How are portal evaluations made?

[18IsTheMan]

It's not reasonable to think that our coaches had knowledge of many of the guys we picked up in the portal prior to them entering the portal. There's odd guys like Sanders who was a known quantity at his position. Particularly for the guys who hadn't played much or came from smaller schools, it's not possible to think we had highlight tape on each and every one of them. And some of these players commit so quickly after entering the portal, it's unreasonable to think a full evaluation was done. This obviously guys for everyone picking up guys out of the portal. You have years to evaluate and scout high school players, but sometimes just days for a player in the portal and weeks at the most. Just curious how, without prior knowledge of a player and in the absence of game film, these guys are being evaluated.

 

[Gradstudent]

I assumed they watch film, not sure why you think it cant be found today?

Have we not upgraded our football department?

 

[Big JC]

I assume all those analysts on staff are pouring over tape. I also have to assume we are guilty of tampering in the cases of the ones who commit immediately after entering the portal. I think it would be naïve to think that only other programs are contacting players before the portal opens.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I assumed they watch film, not sure why you think it cant be found today?

Have we not upgraded our football department?

Addressed in the OP already.

What are the odds we had tape on Torricelli Simpkins from NC Central? There’s just too many guys from too many small schools or players who haven’t played much to believe we have tape on all of them. Not possible.

 

[Big JC]

Addressed in the OP already.

What are the odds we had tape on Torricelli Simpkins from NC Central? There’s just too many guys from too many small schools or players who haven’t played much to believe we have tape on all of them. Not possible.

I agree it's not possible. The only explanation is either the player sent tape to teams early or the teams contacted the player early. 2100 players entered the portal in December, only about half will find a new team to take them. When a player enters the portal, his current team no longer has to honor his scholarship so going in the portal is a bold step.

 

[Deleted11512]

I assume all those analysts on staff are pouring over tape. I also have to assume we are guilty of tampering in the cases of the ones who commit immediately after entering the portal. I think it would be naïve to think that only other programs are contacting players before the portal opens.

Pretty sure it's analysts/GAs that sift through everything for the coaches to see who they want to offer...and tampering.

 

[Gradstudent]

Addressed in the OP already.

What are the odds we had tape on Torricelli Simpkins from NC Central? There’s just too many guys from too many small schools or players who haven’t played much to believe we have tape on all of them. Not possible.

I think it is possible, lets discuss specifically Simpkins, a quick search found NC Central vs NC A&T and NC Central vs SC State Full Game from 2023 is on YouTube, if not full games there can be extended highlights of games 30 minutes +. for NC Central on youtube. I did not look to long, but games are on youtube.

I'm sure with Simpkins, being a O Lineman a call was made to his position coach, Cedric Williams, a former Gamecock, who probably did get them any film the staff wanted and answered questions about the player/person.

I think its pretty easy to find tape on players today was my point with the picture, we are not using the old projectors and do not need a canister of film, to be shipped, like the old days.

 

[Deleted11512]

I think it is possible, lets discuss specifically Simpkins, a quick search found NC Central vs NC A&T and NC Central vs SC State Full Game from 2023 is on YouTube, if not full games there can be extended highlights of games 30 minutes +. for NC Central on youtube. I did not look to long, but games are on youtube.

I'm sure with Simpkins, being a O Lineman a call was made to his position coach, Cedric Williams, a former Gamecock, who probably did get them any film the staff wanted and answered questions about the player/person.

I think its pretty easy to find tape on players today was my point with the picture, we are not using the old projectors and need a canister of film, to be shipped.

Teasley also coached at NC Central. But that's another point I didn't initially think about. You got these kids reaching out to you as well.

 

[Gradstudent]

Teasley also coached at NC Central. But that's another point I didn't initially think about. You got these kids reaching out to you as well.

Great point as well, so our staff has a pretty good idea on him, so not hard to figure out why we took him, if you think about it and line up more background information.

I'm sure several players were recruited previously and their were pre existing relationships and there are more behind the scene connections like Simpkins that as fans we are not privy to and not so obvious but they are there in more cases then we think.

 

[Deleted11512]

Great point as well, so our staff has a pretty good idea on him, so not hard to figure out why we took him, if you think about it and line up more background information.

I'm sure several players were recruited previously and their were pre existing relationships and there are more behind the scene connections like Simpkins that as fans we are not privy to and not so obvious but they are there in more cases then we think.

Teasley is bringing in some talent on OL. If he thought Simpkins is capable of competing with those guys, I think that's a good sign.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I suppose it’s a combination of getting high school film from Hudl, college game film when available, prior familiarity with players you previously recruited and, maybe the major factor: networking. With all the staff members, any coaching staff probably has some degree of connection to almost any other coaching staff in the country. Staff members could reach out to the connections they have for those players who recruited by other coaches they know or something along those lines.

The latter from above and tampering are likely major factors.

With the number of players entering the portal and the amount of time you have to evaluate and make an offer and try to get them in for a visit, I simply don’t see poring over game film of each player as being viable. Certainly to some degree but not extensively.

 

[adcoop]

It's not reasonable to think that our coaches had knowledge of many of the guys we picked up in the portal prior to them entering the portal. There's odd guys like Sanders who was a known quantity at his position. Particularly for the guys who hadn't played much or came from smaller schools, it's not possible to think we had highlight tape on each and every one of them. And some of these players commit so quickly after entering the portal, it's unreasonable to think a full evaluation was done. This obviously guys for everyone picking up guys out of the portal. You have years to evaluate and scout high school players, but sometimes just days for a player in the portal and weeks at the most. Just curious how, without prior knowledge of a player and in the absence of game film, these guys are being evaluated.

Game film of most high school prospects is readily available let alone prospects on the college level. If you are prospect that is in any way interested in getting college scholarship, you know how to edit your game film and get it in the right hands. My son did go to a 5A High School, but I am sure most colleges have more resources to have the game film of their players readily available. Even if a program tries to withhold such information, the prospect usually has a good deal of tape already available to him. Finally, the games of most programs are televised in some way whether be through linear television, an app like ESPN+, or an App affiliated with a conference. A prospect can't hide. I even watched Newberry film on Mario Anderson when I found out he was coming here.

 

[adcoop]

Addressed in the OP already.

What are the odds we had tape on Torricelli Simpkins from NC Central? There’s just too many guys from too many small schools or players who haven’t played much to believe we have tape on all of them. Not possible.

Every NC Central game was on ESPN+ this year. Further, they were on NBC for the Celebration Bowl last year. If you are coaching and don't know how to access all of these different streams of information, you need to find another line of work.

 

[adcoop]

I agree it's not possible. The only explanation is either the player sent tape to teams early or the teams contacted the player early. 2100 players entered the portal in December, only about half will find a new team to take them. When a player enters the portal, his current team no longer has to honor his scholarship so going in the portal is a bold step.

Simpkins was an FCS All-American. NC Central's program is held in about as high regard as an HBCU would be. That is going to get your attention. That is a guy that get the tape on and watch. Now, a second string kid at an FCS. That kid's tape doesn't get watched.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Game film of most high school prospects is readily available let alone prospects on the college level. If you are prospect that is in any way interested in getting college scholarship, you know how to edit your game film and get it in the right hands. My son did go to a 5A High School, but I am sure most colleges have more resources to have the game film of their players readily available. Even if a program tries to withhold such information, the prospect usually has a good deal of tape already available to him. Finally, the games of most programs are televised in some way whether be through linear television, an app like ESPN+, or an App affiliated with a conference. A prospect can't hide. I even watched Newberry film on Mario Anderson when I found out he was coming here.

Every NC Central game was on ESPN+ this year. Further, they were on NBC for the Celebration Bowl last year. If you are coaching and don't know how to access all of these different streams of information, you need to find another line of work.

Simpkins was an FCS All-American. NC Central's program is held in about as high regard as an HBCU would be. That is going to get your attention. That is a guy that get the tape on and watch. Now, a second string kid at an FCS. That kid's tape doesn't get watched.

You’re not replying to the overarching point. I noted above about rhe availability of film.

 

[Deleted11512]

With Simpkins specifically, my guess is when he went to the portal he texted his old coach Teasley, to which he likely replied “get your *** to Cola!!”.

 

[Gradstudent]

With the number of players entering the portal and the amount of time you have to evaluate and make an offer and try to get them in for a visit, I simply don’t see poring over game film of each player as being viable. Certainly to some degree but not extensively.

Another thing Beamer alluded to, was sometimes they have watched film of the player on his previous team against a future opponent when preparing for our opponent.

Then the player hits the portal and they watch more film of that player but they already had a idea to spend the time on that player from previous film study.

Case in point the Ball State Tight End, Brady Hunt.

“We first saw him last season getting ready to play Tennessee in 2022," Beamer said. "They had played Ball State earlier in the year and we saw Ball State on video and we were watching Tennessee’s defense and we were like, who the heck is this Ball State tight end?

 

[18IsTheMan]

Another thing Beamer alluded to, was sometimes they have watched film of the player on his previous team against a future opponent when preparing for our opponent.

Then the player hits the portal and they watch more film of that player but they already had a idea to spend the time on that player from previous film study.

Case in point the Ball State Tight End, Brady Hunt.

“We first saw him last season getting ready to play Tennessee in 2022," Beamer said. "They had played Ball State earlier in the year and we saw Ball State on video and we were watching Tennessee’s defense and we were like, who the heck is this Ball State tight end?

Yeah, I'm sure that factors into it as well for some players.

I'm wondering about players like Gage Lavardain as well. He entered the portal on 12/26 and we offered on 12/27, not even 24 hours after he entered the portal. He was an unrated recruit out of high school. Doesn't seem like there is a ton of tape on him. He was a solid receiver at Miami (OH), but he didn't put up gaudy, eye-popping stats.

How did we evaluate him in less than 24 hours?

 

[Gradstudent]

Yeah, I'm sure that factors into it as well for some players.

I'm wondering about players like Gage Lavardain as well. He entered the portal on 12/26 and we offered on 12/27, not even 24 hours after he entered the portal. He was an unrated recruit out of high school. Doesn't seem like there is a ton of tape on him. He was a solid receiver at Miami (OH), but he didn't put up gaudy, eye-popping stats.

How did we evaluate him in less than 24 hours?

For Gage it will be interesting what Beamer says, but my guess would be a combination of this being his second time in the portal, and they would of watched him vs Jacksonville State in 2022 when preparing for Jax State for 2023. He did have that one gaudy game, 273 yards and 3 Touchdowns against U Mass early this season which will get you noticed, (Anyone that has the speed to 99 yards will get some pub or helps for a quick eval), he had a great start to 2023. Was among national league leaders for a few weeks before fading, Had a solid opener vs Miami, 8 catches for 80 yards.

As far as coaching connections, Miami of Ohio has on staff a Linebackers/Running game Coordinator, named Joe Bowens who was on Beamer's staff having previously spent the 2021 season at South Carolina as a defensive graduate assistant, coaching with the linebackers and special teams units. I'm sure that was a key on this as well the Bowen- Beamer South Carolina staff connection.

Seems like a lot of people know who really follow or analyze college football know who Gage is.

 

[Deleted11512]

For Gage it will be interesting what Beamer says, but my guess would be a combination of this being his second time in the portal, and they would of watched him vs Jacksonville State in 2022 when preparing for Jax State for 2023. He did have that one gaudy game, 273 yards and 3 Touchdowns against U Mass early this season which will get you noticed, (Anyone that has the speed to 99 yards will get some pub or helps for a quick eval), he had a great start to 2023. Was among national league leaders for a few weeks before fading, Had a solid opener vs Miami, 8 catches for 80 yards.

As far as coaching connections, Miami of Ohio has on staff a Linebackers/Running game Coordinator, named Joe Bowens who was on Beamer's staff having previously spent the 2021 season at South Carolina as a defensive graduate assistant, coaching with the linebackers and special teams units. I'm sure that was a key on this as well the Bowen- Beamer South Carolina staff connection.

Seems like a lot of people know who really follow or analyze college football know who Gage is.

True. I'm guessing at lower G5 programs there's more of an appetite to help your starters than there would be here. So my assumption is if a guy hits the portal, coaches are probably reaching out to their networks as well as a referral, so to speak.

 

[Gradstudent]

True. I'm guessing at lower G5 programs there's more of an appetite to help your starters than there would be here. So my assumption is if a guy hits the portal, coaches are probably reaching out to their networks as well as a referral, so to speak.

yes and in this case Joe Bowen having been on Beamer's staff as a grad assistant, then getting his first job at Miami of Ohio from SC indicated a connection beyond Bowen. When they hired Bowen, I'm sure there was contact between Chuck Marin the HC at Miami of Ohio and Beamer, could be a good pre existing relationship, who knows. Chuck Martin has been all over the place in his career.

Beamer has been a lot of places through the years and really seemed to work his way up vs just staying at Virginia Tech, he seems like a well connected coach, and I'm sure has relationships at a lot of places and with a lot of people we as fans would not immediately think of.

Then you think of all the places the staff and analysts have been through their careers and relationships and then where those guys they have relationships with go in their career, it becomes a pretty extensive web of contacts all over the place at programs.

 

[Lurker123]

Considering the question of how we evaluate a player from a lower team (good question), now it makes you wonder how a ranking service weighs these against each other to come up with "portal rankings".

 

[Deleted11512]

Considering the question of how we evaluate a player from a lower team (good question), now it makes you wonder how a ranking service weighs these against each other to come up with "portal rankings".

I don't think it's much different than HS rankings to be honest. Most of us just see a 4-5* commit and get excited without considering if he played AA or AAAAA. We were over the moon about landing Burch. He was the highest rated recruit we'd landed since Clowney. Hell, he was being compared to JD in terms of anticipated impact. Not many people were concerned that a 5* from Hammond might not translate to the SEC.

 

[Lurker123]

I don't think it's much different than HS rankings to be honest. Most of us just see a 4-5* commit and get excited without considering if he played AA or AAAAA. We were over the moon about landing Burch. He was the highest rated recruit we'd landed since Clowney. Hell, he was being compared to JD in terms of anticipated impact. Not many people were concerned that a 5* from Hammond might not translate to the SEC.

True. I put less stock I stars than in "also offered" lists.

But even that is sorely lacking with the portal, with guys making announcements where they are going often before any list is made.

 

[Deleted11512]

True. I put less stock I stars than in "also offered" lists.

But even that is sorely lacking with the portal, with guys making announcements where they are going often before any list is made.

That's true. I like to look at that as well. That's why I'm more excited about Gatlin than most. Every big time program in the country wanted him. I'll trust them more than internet dorks at On3/247.

It is difficult to get a good read on the portal offers. The only way you can really tell is seeing where guys go to visit. And even that takes some twitter digging. For a lot of the "lower level" guys we got we beat out A&M, UF, FSU, and AU...just to name a few.