Your top player or receiver Donoven McCulley went into the portal last year right? And he ended up coming back to IU instead and is back in the portal now because he's not a big contributor and getting much playing time.
Transfers can be helpful but it take good identification and some luck too. It's not a guarantee that it will work every year, take a look at FSU and the transfer jackpot last year compared to this year. They're not unusual in that respect either.
Great points.
Also, of note, IU’s highest paid NIL player in ‘23, Jaylin Lucas, who was totally mis-used last season by the fired in-season OC, Walt Bell, left for FSU, got hurt early and been out for the year.
Correct on McCulley too, who from all reports was IU’s top NIL earner this season, or at the very least of those who returned. He’s a great talent, great athlete, but one of those guys who has been so much more athletic than others growing up, but not the hardest worker. Game 1 vs FIU, he wasn’t starting because Cig didn’t think was working hard enough on blocking. Gets concussed in that game (with no call for an obvious targeting). Then sits Wk 2, gets back for only 1 play at UCLA that garners a DPI in the end zone. Still running 2nd team by end of September, catches a Td vs MD and leaves to save a year of eligibility. I’m sure he will be well sought after in the portal. I won’t be surprised if he ends up at Louisville with Brohm, who recruited him hard while at Purdue when the kid was still a qb.
