DaveBird10
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2017
- Messages
- 1,389
How does our list compare to rest of Valley? Looks like mostly definitive moves up (SMU/NIU) or down (DII) a level.
I’m surprised at some of the names leaving on the defensive side, given how solid they were last year, but I guess everyone has their reasons.
I also wonder if some dip their toes in the water, then decide to return. Portal can get crowded and there are only so many musical chairs. Would Spack take them back - a la Muller with Chatman?
Come in off the ledge Dmills
Yes, that list shows a number of losses, but "real" contributors, well, Reid, Simon, Brown, Peyton. I'll give Jefferson his due, but he's going to DII and got moved out of his starting job. Edgar and Rutkiewicz had their days, but . . .
Look at the incoming, an FBS transfer to replace Edgar and Rutkiewicz at WR, and JC starting OL from a team that played for the national championship. FBS DB transfer to plug in for Iverson and Brown, and a QB with Big 10 starting experience.
I'm cautiously optimistic. Plus, possible some come back (Zeke Vandenburgh did last time).
Losses feel like they are starting to pile up. Let me know if I missed anyone.
Iverson Brown surprises me since his brother Dallas Brown just signed with the Birds in November and since Iverson started and really had a nice year. Maybe as dpdough and Madbird says he might be testing the waters to see what's out there at the Power5 to see if he might have a starting spot or something.
The transfer portal giveth and taketh away. The defense doesn't really worry me after the number of losses we had after the 2019/2020 season and the spring 2021 season. Spack knows his defense and will build it back up. Spack always has walk-ons like Franky West from Normal Community ready to step right in and play.