2025 Inbound Portal Options (December 9th - 28th 2024 & April 16th - 25th 2025 Cycle)

[Stray_Dog]

I agree that if a hs recruited kid is good enough they will get the job. And I get the portal is part of the game - but hs recruiting is too. But I find it borderline hilarious that the same people who are so in love with the portal are many of the same people who are happy when a Wellever commits and complain about all of our previous portal QBs. Obviously every year is different and Zion got a shot. I also know that if Dan’s comment about 20 year olds having edge is more often true than not, the likelihood that our hs recruits will stick around for 3 years or get live game experience before transferring themselves becomes totally dependent on injury or the guy who they couldn't beat out in the first place not cutting it. We haven’t had a single QB transfer in in several years people were so excited about that the portal should seem all that attractive. This year our 1 and 2 QBs were both transfers. McDonald seems not to have been a real contender. So was he a hit or miss? Wellever was being red-shirted so we should get to see if he can win the job.

You could get a really good HS kid who plays for UConn and becomes the best star QB we ever had, Guess what - he's not sticking around for 3 years! That is just it. We are not a P4 conference. He gets an offer to play with them. He is gone! I agree we need multiple QB's and I am not worried who is the best or the worst. It is not my job to weigh in on how this may or may not look. Pull up the BIG Boy Pants and let the best kid get the job. No one and I mean NO ONE deserves anything in this life. Fight for it - Get the passion for it. keep it! And I am so glad I don't have the coaching job. I prefer being on my PC with my keyboard and thinking - none of what I do here will have any affect on any decision making for UConn Football. That means I can be a fan and put my trust in Coach Mora as I have done since he got here!

 

[cohenzone]

You could get a really good HS kid who plays for UConn and becomes the best star QB we ever had, Guess what - he's not sticking around for 3 years! That is just it. We are not a P4 conference. He gets an offer to play with them. He is gone! I agree we need multiple QB's and I am not worried who is the best or the worst. It is not my job to weigh in on how this may or may not look. Pull up the BIG Boy Pants and let the best kid get the job. No one and I mean NO ONE deserves anything in this life. Fight for it - Get the passion for it. keep it! And I am so glad I don't have the coaching job. I prefer being on my PC with my keyboard and thinking - none of what I do here will have any affect on any decision making for UConn Football. That means I can be a fan and put my trust in Coach Mora as I have done since he got here!

I get it. But at some point the best hs kid we might get will pass on us if the roulette wheel regularly lands on the kid with more experience. It’s great to say let the best man win if we always transfer in experienced guys whose main edge is experience. How do our hs recruits get the same experience? All I ssid is a lot of folks here drool over a Wellever, drool over the 3rd string transfer from LSU and spend all their time saying he’s no great shakes. And if that is so, then logically it says something about the hs talent we get if they can’t beat out the transfer nobody thinks is so great. Obviously you want the best guy to play. We will see what this next season brings.

 

[Stray_Dog]

Need to get that man a QB who is accurate and can throw the ball to him. Not sure we currently have that on the roster right now. Land that QB and Bell's potential is limitless

Bell is not staying, Anyway, I trust in Mora to bring in what needs to be brought in to allow all the kids on this team to live up to their greatest potential. This is his job and thankfully not mine, yours, or anyone else's job on this board!

 

[Stray_Dog]

I get it. But at some point the best hs kid we might get will pass on us if the roulette wheel regularly lands on the kid with more experience. It’s great to say let the best man win if we always transfer in experienced guys whose main edge is experience. How do our hs recruits get the same experience? All I ssid is a lot of folks here drool over a Wellever, drool over the 3rd string transfer from LSU and spend all their time saying he’s no great shakes. And if that is so, then logically it says something about the hs talent we get if they can’t beat out the transfer nobody thinks is so great. Obviously you want the best guy to play. We will see what this next season brings.

They will pass on us! That is my point! so we don't get that kid, we must make a decision and the decision has to be to get kids here with as much talent as possible. Then you let them play for it. At this level we cant look over our shoulder and wonder - as we look back in time if we made the right decision. First of all, we don't make decisions. Second we don't make decisions. I will cheer on whoever wears the uniforms for as long as they do. I wish we could get a talented kid to come here, succeed and stay for 5 years if possible. I wish UConn was the top pillar in football where the pigskin not the big orange ball was the premier sport. I wish I was a billionaire. These are all great wishes! But I trust in our coach because he has the job to drive this program and not to grant wishes! He coaches kids, his players and wants them to succeed as a team and individually. He wants classy kids with drive and talent! The specifics of those metrics are for him to think about. I simply support him any way I can. And I know he doesn't come to these message boards nor do his kids nor should they. So your talk about HS football recruits - well it reminds me of when the CT HS's wanted and loved the Uconn hire Paul P. The fossil who I laughed at up at Syracuse and then when he came here realized Karma just slapped me in the face. SO when it comes to HS and HS talent... keep this in mind. We can develop them we can mentor them. They will leave just like any other kid who does well in our system to a bigger name recognized school. Few kids will stay and that is because they believe the position they are in where they are will give them their best opportunity. Shine here and you may make the NFL. But no klid is staying here because he loves the fans atmosphere! They know when they leave, we will cheer just as loud as the next kid to wear that uniform. This is even more true in the NFL.

 

[cohenzone]

They will pass on us! That is my point! so we don't get that kid, we must make a decision and the decision has to be to get kids here with as much talent as possible. Then you let them play for it. At this level we cant look over our shoulder and wonder - as we look back in time if we made the right decision. First of all, we don't make decisions. Second we don't make decisions. I will cheer on whoever wears the uniforms for as long as they do. I wish we could get a talented kid to come here, succeed and stay for 5 years if possible. I wish UConn was the top pillar in football where the pigskin not the big orange ball was the premier sport. I wish I was a billionaire. These are all great wishes! But I trust in our coach because he has the job to drive this program and not to grant wishes! He coaches kids, his players and wants them to succeed as a team and individually. He wants classy kids with drive and talent! The specifics of those metrics are for him to think about. I simply support him any way I can. And I know he doesn't come to these message boards nor do his kids nor should they. So your talk about HS football recruits - well it reminds me of when the CT HS's wanted and loved the Uconn hire Paul P. The fossil who I laughed at up at Syracuse and then when he came here realized Karma just slapped me in the face. SO when it comes to HS and HS talent... keep this in mind. We can develop them we can mentor them. They will leave just like any other kid who does well in our system to a bigger name recognized school. Few kids will stay and that is because they believe the position they are in where they are will give them their best opportunity. Shine here and you may make the NFL. But no klid is staying here because he loves the fans atmosphere! They know when they leave, we will cheer just as loud as the next kid to wear that uniform. This is even more true in the NFL.

Ok good rant.

 

[UConnDan97]

Ok good rant.

... says the guy that has been ranting about the same thing for 2 weeks.

Bottom line: the coaching staff is going to try to secure the best players they can. If that's the 5-star freshman, then that's great. If it's the transfer senior, that's great too. The best player we can secure for our team is literally what the coaches are paid for.

You need to stop with this idea that we're sending the wrong message to future high school recruits because you're just flat out wrong...

 

[gioff2323]

Bell is not staying, Anyway, I trust in Mora to bring in what needs to be brought in to allow all the kids on this team to live up to their greatest potential. This is his job and thankfully not mine, yours, or anyone else's job on this board!

Do you know that or are you speculating?

 

[KryHavok]

Do you know that or are you speculating?

He openly declared for the portal. Yes, there is a chance he pulls a Yates and withdraws to stay, but let's be honest, the track record of players declaring for the portal only to reverse and stay is NOT in our favor. His decision to play in the bowl can be construed as an opportunity to showcase his skills for his next team. So until he clearly says he staying, it's evident he looking to leave.

 

[cohenzone]

... says the guy that has been ranting about the same thing for 2 weeks.

Bottom line: the coaching staff is going to try to secure the best players they can. If that's the 5-star freshman, then that's great. If it's the transfer senior, that's great too. The best player we can secure for our team is literally what the coaches are paid for.

You need to stop with this idea that we're sending the wrong message to future high school recruits because you're just flat out wrong...

Ok. Let’s see who gets the job next year. Turner got the job, nobody loved him. He left. The transfers got the job. Nobody loved them. Arguably the best of those didn’t even come from a power conference and none of our hs recruits beat Fagnano out. I think you are flat out wrong. I agree go for the best guy. But it has to sink in with you at some point that if our hs recruits can’t beat out transfers nobody likes, then either we aren’t getting hs kids with enough talent and/or ditto transfers. Being independent is probably hurting us in the most important position. Show me the facts that say I am wrong. All I see is who is getting to play the position hardly any one has been thrilled with. .

 

[UConnDan97]

Ok. Let’s see who gets the job next year. Turner got the job, nobody loved him. He left. The transfers got the job. Nobody loved them. Arguably the best of those didn’t even come from a power conference and none of our hs recruits beat Fagnano out. I think you are flat out wrong. I agree go for the best guy. But it has to sink in with you at some point that if our hs recruits can’t beat out transfers nobody likes, then either we aren’t getting hs kids with enough talent and/or ditto transfers. Being independent is probably hurting us in the most important position. Show me the facts that say I am wrong. All I see is who is getting to play the position hardly any one has been thrilled with. .

I love how you state "facts" and then focus on only 1 position on the football field, bringing zero facts.

Please tell me where Zion Turner transferred to and what he accomplished there (I'm not trying to kill the kid, but you brought him up). I'll save you the trouble. He went to Jacksonville State and has had a total of 1 pass attempt this year....1 pass attempt!

Fagnano and Evers are both better than him. Welliver didn't beat either one out this year, by that doesn't mean that he won't be the guy next year.

It would be easier to have these conversations with you if you actually looked up the stuff you have been ranting about...

 

[uconnfan68]

I love how you state "facts" and then focus on only 1 position on the football field, bringing zero facts.

Please tell me where Zion Turner transferred to and what he accomplished there (I'm not trying to kill the kid, but you brought him up). I'll save you the trouble. He went to Jacksonville State and has had a total of 1 pass attempt this year....1 pass attempt!

Fagnano and Evers are both better than him. Welliver didn't beat either one out this year, by that doesn't mean that he won't be the guy next year.

It would be easier to have these conversations with you if you actually looked up the stuff you have been ranting about...

So you both want the best guy to play, and just can’t agree that’s what you both want. I love this place.

 

[UConnDan97]

So you both want the best guy to play, and just can’t agree that’s what you both want. I love this place.

No, the parts we disagree on are whether or not the coaching staff is recruiting quality incoming freshman, and whether or not Independence is causing a drop in our recruiting.

Try to keep up...

 

[huskymedic]

Please tell me where Zion Turner transferred to and what he accomplished there (I'm not trying to kill the kid, but you brought him up). I'll save you the trouble. He went to Jacksonville State and has had a total of 1 pass attempt this year....1 pass attempt!

The wheels on the bus go round and round…

 

[UConnDan97]

The wheels on the bus go round and round…

Again, I'm not trying to kill the kid. I wish him the best. But... he's not a top-level G5 QB. Both of our starters were undefeated against the G5 this year. It's a simple as that...

 

[cohenzone]

I love how you state "facts" and then focus on only 1 position on the football field, bringing zero facts.

Please tell me where Zion Turner transferred to and what he accomplished there (I'm not trying to kill the kid, but you brought him up). I'll save you the trouble. He went to Jacksonville State and has had a total of 1 pass attempt this year....1 pass attempt!

Fagnano and Evers are both better than him. Welliver didn't beat either one out this year, by that doesn't mean that he won't be the guy next year.

It would be easier to have these conversations with you if you actually looked up the stuff you have been ranting about...

You just proved my point. You seem clueless. I said maybe Wellever will beat them out. Turner could not beat out the transfers everyone craps on, so obviously we didn’t get a hs kid who could beat out mediocre transfers which is what I said, your JState thing isn’t proof of a thing that refutes what I said. it reinforces it. And neither Wellever or McDonald beat anyone out for that matter.

So if none of our QBs who actually see the field light anyone’s fire, it doesn’t mean the coaches aren’t trying, it suggests we have a hard time getting the quality of QB we all want. And what does not getting the kind of player we want at QB have to do with how we recruit other positions? Do you know what a non sequitur is? QBs kind of are important. As I said, maybe Wellever or one of the hs recruits will get the job and do well. Do you think being an Indy has anything to do with the quality of QB we get. We probably only get one really good year from a hs recruit anyway before they jump.

 

[UConnDan97]

You just proved my point. You seem clueless. I said maybe Wellever will beat them out. Turner could not beat out the transfers everyone craps on, so obviously we didn’t get a hs kid who could beat out mediocre transfers which is what I said, your JState thing isn’t proof of a thing that refutes what I said. it reinforces it. And neither Wellever or McDonald beat anyone out for that matter.

So if none of our QBs who actually see the field light anyone’s fire, it doesn’t mean the coaches aren’t trying, it suggests we have a hard time getting the quality of QB we all want. And what does not getting the kind of player we want at QB have to do with how we recruit other positions? Do you know what a non sequitur is? QBs kind of are important. As I said, maybe Wellever or one of the hs recruits will get the job and do well. Do you think being an Indy has anything to do with the quality of QB we get. We probably only get one really good year from a hs recruit anyway before they jump.

Ugh.

Turner - not a quality G5 QB
Fagnano, Evers - top G5 QBs (Evers has a chance for higher)
Welliver - not able to beat out top G5 QBs as a freshman, but that does not mean he isn't a very good prospect.

So show me the drop that we've suffered in recruiting since being an Independent (you know... actual data). The rest is just nonsense you've been spewing for 2 weeks...

 

[businesslawyer]

He openly declared for the portal. Yes, there is a chance he pulls a Yates and withdraws to stay, but let's be honest, the track record of players declaring for the portal only to reverse and stay is NOT in our favor. His decision to play in the bowl can be construed as an opportunity to showcase his skills for his next team. So until he clearly says he staying, it's evident he looking to leave.

Some kids declare for the portal because they want out. Almost always true for a walk on looking for a lower level schollie and chance to play somewhere else. Some kids declare for the portal not because they want to leave, but because they are willing to leave for a better offer. Better may mean playing time, or money, or bigger time program. But in the latter case, it just means they are open to a better offer. Doesn’t mean they will get one.

The rules on all this are being developed day by day. You may end up being right that he’s gone, but I wouldn’t put too much faith in prior year’s precedents for a game with rules changing this rapidly.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Iowa is ranked 35 and Auburn is ranked 66, and UConn is 60, according to CBS Sports. Iowa is 44, Auburn is 70, and UConn is 59, according to Fox Sports. From what I understand Michigan spent a lot of money on another QB. UConn may have a chance with Moss. I totally agree with CJasmer the biggest weakness on UConn's team is a good throwing QB.

Those are both single person opinions as is Hero. We could do better getting a composite ranking from the opinions of the folks in this forum.

 

[cohenzone]

Ugh.

Turner - not a quality G5 QB
Fagnano, Evers - top G5 QBs (Evers has a chance for higher)
Welliver - not able to beat out top G5 QBs as a freshman, but that does not mean he isn't a very good prospect.

So show me the drop that we've suffered in recruiting since being an Independent (you know... actual data). The rest is just nonsense you've been spewing for 2 weeks...

See, I agree Evers has a chance, but you must also agree that he has nobody raving about him including you and yet neither McDonald nor Wellever and the couple of other hs QBs on the bench beat him out. Your arguments totally ignore your illogic. And i said maybe Wellever or some other hs QB can become the starter, didn’t I. And I also said Turner got his chance and flopped lost the job to a transfer nobody loved. So show me where that is inaccurate or spewing nonsense. I am waiting. Show me the QB on the roster out of hs or the portal everyone has been thrilled by and claimed the job. You can’t because it hasn’t happened. I have not said once that it will never happen. Show me where I said that. I did say being Indy might be making it hard to attract that QB. I guess you disagree. I also said that in today’s world if we get that QB, there is every chance they split after a year or two. I guess you disagree. I know you think I am spewing garbage and I think you have blinders on. It’s what makes for discussion. You seem to be unable to be civil about it. Too bad because it just isn’t that important.

 

[Stinger92860]

The wheels on the bus go round and round…

Yearly portal entries seems a bit absurd imo, unless your goal is more money each year.

 

[cohenzone]

They will pass on us! That is my point! so we don't get that kid, we must make a decision and the decision has to be to get kids here with as much talent as possible. Then you let them play for it. At this level we cant look over our shoulder and wonder - as we look back in time if we made the right decision. First of all, we don't make decisions. Second we don't make decisions. I will cheer on whoever wears the uniforms for as long as they do. I wish we could get a talented kid to come here, succeed and stay for 5 years if possible. I wish UConn was the top pillar in football where the pigskin not the big orange ball was the premier sport. I wish I was a billionaire. These are all great wishes! But I trust in our coach because he has the job to drive this program and not to grant wishes! He coaches kids, his players and wants them to succeed as a team and individually. He wants classy kids with drive and talent! The specifics of those metrics are for him to think about. I simply support him any way I can. And I know he doesn't come to these message boards nor do his kids nor should they. So your talk about HS football recruits - well it reminds me of when the CT HS's wanted and loved the Uconn hire Paul P. The fossil who I laughed at up at Syracuse and then when he came here realized Karma just slapped me in the face. SO when it comes to HS and HS talent... keep this in mind. We can develop them we can mentor them. They will leave just like any other kid who does well in our system to a bigger name recognized school. Few kids will stay and that is because they believe the position they are in where they are will give them their best opportunity. Shine here and you may make the NFL. But no klid is staying here because he loves the fans atmosphere! They know when they leave, we will cheer just as loud as the next kid to wear that uniform. This is even more true in the NFL.

On your last point, as Seinfeld obseved, we root
for whomever is wearing our laundry. My point really isn’t that complicated. We don’t be seeming to attract hs kids capable of beating out the transfers the board criticize. And I said maybe - how the hell would i know for sure - it’s because we are an Indy not named Notre Dame. And then people throw utter nonsense at me about how the coaches try hard. Utter nonsense because anyone who thinks they aren’t trying hard is an idiot. Of course they are. The last thing I think is that anyone in any job, and for certain D1 coaching where tenure is so dependent on winning, is so suicidal that they fail on purpose. That obviously goes for Mora, but it also goes for Diaco.RE2, Pasqualoni, too. Failure doesn’t mean they were not trying their best to succeed.

 

[UConnJim]

Some kids declare for the portal because they want out. Almost always true for a walk on looking for a lower level schollie and chance to play somewhere else. Some kids declare for the portal not because they want to leave, but because they are willing to leave for a better offer. Better may mean playing time, or money, or bigger time program. But in the latter case, it just means they are open to a better offer. Doesn’t mean they will get one.

The rules on all this are being developed day by day. You may end up being right that he’s gone, but I wouldn’t put too much faith in prior year’s precedents for a game with rules changing this rapidly.

And, there are kids who enter the portal because they are told to for a variety of reasons. You almost never see a kid dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons anymore. They enter the portal.

 

[fleaflicker]

They will pass on us! That is my point! so we don't get that kid, we must make a decision and the decision has to be to get kids here with as much talent as possible. Then you let them play for it. At this level we cant look over our shoulder and wonder - as we look back in time if we made the right decision. First of all, we don't make decisions. Second we don't make decisions. I will cheer on whoever wears the uniforms for as long as they do. I wish we could get a talented kid to come here, succeed and stay for 5 years if possible. I wish UConn was the top pillar in football where the pigskin not the big orange ball was the premier sport. I wish I was a billionaire. These are all great wishes! But I trust in our coach because he has the job to drive this program and not to grant wishes! He coaches kids, his players and wants them to succeed as a team and individually. He wants classy kids with drive and talent! The specifics of those metrics are for him to think about. I simply support him any way I can. And I know he doesn't come to these message boards nor do his kids nor should they. So your talk about HS football recruits - well it reminds me of when the CT HS's wanted and loved the Uconn hire Paul P. The fossil who I laughed at up at Syracuse and then when he came here realized Karma just slapped me in the face. SO when it comes to HS and HS talent... keep this in mind. We can develop them we can mentor them. They will leave just like any other kid who does well in our system to a bigger name recognized school. Few kids will stay and that is because they believe the position they are in where they are will give them their best opportunity. Shine here and you may make the NFL. But no klid is staying here because he loves the fans atmosphere! They know when they leave, we will cheer just as loud as the next kid to wear that uniform. This is even more true in the NFL.

I think I recall Coach P losing to Michigan by 3pts. He was an outstanding coach, not only for X and Oś, but for making his players better human beings. Was coaching in the NFL until recently...

 

[Windham4th]

Do we know that Welliver was even in the mix for this season or if he & coaches decided to retain redshirt and only throw him in a few meaningless spots. Mora might, just might, have a plan for the kid. We definitely didn't need "deer in the headlights" from the QB position this year, even though it did happen to the other guys on occasion...

 

[Purple Stein]

The wheels on the bus go round and round…

Rich Rod recruited him in the portal, Rich Rod went to WVU. ZT doesn't see a future at Jacksonville State without Rich Rod's system.

ZT got us to a bowl game and I hope he lands somewhere he can play meaningful minutes and meaningful games.