Portal time 25-26

[Bootsy]

Any thoughts about Keith’s departure? The RB room is nearly empty.

[311neers]

Any thoughts about Keith’s departure? The RB room is nearly empty.

Lewis, Kanye, Alexander, Guest and one other. Think we will portal for a RB though. Or two.

[ASUFan4863]

Keith has been out of the mix for a few weeks if you get my drift.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Only saw him on field one game. Not sure if injured or just couldn’t crack the lineup. If we can keep Lewis and Kanye, we will be in good shape. If the other guys stay that would be cool, if they don’t, there are plenty of FCS guys capable of coming in for backup duty.

[Bootsy]

Maybe the RB isn’t empty, but it definitely has some question marks.

Lewis has potential, it would be great to see him stick around. Imagine what he could accomplish with an healthy OL? And I hope Kanye is healing up nicely. I’d love to see him make it back and have a breakout season.

The others? Who knows?

[Yosef84]

I saw the posts where folks were concerned about Lewis hitting the portal (based on comments on social media), but I would think we make efforts to keep him. He's a proven commodity. Unless someone is offering him a ton, I would think that leaving a situation where he is the heir apparent as feature back would be a pretty risky decision. That said, RB is a position easier to find in the portal. I am guessing we get one (Probably two) from the portal.

[BambooRdApp]

If he gets a big payday, he should go. If not material offer this year, have a season next year and consider the offers then. I do believe the change in blocking scheme was a benefit. He runs hard that is for sure.
We have to get good OL in portal.....which is not easy. The incoming freshmen will need to develop.

[Saint3333]

Good point, his rate if he waits another year could be much higher.

[Yosef84]

If he gets a big payday, he should go. If not material offer this year, have a season next year and consider the offers then. I do believe the change in blocking scheme was a benefit. He runs hard that is for sure.
We have to get good OL in portal.....which is not easy. The incoming freshmen will need to develop.

I agree with the comments on Lewis. That's why I was saying it would be risky to leave unless getting a ton (big pay day). If he left for a moderate pay day and got buried on a roster as a depth player, he would sacrifice a much bigger pay day the next year. I doubt we could get more than another year from him, and I really hate that the system has developed this way.

Given that we now have 9 incoming OL in the signing class (2 are junior college transfers), I'm thinking there are at least some who will be able to contribute even if it's for depth. I saw someone who said most will be here for Spring semester, so that is definitely a positive. I totally get that it takes time for OL to develop (usually) but some of these young men look physically capable. Unlike years past, we aren't going to have to add 20 lbs to most of them. Hopefully we get some guys back from injury, add these and add a couple from the portal maybe. Looks more promising than this past season at the very least.

[Bootsy]

In terms of key turning points for this program, many will point to this record-setting recruiting class. I would agree with them 100%; DLo and the staff crushed it.

One thing we rarely discuss is team chemistry. There were locker room issues in 2024 that carried over to 2025. I believe another key turning point happened a few months back when DLo cut players who expected preferential treatment. He had to recognize letting that much talent go would hurt in the short-term and fans might be upset...but he still made the right decision.

My point is this: it doesn't matter how many talented players are recruited if they don't buy into the HC's vision, support one another and play as a team. While DLo is bringing in solid talent, I think he's also making strides to rebuild a healthy culture. That's something we can all support.

[Stonewall]

Help wanted : Dual threat Quarterback.

[311neers]

Help wanted : Dual threat Quarterback.

Are we involved with the West Florida QB?
He made a mistake in high school as a UF commit, and it cost him, but seems to have learned and gotten better as a player with a chip on his shoulder.

I would think DLo recruited him somewhere along the way out of HS.

[Stonewall]

I know of two others.I would not be surprised but I do not know.

[appstate24]

Help wanted : Dual threat Quarterback.

Are we involved with the West Florida QB?
He made a mistake in high school as a UF commit, and it cost him, but seems to have learned and gotten better as a player with a chip on his shoulder.

I would think DLo recruited him somewhere along the way out of HS.

I saw a post on X from someone at On3 stating that App State had been in communication with him. Listed 5-6 more schools, some P4 some G5.

GO APPS!!