The difference is that the other programs have kids coming in from the 2026 recruiting class.
2025/26 Transfer Portal & Roster Changes Thread
- Thread starter GregInPitt
- Start date
Sheriff Coffee
Well-known member
We should have lots of NIL money
What's "lots"? I don't think we have as much as Oregon with Nike money or OSU with 10 Fortune 1000 companies based in Columbus.
GregInPitt
Well-known member
That's true, but most 2026 recruits don't play much or at all in 2026. To offset some of the loss of a full 2026 class Campbell will have to bring in a few 2025 class players that develop this year and a big 2027 class. Then next winter get a few key 2026 class players that are already in the portal.
For me the biggest losses are from the 2024 and 2025 classes that are now in the portal. Players such as Harvey who have already shown they would have been serious contributors in 2026 and beyond. They will be hard to replace and could require multiple replacements for each one over the next few years.
It's the wealth of the graduates, I'm thinking. Dartmouth College in Hanover NH for example has a huge endowment due to its alumni. Penn State has many wealthy graduates, whether they are business creators, work in finance, commercial real estate, etc. It's like the Texas oil tycoon stories and UT/TAMU/TTU. Oil is drilled in the North Sea, Indonesia, Alberta, etc. Texans don't have the market cornered.
GregInPitt
Well-known member
Saw the exit count go up by 1, I believe for the LB Nelson.
But good news about the ISU TE committing to PSU, Benjamin Brahmer who is a .94 portal 4 star with only 1 year of eligibility. Gonna need a couple young TE's to stay as both Rapp and Brahmer will likely be gone after 2026, but that's todays college football.
Just saw Olesh and Henderson, 2025 class TE's, added to the portal by 247
But good news about the ISU TE committing to PSU, Benjamin Brahmer who is a .94 portal 4 star with only 1 year of eligibility. Gonna need a couple young TE's to stay as both Rapp and Brahmer will likely be gone after 2026, but that's todays college football.
Just saw Olesh and Henderson, 2025 class TE's, added to the portal by 247
Last edited:
LudicrousSpeedGO!
Well-known member
Ohio state isn't even top 50 in number of ceo alums.
LudicrousSpeedGO!
Well-known member
Wealth and caring. It does no good for football if the wealthy alums aren't engaged with the program. You need wealthy donors who care like Pegula. What should matter is the number of $100m+ alums who are engaged. If you have $100m+, the interest on your investment assets is enough to buy several difference makers in the portal annually if the football team's performance is something you are passionate about. I don't have that kind of money and if I did, I'm not sure this is how I would want to make a difference. For some though, a few million is noise.
Maybe naming rights by position could work. "The Frank Lee Weak-Side Linebacker" position.
So if Campbell's specialty is developing players, it is concerning that Brahmer is not much of a blocker
GregInPitt
Well-known member
Tengwall has some interesting comments and talks about positions of need from the portal.
Brahmer sounds like what Olesh could be. A great receiving TE. I have no idea what kind of blocker he is at this point but in pregame I enjoyed watching Olesh catch the ball and he’s huge and moves really well. Was really hoping he’d stick around and be the future.
In regards to Reynolds leaving, I was really disappointed in his blocking this year. Too many plays blown up when he was blocking (or not). But he’s young and a 5 star so was hoping he’d stick around with Rapp and Olesh. That would be a great TE room but perhaps too expensive in today’s college football salary provisions (by position)?
Unfortunately, Olesh is in the portal
Why would so many players be leaving if PSU had unlimited money to throw at them?
Pennstate_one
Active member
Lol I haven't looked at any virginia tech forums, but I bet they are all on board laughing and thinking they're going to the natty. 
LudicrousSpeedGO!
Well-known member
Because $30m has to be divided up to 105 players in the most efficient way possible. You cannot overvalue players, or you are hurting yourself at other position groups. So many players will think they can command more value in free agency. Let them try. Nearly 4000 players in the portal. There are only a handful of teams with more NIL to work with this year. Maybe one of those will overvalue them? Or maybe they will find themselves in a worse opportunity? It doesn't work out for 4000 of 4000 players. It's just numbers. If you have no loyalty, it is just numbers.
Because the players want to test the market and the coaches have maybe a 60% idea on a players worth. Pay Rapp his asking price but not meeting what Mack believes he's worth. It's price discovery in the free market. And every school has enough money to buy a decent team, but few may want to pay a lot for a bunch of 5*s. After watching Indiana, even that dynamic may have changed. It could be that LSU, Kiffin, and their bought roster may not deliver what they intended.
For Campbell to be successful, I think he needs to change the culture. We will likely never know, but maybe some of the players leaving did not like Campbell's vision.
Maybe some committed to Franklin and not PSU? That almost has to be true for a few at least