $$$ games.

Batting .900 with lots of singles and enough doubles?

At this point i think hes .800-.900.

Average is fantastic, but his SBP is phenomenal because a bunch of these have been no doubt home runs

 

[12191987]

This is what I keep thinking about every time these kids post "HOME"


View attachment 165414

Yeah, too bad the Vorhees kid decided to stay at Wazzu.

 

[RagingCloner]

Yeah, too bad the Vorhees kid decided to stay at Wazzu.

I get what you are saying, but this comment wont age that well, imo. Were shooting MUCH higher for RB than Vorhees, if i had to guess