I thought he was a senior. He has eligibility? And leaving?!

well he's saying that he's applying for a waiver so as it stands I don't think he has eligibility

I don’ see an argument for a waiver other than the JC years not counting.

i'm genuinely wondering where ridley will end up after this awful season

this might sound dumb, but i thought that some of his struggles had to do with 'scheme'. I HATED that they field goal team huddled, then sprinted up to the line like they were trying to fool the opponent. Just get the line up there, make sure they are set and ready to cover the pressure, and let your kicker focus on the uprights.

These portal entries reminds me of basketball last year when several guys who had exhausted their eligibility (DeBruhl, Johnson) put their names in hoping that some waiver might be granted.

i wonder if this can be credited to our tendency to play overly fast... there were hundreds of moments where we had the lead and 100% should've been moving a little slower to keep the clock ticking but kept the tone like we were down 20. clock management basics felt a little off all season

even when we play fast on offense, we rarely rush up to the line and snap quick. It just never made sense to have the protection rush up there before we set up for the kick. Did it for both FG and PAT, where the play clock shouldn't be an issue. I think it was all strategic - a way to get the opponent off guard in case we run a fake.

We'd have to check the film, but did the holder and kicker also join the sugar huddle, or was it just the protection? If it included the kicker and holder, then I agree 100% on revisiting that. If not, then moot point if the holder and kicker were separate.

pretty sure they were all clustered around the kicker.

That's wild. Those freaks are usually taking their measuring steps and making sure all the stars are aligned and gauging the wind and geometry

Finally, something happened today... According to his X post (@BoogieSylvester), the Aggies have offered Weber State RS FR Running Back Chauncey Sylvester. Hails from St. John Bosco in SoCal. 305 yards on 60 carries and 4 TD last season. I like the sound of a Tailback called "Boogie"

With some great talent leaving/graduating at TE and RB I am not surprised we are looking to replinish some of that talent in the portal but I am wondering with so much talent leaving the safety room as well why there haven't been just as many offers to address that... Perhaps more great young talent expected to step up and immediately play well?

When's the next big signing date?

Feb. 4th

We have been pretty quiet. We have some really big holes to fill and I’m not seeing the offers go out. Edge, TE (hopefully the one we offered commits), nickel, safety, big RB, Big Receiver, Tackle…

Last year they announced transfers starting January 16th so hopefully we get some more clarification in the next couple of days if that trend continues

Yes as supreme stated, we announced all of our transfers at the end of the transfer period instead of one at time as they came in. I would be shocked if we have zero transfers locked in.

Transfer Portal period ends January 16. We may get word at that time.
JC Transfers and late high school Signing Day is February 4th. We will definitely have this thing pieced together by February 5th.

I think the Psyche replacement and the Left Tackle replacement are the key pieces that warrant immediate, grad transfer/portal types. TE and RB have one proven guy each with young depth behind them, but it says something to the state of readiness of those back-ups if we have portal offers at those positions. Nickel/Safety the same thing. Look at what offers are out there and that will tell you what the coaches are thinking of the young guys coming up.

Since we're in off-season opining mode, let's discuss the merits of smallish RBs vs. the "big back". A big back is typically seen as slower, but more powerful, with a greater ability to run through arm tackles in short yardage situations. In my opinion, that is a nice luxury to have. "Big backs" that jumped out to me were Victor Dawson (#5, 5'11" 220) from Illinois State and Davis from Montana State (#32, 5'10" 210). A program needs to be in the portal to find those guys, and you have to be willing to pay. Dawson was from Cincinnati while Davis came from Wisconsin. They come with a price tag. And, in retrospect, was either one of them any more valuable than the small backs from UC Davis? Different offensive roles, certainly. Fisher gets most of his carries on 1st down and run down situations. 14 carries per game is his average, 2 catches per game. 16 touches. Dawson was a volume rusher who got stronger as the game progressed and dictated. Good zone runner. Davis was more of a change-up guy to compliment the QB run threat. While a 3rd and 4th down situational back would be a luxury, for what the Aggies offense asks of its tailback, I would argue (not sure who I'm arguing with) that the team is better served spending money elsewhere. Like Defensive End and Left Tackle. This is no knock on Fish; in fact, he is the perfect RB for Plough's offense in my opinion. Great in space in the screen/passing game, outstanding on the outside runs and gap schemes, willing pass blocker (sometimes gets run over, but he ain't scared). I love his game. Dynamic, home run hitter who can take it to the house on any carry. I hold my breath when he has the ball. When I watched Dawson and Davis, that was not the case. What I'm getting at is that a big back is not necessarily the best fit for the Aggie offense. As we learned, there aren't enough carries to go around and keep guys happy. An "RB by committee" or an elite RB with capable back-ups is just fine.

While a portal LT would sure be nice, I think we have a lot of OL depth & talent. The staff seems high on Hasson and Cleeland (they found ways to get them on the field... I think one was even on kick return). Jace Rodriguez played tackle before transferring to Davis. All three are guys with OT builds and athleticism.

In no way am I arguing against getting a portal LT! But if we don't, this is probably why.

My thought also. The team hasn’t offered a transfer tackle. Rodriguez not only played tackle he started at the position for a year. There are a number of sophomore o linemen on the depth chart.

I am with you 100% on having an in-house guy over a portal transfer. Especially on the Offensive Line and at that position. The staff must feel confident with our homegrown Tackles if they aren't offering portal/grad transfers. Good sign!

I’m going to miss watching Caden Pinnick and I appreciate that $ is an important motivator. But it’s not the only currency at play. How much is a UC Davis education worth over a lifetime and career? Much less living in Northern California, and making deep connections with the people who will be fellow alumni. I am guessing that Pinnick didn’t see himself as having a good shot at a pro career as a QB, so his chance to earn a pot of money to start out life is now, not in 4-5 years. So how much of a pot is a UC degree worth with the connections and educational reputation it represents, in comparison with a WSU degree and experience? What would it have taken you to make that choice if it was yours?

Let's see... $500-750k and a house, or even a nice condo, in the Pullman area with incentives based on my performance. And maybe a truck with 4WD. With a gunrack.

I don't know how you quantitate the value of the UC Davis degree. All your points are very valid.

I think I can be bought cheaper than most since money for me is always a constant issue. I think I can be persuaded with as little as $20k per year additional money plus all tuition paid to a mediocre university.

I think we tend to devalue degrees from other schools too much. This comes from our historical competitors not offering much academically. Washington State isn’t Sac State. Also if Pinnick succeeds there as a player, there will be a large alumni population who he can have connections with.

The degree argument was great in the late 90s and early 2000s but the job market is shit. You can be a Harvard grad and have a really tough time. Take the money..

We just need a big back for red zone and short yardage. It was a weakness of ours once Vargas got injured. I’m thinking 8 carries a game for a power back.

On second thought, I probably wouldn't be bought that cheaply. That's because this would assume I'm good as Caden, my tuition is already paid for at UCD, and I'm already settled and comfortable at UCD for two years. Perhaps $100k is my minimum.

Let's go! Don't underestimate your value