Transfer Portal Thread

[AstroDin]

Everyone is talking about the 6’7” tight end from Newberry but remember we lost our starting TE in the first game last year, Josh Burrell from Florida St. so he will be back.

Furman is going to have several big "tweener" types that are part TE and part pass catcher.

I suspect a few of those guys will bulk up over the summer and we'll have at least an impressive looking TE corps getting off the bus.

It's worth remembering the Pline matchup against Montana. In the fourth quarter, Pline took over, and Montana was at a massive matchup disadvantage.
Fast forward to 25, Furman will have two 6-7 tight ends, one coming in at a hefty 265 pounds. A 6-5 TE who averaged 14.94 yards per catch as a true freshman and an athletic 6-3 TE returning from injury. I love the potential of this group.

[FUBeAR]

Everyone is talking about the 6’7” tight end from Newberry but remember we lost our starting TE in the first game last year, Josh Burrell from Florida St. so he will be back.

Furman is going to have several big "tweener" types that are part TE and part pass catcher.

I suspect a few of those guys will bulk up over the summer and we'll have at least an impressive looking TE corps getting off the bus.

It's worth remembering the Pline matchup against Montana. In the fourth quarter, Pline took over, and Montana was at a massive matchup disadvantage.
Fast forward to 25, Furman will have two 6-7 tight ends, one coming in at a hefty 265 pounds. A 6-5 TE who averaged 14.94 yards per catch as a true freshman and an athletic 6-3 TE returning from injury. I love the potential of this group.

Sad to say this, but against Ole Miss, many, or even most, of our guys looked as if they didn’t even belong on the same field as the Ole Miss Players. FUBeAR guesses that when you have a bunch of kids who recently qualified to get their Learner’s Permit to drive facing a bunch of grown-a$$ men that are paid professional Football Players, it’s a-gonna look a-sumpin’ like that.

BUT … FUBeAR did note that in his few reps, Josh Burrell looked like and carried himself like he belonged out there. REALLY hated it when he was injured. REALLY looking & anticipating to see what he can do for our Paladins this upcoming season. Just might give us some of what Ryan Miller gave us in the recent past. Hope so!!

[apaladin]

Everyone is talking about the 6’7” tight end from Newberry but remember we lost our starting TE in the first game last year, Josh Burrell from Florida St. so he will be back.

Furman is going to have several big "tweener" types that are part TE and part pass catcher.

I suspect a few of those guys will bulk up over the summer and we'll have at least an impressive looking TE corps getting off the bus.

It's worth remembering the Pline matchup against Montana. In the fourth quarter, Pline took over, and Montana was at a massive matchup disadvantage.
Fast forward to 25, Furman will have two 6-7 tight ends, one coming in at a hefty 265 pounds. A 6-5 TE who averaged 14.94 yards per catch as a true freshman and an athletic 6-3 TE returning from injury. I love the potential of this group.

Sad to say this, but against Ole Miss, many, or even most, of our guys looked as if they didn’t even belong on the same field as the Ole Miss Players.

FUBeAR-Agree in all my years watching FU aganst the big boys this was the first time I felt that way. By far the worst beatdown I have ever seen a FU team endure.

[The Jackal]

We saw the Ole Miss result coming, honestly.

That was arguably the best football team Furman had ever played, and we were attacking them with a bunch of freshmen. The only thing that was moderately surprising was that the Rebels never really called off the dogs.

[FUATT]

We saw the Ole Miss result coming, honestly.

That was arguably the best football team Furman had ever played, and we were attacking them with a bunch of freshmen. The only thing that was moderately surprising was that the Rebels never really called off the dogs.

Agreed.

Honestly, our TE and WR rooms next year are going to be top tier in FCS in my opinion. And I believe we will see QB8 take a huge stride ahead. With the OL talent we brought if, if we get that to gel... if Smith comes back healthy and full speed and we have him, Hall and Nettles... .

This offense could be downright scary.

[Davemeister]

I hope you mean "scary" for the Other Team.

[The Jackal]

We saw the Ole Miss result coming, honestly.

That was arguably the best football team Furman had ever played, and we were attacking them with a bunch of freshmen. The only thing that was moderately surprising was that the Rebels never really called off the dogs.

Agreed.

Honestly, our TE and WR rooms next year are going to be top tier in FCS in my opinion. And I believe we will see QB8 take a huge stride ahead. With the OL talent we brought if, if we get that to gel... if Smith comes back healthy and full speed and we have him, Hall and Nettles... .

This offense could be downright scary.

I don't coach Furman's football team, but I can only imagine getting the running game going would be the first, second, and third most important thing to focus on for 2025.

[FUATT]

We saw the Ole Miss result coming, honestly.

That was arguably the best football team Furman had ever played, and we were attacking them with a bunch of freshmen. The only thing that was moderately surprising was that the Rebels never really called off the dogs.

Agreed.

Honestly, our TE and WR rooms next year are going to be top tier in FCS in my opinion. And I believe we will see QB8 take a huge stride ahead. With the OL talent we brought if, if we get that to gel... if Smith comes back healthy and full speed and we have him, Hall and Nettles... .

This offense could be downright scary.

I don't coach Furman's football team, but I can only imagine getting the running game going would be the first, second, and third most important thing to focus on for 2025.

I mean, it has to be right? At least for the offensive staff. Mercer ran for 194 team YPG last year. We ran for 89.8 YPG. Last in the SoCon.

Has to be priority ONE.

But... in a surprising stat, we were dead last YPG defense in the SoCon last year giving up 431 YPG, and our pass D was last giving up 254 a game. Our Run D was third from last in the SoCon giving up 177 a game.

So getting after the QB and covering guys is a bit of a priority too...

[apaladin]

Agreed getting the run game going would be a great step but there are/were many other issues. About the only part that doesn’t need major improvement is the kicking game.

[The Jackal]

Agreed getting the run game going would be a great step but there are/were many other issues. About the only part that doesn’t need major improvement is the kicking game.

Running the ball and stopping the run will assist in resolving a lot of other issues.

[FUBeAR]

Just sayin’ …

[FUATT]

Just sayin’ …

Good for buddy here. But buddy Willie is not ranked on any IOL NFL draft board I can see.

Everyone who is is at least 6-3 and weighs at least 310. It doesn't mean you can't get the job done, especially at our level, at 6-1 and 285 or so. But, I looked at the AFCA 2024 FCS All American team for reference:

First Team
OL Gus Miller 6-3 295 Sr. South Dakota St. Jimmy Rogers Brookings, S.D. (Brookings)
OL *Marcus Wehr 6-4 300 Sr. Montana St. Brent Vigen Billings, Mont. (Central)
OL *Charles Grant 6-4 300 Sr. William & Mary Mike London Portsmouth, Va. (Churchland)
OL Grey Zabel 6-6 305 Sr. North Dakota St. Tim Polasek Pierre, S.D. (T.F. Riggs)
OL Jackson Slater 6-4 326 Sr. Sacramento St. Andy Thompson Bellevue, Wash. (Newport)

Second Team
OL Conner Moore 6-5 310 So. Montana St. Brent Vigen Millbury, Ohio (Lake)
OL Brandon Casey 6-5 309 Sr. Montana Bobby Hauck Sandpoint, Idaho (Sandpoint)
OL Cam Johnson 6-4 300 Sr. South Carolina St. Chennis Berry Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork)
OL Evan Beerntsen 6-4 300 Sr. South Dakota St. Jimmy Rogers De Pere, Wis. (Appleton North)
OL Carson Vinson 6-6 305 Sr. Alabama A&M Connell Maynor Morrisville, N.C. (Panther Creek)

So.... yeah. Only one guy at 6-3 295 and the rest are at least 6-4 300+

It is what it is. And we are trending in this direction too.

[FUBeAR]

Just sayin’ …

Good for buddy here. But buddy Willie is not ranked on any IOL NFL draft board I can see.

Everyone who is is at least 6-3 and weighs at least 310. It doesn't mean you can't get the job done, especially at our level, at 6-1 and 285 or so. But, I looked at the AFCA 2024 FCS All American team for reference:

First Team
OL Gus Miller 6-3 295 Sr. South Dakota St. Jimmy Rogers Brookings, S.D. (Brookings)
OL *Marcus Wehr 6-4 300 Sr. Montana St. Brent Vigen Billings, Mont. (Central)
OL *Charles Grant 6-4 300 Sr. William & Mary Mike London Portsmouth, Va. (Churchland)
OL Grey Zabel 6-6 305 Sr. North Dakota St. Tim Polasek Pierre, S.D. (T.F. Riggs)
OL Jackson Slater 6-4 326 Sr. Sacramento St. Andy Thompson Bellevue, Wash. (Newport)

Second Team
OL Conner Moore 6-5 310 So. Montana St. Brent Vigen Millbury, Ohio (Lake)
OL Brandon Casey 6-5 309 Sr. Montana Bobby Hauck Sandpoint, Idaho (Sandpoint)
OL Cam Johnson 6-4 300 Sr. South Carolina St. Chennis Berry Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork)
OL Evan Beerntsen 6-4 300 Sr. South Dakota St. Jimmy Rogers De Pere, Wis. (Appleton North)
OL Carson Vinson 6-6 305 Sr. Alabama A&M Connell Maynor Morrisville, N.C. (Panther Creek)

So.... yeah. Only one guy at 6-3 295 and the rest are at least 6-4 300+

It is what it is. And we are trending in this direction too.

Good thing Furman is not in playing in the NFC East next season, huh? Would have to face the Giants 2x.

Also … FUwolfpacker and FUBeAR discussed these FCS All- American dudes in posts #96739 & #96740 in this thread. It’s some good readin’