Transfer Portal Thread

[FUwolfpacker]

One thing noticeable about Davis Watson is he can run.

I suspect Furman is going to be targeting OTs that can get to the second level and cut off pursuit on these zone runs.

This was my first thought as well. Watson can certainly move well (at least from what my untrained eyes can tell). If those 2 win starting spots, it will be interesting to see where they end up. I can't remember for sure, but I think they were both at LT in their clips.

I'm hopeful they'll both help. The Collins kid has barely played in 4 years though, so I'm trying to keep my expectations reasonable. Watson seems like he's played enough to have a decent idea what you're going to get.

If the coaches feel like we need a little better mobility to help with the zone runs, it wouldn't surprise me if O'Dell earned a spot sooner than later. I saw more than one reporter mention how good he was when they would get him moving at Broome. His highlight film showed that as well.

[The Jackal]

As I see it, Furman lost at least two guys "earlier" than their eligibility, Balliew and EJ Wilson. They will likely "replace" those two on the roster with two grad students - Watson and Collins.

So, we will return the entire two deep but for Wilson and Balliew, but ostensibly replace those two with grad transfers. So, I suspect we'll be improved in that capacity.

[FUwolfpacker]

Was going through the numbers today just to see where we are. By my count we are at 64 scholarship players at this point (using the method of counting players announced by the school as a signee or transfer) including the 7 new transfers and Stephens. There are probably several guys who are a partial scholarship to make the 63 scholarship number work, but just doing it this way to make the numbers easier.

Considering these numbers, it's growing more and more probable that we aren't going to be adding a RB right now. There is always the option of the spring portal as well. Part of me was wondering if maybe the coaches were looking to move Ragano to RB (I know he's listed at WR) since we lost 1 WR (Hinton) but are bringing in 2 (King and Ragano).

[The Jackal]

Was going through the numbers today just to see where we are. By my count we are at 64 scholarship players at this point (using the method of counting players announced by the school as a signee or transfer) including the 7 new transfers and Stephens. There are probably several guys who are a partial scholarship to make the 63 scholarship number work, but just doing it this way to make the numbers easier.

Considering these numbers, it's growing more and more probable that we aren't going to be adding a RB right now. There is always the option of the spring portal as well. Part of me was wondering if maybe the coaches were looking to move Ragano to RB (I know he's listed at WR) since we lost 1 WR (Hinton) but are bringing in 2 (King and Ragano).

I'm assuming that means that Furman feels like Jayquan Smith will be a full "go" this fall.

I'm also assuming that Furman may like what they have in Ben Croasdale, Jalil Garvin-Mingo, and Kevin Everheart. All three have seen the field some over the last year or two. Those are three guys that are sort of "built" in the zone run model.

[AstroDin]

Just a quick look: three incoming freshmen also played running back in HS
Connor Adams 5-11, 180 - 11 touchdowns on offense as a senior
Caleb Easterling 5-1,0 175 - totaled 2,305 all-purpose yards, including 1,094 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns 315 receiving yards, and two scores in his career
Caleb Ellison 6-0, 220 - played linebacker and running back. BTW… Ellison is a physical linebacker - and awesome highlights.

[gofurman]

We also have the OT from Wake Forest coming in. This is what I hate about the portal. A guy like Brasher has to be wondering if he will have a starting spot. Does he move inside which then put pressure on other FurMen.

Yep. Pretty poorly kept secret there. We should be a lot better at OT this year. Brasher could move inside.

These two OT cement this staffs obvious new philosophy at OL - If you are going to miss, miss big and long.

When they were listing the size of the Texas and Ohio State offensive line… I couldn't help but think about the size of the line Furman will have next year. Furman's O-Line will be longer, not as heavy, but longer. Throw in another 6-7 TE. We BIG!

Exactly, posted this in a thread a while back. The trend in philosophy here is unmistakable. They seem to have to have a VERY good reason last two seasons to take a guy under 6-4 at G or T. That is an intentional choice.

BIG is good.. .but you better be able to MOVE. For years we have been better than many FCS teams who have bigger OL etc. I have watched us beat SC State etc. in some years where all they did was brag about the size of their OL.

As FUBeAR etc note... heart and hustle will beat a fat slow dude every time. Now size and speed and technique will win - to whit:

Our best OL in past few years (or one of two) ------ "GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman (2X) All-America offensive guard Jacob Johanning has inked a free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, it has been confirmed.

A Simpsonville, S.C., product, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Johanning was selected as the SoCon's top offensive lineman in 2023 by capturing the Jacobs Blocking Award and collected All-America honors from the AFCA, Associated Press, and Stats Perform this past season after serving as a team co-captain and helping the Paladins to a 10-3 campaign, SoCon championship, FCS quarterfinal round playoff appearance.

[AstroDin]

^^^
I'm not sure how much you've read of the posts by Jackal and FuWolfpacker. It's not just my post that WE BIG! My point was we're long, not just BIG… none of those are carrying IMO excess weight. If you think Watson (the Cornell transfer) is slow - we see things differently.

Concerning Jake — He had two offers out of HS, Wofford and Furman. Gman and I watched Jake play at SJCS, we believed he was special, and so did Clay Hendrix. Our coaches, Hendrix and McCutchan, know what they're doing. I'm not sure what your point is about Jake.

[gman84]

Jake was also a beast in the weight room! He came to Furman with a D1 body. Yes, he benefited from the strength staff. But he was basically ready to go from the day he showed up.

[FUBeAR]

Furman’s 99 All SoCon OL selections and their listed altitudes…the 6 individuals listed over 6-4 are shown in bold

2024 - Luke Petit - 6-3
2023 - Jacob Johanning - 6-3
2023 - Wyatt Hughes - 6-3
2023 - Pearson Toomey - 6-3
2022 - Jacob Johanning - 6-3
2022 - Pearson Toomey - 6-3
2022 - Anderson Tomlin - 6-5
2021 - Anderson Tomlin - 6-5
2021 - Pearson Toomey - 6-3
2020 - Anderson Tomlin - 6-5
2019 - Jordan Harris - 6-4
2019 - Bo Layton - 6-7
2018 - Bo Layton - 6-7
2018 - Andy Godwin - 6-4
2017 - Terrell Bush - 6-4
2017 - Matthew Schmidt - 6-3
2016 - Matthew Schmidt - 6-3
2015 - Joe Turner - 6-3
2014 - Joe Turner - 6-3
2013 - Dakota Dozier - 6-4
2012 - Dakota Dozier - 6-4
2011 - Dakota Dozier - 6-4
2011 - Ryan Lee - 6-4
2009 - Tyler Haynes - 6-2
2008 - Thomas Slaughter - 6-4
2008 - Joel Bell - 6-8
2007 - Joel Bell - 6-7
2006 - Joel Bell - 6-7
2006 - John Kivett - 6-3
2006 - Andrew Thornburg - 6-3
2006 - Reggie Goolsby - 6-1
2005 - Corey Stewart - 6-2
2005 - Patrick Covington - 6-3
2005 - John Kivett - 6-2
2005 - Brian Laggis - 6-3
2004 - Corey Stewart - 6-2
2004 - Patrick Covington - 6-3
2004 - Ben Bainbridge - 6-6
2003 - Ben Bainbridge - 6-6
2003 - Corey Stewart - 6-2
2003 - Clayton Dyson - 6-1
2002 - Trevor Kruger - 6-2
2002 - Steven Cain - 6-5
2001 - Donnie Littlejohn - 6-3
2001 - Chris Stewart - 6-0
2001 - Marty Priore - 6-1
2000 - Donnie Littlejohn - 6-3
2000 - Chris Stewart - 5-11
2000 - Marty Priore - 6-1
2000 - Josh Moore - 6-5
1999 - Josh Moore - 6-4
1999 - Ben Hall - 6-4
1997 - Mark Foster - 6-2
1997 - Lee Drake - 6-4
1995 - Brian Fisher - 6-2
1994 - Brian Fisher - 6-2
1993 - Brian Fisher - 6-2
1992 - Fred Sturgis - 6-1
1991 - Eric Walter - 6-2
1991 - Kyle Lowery - 6-3
1990 - Eric Walter - 6-2
1990 - Kyle Lowery - 6-3
1990 - Steve Duggan - 6-2
1989 - Steve Duggan - 6-3
1989 - David Adams - 6-0
1988 - Steve Duggan - 6-2
1988 - Fe Cowan - 6-0
1988 - Elton Bailey - 5-11
1987 - Fe Cowan - 6-0
1987 - Alex Albert - 6-0
1986 - Alex Albert - 6-0
1985 - Gene Reeder - 5-11
1984 - Gene Reeder - 5-11
1983 - Paul Johannessen - 6-1
1983 - Dan Sleet - 6-2
1982 - Briggs Traylor - 6-1
1982 - Mike Coleman - 6-0
1982 - Bart Heres - 6-2
1982 - Hollis Barton - 6-0
1981 - Mike Coleman - 5-11
1981 - Steve Lloyd - 6-2
1981 - Charlie Anderson - 6-2
1980 - Mike Coleman - 6-0
1980 - Steve Lloyd - 6-2
1980 - Charlie Anderson - 6-2
1979 - Stan Stanley - 5-11
1979 - Bobby Woods - 6-3
1978 - Rickey Young - 6-2
1978 - Hal Westlake - 6-3
1977 - Ken Cadle - 6-3
1976 - Jeff Holcomb - 6-2
1973 - Danny Utley - 6-2
1972 - Danny Utley - 6-2
1970 - Butch Kersey - 5-11
1970 - Peyton Barton - 6-2
1967 - Robbie Patterson - 6-0
1954 - Webster Williams - 5-11
1953 - Vince Perone - 5-10

[gman84]

How about that 1982 foursome!

[FUBeAR]

How about that 1982 foursome!

2000, 2005, and 2006 also accomplished the rare SoCon OL QuadHonor.

Lots of 3-ways, but only those 4 seasons were able to snag a foursome.

Never been a fivesome.

Maybe we can get there in 2025 with all of this length!

[gman84]

And Sluggo ( aka, Mike Coleman) was 6’0” in 1980, shrunk to 5’11” in 1981, then rebounded back to 6’0” in 1982. Serious length issues.

[FUBeAR]

And Sluggo ( aka, Mike Coleman) was 6’0” in 1980, shrunk to 5’11” in 1981, then rebounded back to 6’0” in 1982. Serious length issues.

Played Florida in early 81.

Wilber Marshall (who should be in the NFL Hall of Fame) pounded Sluggo down an inch, but his neck rejuvenated before ‘82.

There’s several that fluctuated like that.

FUBeAR is 6-2-1/2, but could never get them to list him @ 6-3. Prolly what kept FUBeAR out of the NFL - lack of listed length.

[The Jackal]

Jaydon Collins now listed on the roster at 6'6 310.

[The Jackal]

It's interesting to watch the shift in recruiting.

Last season, Furman announced the signing of 16 players (12 in December, 4 in February) and later announced 3 transfers midsummer.

This season, Furman announced signing 10 players in December, but has since added 8 transfers in December. My guess is that if all of these transfers are on the roster, they are enrolled at school and will participate in spring practices.

It's just a different environment. I was looking at Kerry King, the new transfer WR from East Carolina. I have no idea how good he is, but he is listed as having two years of eligibility. He appears to be a 2020 high school grad.

So, Furman is, in some way, trading two years of Colton Hinton for two years of Kerry King. Furman, while it looks different, is essentially getting four seasons of a starter-caliber WR they wanted in the form of two different players.