Semi-finals week, here we come!
Running Back Transfer Portal Candidates
We covered WRs in Week 11 and QBs in Week 12. Let’s not fiddle-fart around this week and bury the lead. Here are some likely RB guys that could, as Steve Miller once sang, “Take The Money and Run.” Many of these players fit the criteria of other programs with deeper pockets that will pay for their services but still need another year for the NFL.
Jaydn Ott, Cal – It’s been a good run in Berkley. But it’s time.
Darius Taylor, Minnesota – He had wandering eyes last portal season. Could he actually go through with it this time around? Michigan made a late push for him in his recruiting process. I heard they have money now.
Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest – Really talented guy. Unfortunately, Wake often struggles to keep its really talented guys.
Malik Sherrod, Fresno State – Let’s just say the quiet part out loud. This feels like it has been in the making for a while, given that he hasn’t touched the field since playing the CFB magical number of four games.
CJ Donaldson, WVU – An up-and-down season that has been more down than up. He could look for a fresh start elsewhere, especially if a new staff is taking over.
Gavin Sawchuk, Oklahoma – The most disappointing CFF RB of 2024? Yeah, I think so.
Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State – The odds are that he still goes pro, but a Cam Ward-type move to take the bag for a year, boost the draft stock, and enter a weaker RB draft class isn’t out of the question.
Efficiency Be Damned
Dylan Carson has finally broken through to inject a shot of confidence into the arms of playoff owners everywhere. But he has been about as efficient as my boss calling for a lunch meeting to discuss something that could have been summed up in a short email.
Over the last two games, he has run for 217 yards and 2 TDs, showing why volume remains the primary indicator of fantasy success. Over that same stretch, Carson has 59 carries (!) with a long of just 12 yards on 3.6 YPC. He broke ZERO tackles on 26 attempts against Oregon State. But efficiency be damned. Start Carson with confidence against Nevada and SDSU
Offensive Coordinator Hot Seat 2.0
We discussed some hot seat OCs back in Week 6 where Phil Longo was on the short list. Now that it has come to fruition a couple of months later, it is probably time to update the candidates.
Bush Hamdan, Kentucky – Does he even get another year after this awful showing in his first season in Lexington? They brought back a ton of production on O, but QB has been a mess.
Tyler Bowen, Virginia Tech – All 11 starters returned on offense, but the offense somehow looks worse after a preseason filled with playoff hopes. Brent Pry may be jamming to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ – “Heads Will Roll” to save his job.
Kirk Campbell, Michigan—We know Portnoy money will land a high-profile quarterback (hello Bryce Underwood). Still, without a creative offensive mind, it’s about as useful as taking your anorexic girlfriend out for dinner to an all-you-can-eat buffet. It wouldn’t surprise me to see some of that money find its way to a new OC in conjunction with a new quarterback.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
I advocated against people prioritizing Daylan “Hollywood” Smothers in freshman drafts last season. The Sooner freshman was buried on the depth chart as expected. However, the portal can often change things, and that seems to be the case here.
In his first season with the Pack, Smothers at NC State has proven to be a versatile chess piece for the Robert Anae system. He recently had a three game stretch snapped where he had eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage. I don’t think it is out of the realm of possibility that Hollywood could carve out a LeQuint Allen type of role for Anae with another year in the system and weight room after Waters leaves.
*This was written before the Thursday night game because I did not pay attention to the fact that NC State plays early this week. Crap.
The Bryce Underwood Effect
As I write this edition of the Pulse, Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top overall recruit, flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. It got me wondering what this does for Michigan over the next couple of years. If a recent 5-star QB track record tells us anything, then the answer is probably nothing. But if the 247 comp to Vince Young or the Bud Elliot comp to Cam Newton are even remotely close, this could change everything for Michigan.
Remember when I mentioned they need to spend on a high-profile QB AND a high-profile OC (look just a few sections up)? Well, Underwood in tow could open up some options for an OC wanting to hitch their wagon to the next Young or Newton. Paging Dan Mullen. What’s that you said? Michigan doesn’t have any receivers worth a damn? True. However, a talent like Underwood paired with a creative OC could quickly attract talented receivers.
In summary, this probably changes nothing for Michigan. It also potentially changes everything.
