It only looks like 'Apples to Apples'...but it's not

Salty55® · 2025-10-13T14:19:39.229Z

So Indiana and Cignetti are the hot name now...and deservedly so. Still, do NOT think portal players going to Indiana are the same as portal players to 'Big Name' programs. They aren't. Indiana - players with something to prove (there are a LOT out there) - flowers Big Name - Get. Paid. (there are too many out there) - weeds that look like flowers When the portal opens, let's see if some of the Hoosier players' motivation changes. That's taking zilch away from Cignetti's performance, but his challenges will deepen.

Re: It only looks like 'Apples to Apples'...but it's not

Great theory. It is possible to recruit high character players through the portal. Strong evidence points to the model working. I cite every championship team since the portal exploded. They all have a minimum of 15% of their starters from the portal and as high as 45%. Indian didnt grab all these portal this season from the portal. The majority came the season before. They did take 17 additions and lost nine to much smaller schools this year.

My theory is that the portal is the new model. I don’t like it. Not using the portal in the NCAA is like an NFL team not engaging in free agency.

All of this could change at any moment but it will take legislation to change it. The court rulings favor the model as it is, unfortunately.

RC Tiger®

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AI can be a useful tool...

Oct 13, 2025, 10:42 AM

10 of 19 players that transferred in via portal that are new for 2025 listed below are from P4 schools (exact number of transfers varies by source).

Breakdown by Previous School:
James Madison: 4 players (Stephens, Laing, Clapper, Alexander)
Maryland: 1 player (Hemby)
California: 1 player (Mendoza)
Michigan: 1 player (Morris)
Tennessee: 1 player (Staes)
Northern Illinois: 1 player (Knighten)
TCU: 1 player (Nelson Jr.)
Western Kentucky: 1 player (Larkins)
Iowa: 1 player (Herron)
Florida A&M: 1 player (Bohler)
Arkansas: 1 player (Wilson)
Purdue: 1 player (Mockobee)
East Carolina: 1 player (Grier)
Rice: 1 player (Mendeszoon)
Oklahoma State: 1 player (Carter)
Wisconsin: 1 player (Fourqurean)

Key Insights: Overall Talent Level: Of the players with available ratings, about 60% were 3-star or higher out of high school, with a strong emphasis on 4-star talent at skill positions (e.g., Hemby, Morris, Nelson Jr.). This aligns with Indiana's strategy under Curt Cignetti to target proven producers who were solid but not elite HS prospects.

Highest Rated: Roman Hemby (4-star, No. 18 RB nationally in 2022 per 247Sports) and Tyler Morris (4-star, No. 28 WR in 2023).

Lowest Rated/Notable Develops: Players like Makai Jackson and Derrick Bohler were unrated or low 2-stars but have since become key contributors, exemplifying portal success stories.

Data Sources: Compiled from 247Sports, Rivals, and On3 profiles as of October 2025. Some older classes (e.g., 2021) have less granular data. Additional spring portal activity (April 2025) may have added 1-2 more, but no new HS ratings were reported.