You know, for a time I didn't really hate UCLA. I rolled my eyes at their fans' demands and chuckled at the little brother jokes, but I would occasionally root for them in games.
Probably both in a way... 3000+ players supposedly entering the portal this cycle. They're not all going to find a home. Some of them maybe can't come back due to pride or burned bridges. Some may not fit into the new offense. I'm guessing most of ours would be welcomed back, but geeze who knows...?
First, I wonder at what point we can stop acknowledging that it is fair for a player to exercise a right to transfer (which it is), and just move onto discussing whether the guy is lame for doing so (which he is). It’s like, we don’t want to live in a society where you can’t cheat on your wife, but you are still a dick if you do it.
Second, at what point does the NIL stuff become unmoored to the school? Cannot sports agents and apparel companies and the like set up groups to exploit NIL opportunities? I don’t think it really has to have a tie in with a particular university. I think this stuff is still evolving. If there is one thing we are good at in America, it is figuring out new ways to make money off a given situation.
One other thing —- the guy who kicked the NIL stuff off is Ed O’Bannon, many years after his playing days, in a suit over a video game’s use of his likeness long after he was done playing. If you are a guy who bounces around, you kind of are neither here nor there with any fan base, and that longer term NIL money seems much less likely.
I'm just going to say I don't understand your logic. How many 5 star freshman QB's play and do well? Trevor Lawrence and CJ Stroud and who else recently? The chances of the UCLA 5 star freshman QB playing well his first year are very low if you just look at history. On the other side Samuel Jackson was the youngest guy in the rotation. Duggan was a back up and took over for the starter when he got injured and Samuel Jackson moved up to second string and actually got playing time. And, I'll take a 4.3 over a 4.5 guy ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. A 4.5 guy can be caught from behind, a 4.3 guy doesn't get caught if he's in front of you. Sorry, I just don't have the fatalistic outlook that you have. We have a new Air Raid guru at OC who got his guy who is a fucking stud and you are more worried about us performing than UCLA's new 5* QB? (Remember what happened to JT Daniels as a freshman starter? Or Quinn Ewers, the #1 recruit who didn't start as a freshman?)
Congrats on the sweet, sweet cash to Sturdivant. Obviously betting on himself that he can give up guaranteed targets + a starting spot to chase some shorter term money down south. He's likely thinking that he's gonna be able to go pro soon anyway, so he'll need a decent year in Pasadena. Genuinely hope it works out for him (minus the game in Pasadena vs Cal).
For Cal, I like the guys returning + Hightower and Nyziah Hunter (having two Hunters lining up should be a fun thing for announcers to comment on.) I think they should be somewhat able to replace the production from Sturdivant, especially w/ a more open Spavs offense. Somewhat more optimistic now about next year (Sam Jackson = electric), but the schedule is a dampener.
The NIL money and the lure of the NFL are strong enticements. But I haven't seen anyone mention that he is going from a losing program to a winning program. UCLA is coming off two winning seasons and likely will just continue under Chip Kelly. Winning is a powerful thing for young adults. I played one year of college ball, and the parties were just better and the co-eds just prettier when you won.
Doubt UCLA finishes any better than this year. Their defense isn’t good enough to compete with USC/OU/UW/Utah/WSU. Also he could see less passes at Ucla. If he’s only there for 1 year. IMO staging at Cal under Spav was the better choice.
This one stings. Sure, "blood in, blood out". But Sturdivant is not a 3rd or 2nd string guy who needs another situation to showcase his skills. He is highly skilled and an important part of the team. He had a great year and likely would have had a better one next year under Spav. This is the type of player we need to start prioritizing retaining if we expect to keep pace with the rest in our conference and the college football world. Hopefully, this is a lesson learned.
Again, not saying he isn’t awesome or hugely valuable. But a stud QB and maybe we win that game. I’m also more bullish on JMart than anyone--probably irrationally so.
Yeah, I hate theoretical scenarios, but... I feel like better coaching would have been able to result in spreading the receptions around. Getting a QB who can perform in the system of a good coach... aka stud QB if you want... should get better overall results.
I agree that he was awesome (now he's dead to me but I hope he has great success every game except CAL) and was valuable... his "single-handed" result sounds more like bad coaches than the team's need for him personally. I would have loved for him to stay, but let's get better somehow.
Straight-up? Yes. I'd feel better having two boom or bust QBs duke it out. Ott is very special, but that's a position of strength. Nothing raises the bar for us more than a gifted QB. Plus, we already have Stredick!!!!
Yeah, no way. We could have two bust QBs and no bonafide stud RB. Our RB transfers might be more physically talented than who they replaced but they are also unproven.
I'd rather give myself more chances at a competent or even great QB. The difference between having a great RB and an average one is just not as impactful on winning as the QB position is. Plus we don't even have even a modestly qualified backup at QB, which could easily derail a season no matter how good Jackson turns out.
Seen people in Reddit say he would be competing with Garbers. But there are now 4 QBs there. He was with us, don’t see why he wouldn’t try to be QB1 and beat out Jackson vs being QB3/4.
Oh man, you've never met someone more disinterested in celebrity. I would no more think about or link to who the hell Brady dates or marries or screws than chop off my arm. I'm that way about british royalty too. Don't give a flying.
But in case you didn't get the joke...Consider the possible link between your original post and the link on the other thread to whats-her -name... Just one of things that wasn't funny enough and doesn't deserve explaining... but thanks for replying!
You know, for a time I didn't really hate UCLA. I rolled my eyes at their fans' demands and chuckled at the little brother jokes, but I would occasionally root for them in games.
I've seen the error of my ways.
On a side note:
I noticed a handful of our "portaled" players have yet to commit.
Good sign?
Or they're dead to us, now.?
https://247sports.com/college/california/Season/2023-Football/TransferPortal/?institutionkey=24089
Probably both in a way... 3000+ players supposedly entering the portal this cycle. They're not all going to find a home. Some of them maybe can't come back due to pride or burned bridges. Some may not fit into the new offense. I'm guessing most of ours would be welcomed back, but geeze who knows...?
First, I wonder at what point we can stop acknowledging that it is fair for a player to exercise a right to transfer (which it is), and just move onto discussing whether the guy is lame for doing so (which he is). It’s like, we don’t want to live in a society where you can’t cheat on your wife, but you are still a dick if you do it.
Second, at what point does the NIL stuff become unmoored to the school? Cannot sports agents and apparel companies and the like set up groups to exploit NIL opportunities? I don’t think it really has to have a tie in with a particular university. I think this stuff is still evolving. If there is one thing we are good at in America, it is figuring out new ways to make money off a given situation.
One other thing —- the guy who kicked the NIL stuff off is Ed O’Bannon, many years after his playing days, in a suit over a video game’s use of his likeness long after he was done playing. If you are a guy who bounces around, you kind of are neither here nor there with any fan base, and that longer term NIL money seems much less likely.
“J mike here is your pile of money. We need a really good player that is used to playing in an empty stadium.”
Chip Kelly 2023
Doubt he is used to playing in a stadium THAT empty.
Just to muddy the waters, but this LSU QB, just entered the portal.
https://247sports.com/Player/Walker-Howard-46058715/
He going to UI I think.
Iowa, Indiana, or Illinois?
Indiana
Can we get their gymnast instead?
Dang! I promised myself I wouldn't go there.
I'm just going to say I don't understand your logic. How many 5 star freshman QB's play and do well? Trevor Lawrence and CJ Stroud and who else recently? The chances of the UCLA 5 star freshman QB playing well his first year are very low if you just look at history. On the other side Samuel Jackson was the youngest guy in the rotation. Duggan was a back up and took over for the starter when he got injured and Samuel Jackson moved up to second string and actually got playing time. And, I'll take a 4.3 over a 4.5 guy ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. A 4.5 guy can be caught from behind, a 4.3 guy doesn't get caught if he's in front of you. Sorry, I just don't have the fatalistic outlook that you have. We have a new Air Raid guru at OC who got his guy who is a fucking stud and you are more worried about us performing than UCLA's new 5* QB? (Remember what happened to JT Daniels as a freshman starter? Or Quinn Ewers, the #1 recruit who didn't start as a freshman?)
Is our only hope for the Rose Bowl to play UCLA?
Sad news for our beloved Bears!
I see a lot of comments here about Justyn Martin… Is there any more info people can share besides vague bits of hopium?
Hopium. Dude was a Cal commit. He can end up being QB3/4 or have the potential to be QB1/2 at Cal.
Congrats on the sweet, sweet cash to Sturdivant. Obviously betting on himself that he can give up guaranteed targets + a starting spot to chase some shorter term money down south. He's likely thinking that he's gonna be able to go pro soon anyway, so he'll need a decent year in Pasadena. Genuinely hope it works out for him (minus the game in Pasadena vs Cal).
For Cal, I like the guys returning + Hightower and Nyziah Hunter (having two Hunters lining up should be a fun thing for announcers to comment on.) I think they should be somewhat able to replace the production from Sturdivant, especially w/ a more open Spavs offense. Somewhat more optimistic now about next year (Sam Jackson = electric), but the schedule is a dampener.
The NIL money and the lure of the NFL are strong enticements. But I haven't seen anyone mention that he is going from a losing program to a winning program. UCLA is coming off two winning seasons and likely will just continue under Chip Kelly. Winning is a powerful thing for young adults. I played one year of college ball, and the parties were just better and the co-eds just prettier when you won.
Doubt UCLA finishes any better than this year. Their defense isn’t good enough to compete with USC/OU/UW/Utah/WSU. Also he could see less passes at Ucla. If he’s only there for 1 year. IMO staging at Cal under Spav was the better choice.
"...co-eds just prettier when you won"
They're all pretty by closing time.
LOL. Truer statement never spoken.
Do players, agents, trainers, colleges etc. pay taxes when NIL money change hands ?
Cal and J Michael Sturdivant now have something in common. We'll both be getting paid by UCLA!
He saw the Calimony and decided he wanted it too!
This one stings. Sure, "blood in, blood out". But Sturdivant is not a 3rd or 2nd string guy who needs another situation to showcase his skills. He is highly skilled and an important part of the team. He had a great year and likely would have had a better one next year under Spav. This is the type of player we need to start prioritizing retaining if we expect to keep pace with the rest in our conference and the college football world. Hopefully, this is a lesson learned.
He was almost singlehandedly the reason we were able to keep it close with USC this year.
Again, not saying he isn’t awesome or hugely valuable. But a stud QB and maybe we win that game. I’m also more bullish on JMart than anyone--probably irrationally so.
Yeah, I hate theoretical scenarios, but... I feel like better coaching would have been able to result in spreading the receptions around. Getting a QB who can perform in the system of a good coach... aka stud QB if you want... should get better overall results.
I agree that he was awesome (now he's dead to me but I hope he has great success every game except CAL) and was valuable... his "single-handed" result sounds more like bad coaches than the team's need for him personally. I would have loved for him to stay, but let's get better somehow.
We will trade for JMart!!
No one would be happier than I would. I might even be willing to throw in Stredick to make it happen. :)
Stredick is a non-starter.
What if they ask for Ott?
Straight-up? Yes. I'd feel better having two boom or bust QBs duke it out. Ott is very special, but that's a position of strength. Nothing raises the bar for us more than a gifted QB. Plus, we already have Stredick!!!!
Yeah, no way. We could have two bust QBs and no bonafide stud RB. Our RB transfers might be more physically talented than who they replaced but they are also unproven.
I'd rather give myself more chances at a competent or even great QB. The difference between having a great RB and an average one is just not as impactful on winning as the QB position is. Plus we don't even have even a modestly qualified backup at QB, which could easily derail a season no matter how good Jackson turns out.
We counter with letting them have our NIKE deal instead?
Nah, we can wear Sketchers gear or whatever but we keep Ott at all costs.
Our Nike deal might be worth less than JMS's NIL deal, and I'm not even being totally facetious.
Seen people in Reddit say he would be competing with Garbers. But there are now 4 QBs there. He was with us, don’t see why he wouldn’t try to be QB1 and beat out Jackson vs being QB3/4.
Cal is turning into the minor league school for ucla top prospects.
Plus, we have the Hunter Freshman coming in. Right?
yes, Nyziah Hunter
Hightower for JMike? Seems a tit for tat.
Reasonable point, but please don't also start linking to Giselle...
Oh man, you've never met someone more disinterested in celebrity. I would no more think about or link to who the hell Brady dates or marries or screws than chop off my arm. I'm that way about british royalty too. Don't give a flying.
Bless you! Bless you!
But in case you didn't get the joke...Consider the possible link between your original post and the link on the other thread to whats-her -name... Just one of things that wasn't funny enough and doesn't deserve explaining... but thanks for replying!