It was said earlier they are getting more experienced guys from the portal. One said they were "23 Year olds" and claims it puts 19-20 year olds at a disadvantage. I haven't checked every detail, but if that is the case, why shouldn't A&M follow a lead like that.

I think he try's to but just doesn't always work out. Plus as angry as I have gotten I still have to remember it's only year 2 going 3 for elko. I know it is for cignetti too but not all are going to have fortune right off the bat. It is frustrating as heck though. Hopefully, the future can be different.

I'll go along with that.

terata said:

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It was said earlier they are getting more experienced guys from the portal. One said they were "23 Year olds" and claims it puts 19-20 year olds at a disadvantage. I haven't checked every detail, but if that is the case, why shouldn't A&M follow a lead like that.

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Quick look at Indiana's portal gets so far and what year they'll be entering:

3rd year
2nd year
2nd year
4th year
5th year
3rd year
5th year
3rd year
5th year
3rd year
7th year (insane)

Ags:
4th year
4th year
5th year
4th year
4th year
3rd year
4th year
4th year
4th year
3rd year

We should be building a portal team every year of proven successful players that are 22 snd 23. Only need a team of 65. Pay thrm all well. This is coming, we neef to be 1st.

He's described his portal strategy numerous times, discussing it is mote than athletic ability and includes chemistry, fit, etc. I don't think he's copying anyone.

On the broadcast, they said Indiana only play 13 guys on defense!

Dex_Mick_Bear said:

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On the broadcast, they said Indiana only play 13 guys on defense!

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That **** would NEVER fly in the SEC, proving they play a weak ass schedule and it's easier to stay healthy.

Maybe
But I wish Elko would have stolen Mendoza

Bunk Moreland said:

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terata said:

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Indiana did what it took to win. Maybe if A&M did so, we might do well enough to win a lot more.

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Please spell out in detail what you think Indiana is doing that A&M is not in an effort to win?

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Choking in game against sip.

Well, duh. And that is Elko's DNA. A dominant D front and he has publicly said he wants the OL to be the identity of the offense.

Elko has only been on the job 2 years and he is doing great at recruiting and portal work on the line of scrimmage.

deer corn said:

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Bunk Moreland said:

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terata said:

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Indiana did what it took to win. Maybe if A&M did so, we might do well enough to win a lot more.

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Please spell out in detail what you think Indiana is doing that A&M is not in an effort to win?

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Choking in game against sip.

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He choked in game to PSU and got bailed out by the most unbelievable and unrepeatable catch of the year. That's football.

Bunk Moreland said:

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Guy12 said:

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Is he? Who knows. But every single coach should look at what Cignetti's doing. It's probably the most unprecedented turnaround in college football.

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Every coach should look at taking all the studs from their awesome G5 conference team that already know how he coaches, how he practices, his philosophies, have chemistry etc...and go to a P4 school that simultaneously secured the commitment of a billionaire and other major donors to fully invest into a program, to then play a 70+ ranked strength of schedule in year 1, then parlay that in year 2?

Cig is a great coach, but what he's 'doing' is something pretty unique to him that other coaches don't have the luxury of. Now other coaches do have other luxuries. But this claim that he's laying some blueprint to follow, which I've heard nationally as well, doesn't make sense.

I'm very interested to see how he does after this year and beyond when the old JMU guys wash out and he has to develop through new recruiting and portal only. My guess is he'll do extremely well, but I'm intrigued to see.

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"All the studs from their awesome G5 conference team"? Do you actually think about what you say? I don't see any G5 teams blowing out Alabama and winning games against multiple top 5 teams. If he's recruiting players that good to a G5 school, then yes other coaches should take note.

Production over Potential…

That was the key to me. Get guys who played at a high level, bring them in with your recruits and play big boy football.

jumbo was doomed, trying to bring in 18-19
Years olds year after year and massive attrition in upperclassmen ranks hoping talent one day would beat experience. same as Calipari who may have finally figured out seniors are cool too!

Regardless of what I think of the coordinator promotions on the Offense, This Is the WAY

Iraq2xVeteran said:

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I read this article yesterday, and I think Laine Higgins wrote a great article about Curt Cignetti has proven himself to be the premier evaluator in the country. Cignetti has always prioritized production over potential. Now, he chases character and flexible ankles in equal measure. However, the Higgins omitted the fact that the average age on Indiana's roster is 22.5.

https://www.facebook.com/100067346734793/posts/the-average-age-on-indianas-roster-is-225-/1190426006545613/

At the start of the season after 53-man cutdowns, the Packers were the youngest with an average age of 25.23, and the Commanders were the oldest with an average age of 28.09. The Bears were 16th with an average age of 26.02 years.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/ranking-nfl-teams-age-after-53-man-cutdowns-2025-edition/

Getting 23 or 24-year-old men to play against 18-20-year-old men seems to be the way to win in the NIL and transfer portal era. Of course, some young recruits can make older players look silly. For example, then 17-year-old Ryan Williams, Alabama wide receiver, made much older defensive backs look foolish. But recruiting ratings don't matter nearly as much as they used to.

I like this portal class that Mike Elko is putting together, but it would be more ideal if these players would have 2+ years of eligibility remaining.

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You have to pick, do you want guys with 2+ years left or old guys?

Bucky McMillan said in one of his first press conferences at A&M when asked about building a roster, "go old, go deep, go diverse. In that order." Hopefully Elko was listening.

A&M has too many juniors declare for the nfl draft. Hopefully Elko will stop that, but we have three this year. All could return and improve their stock (except maybe Moss).

It's very clear they both have a similar blue print to approaching the transfer portal. It's less about hype and potential and more about production and film. Both have been able to get a lot out of their transfers because of they are oriented around the process vs solely focused on outcome

Just pay $10M for your offensive and defensive line and $5M for their backups. "Hire" players with a 2 year contract that is $500k year one and $1M for year 2. That gives you 20 nasty linemen, 10 on each side of the ball. Underclassmen need not apply. Work your butt off somewhere else to get big and nasty and then come to Lineman U with 2 years eligibility.

Guy12 said:

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Bunk Moreland said:

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Guy12 said:

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Is he? Who knows. But every single coach should look at what Cignetti's doing. It's probably the most unprecedented turnaround in college football.

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Every coach should look at taking all the studs from their awesome G5 conference team that already know how he coaches, how he practices, his philosophies, have chemistry etc...and go to a P4 school that simultaneously secured the commitment of a billionaire and other major donors to fully invest into a program, to then play a 70+ ranked strength of schedule in year 1, then parlay that in year 2?

Cig is a great coach, but what he's 'doing' is something pretty unique to him that other coaches don't have the luxury of. Now other coaches do have other luxuries. But this claim that he's laying some blueprint to follow, which I've heard nationally as well, doesn't make sense.

I'm very interested to see how he does after this year and beyond when the old JMU guys wash out and he has to develop through new recruiting and portal only. My guess is he'll do extremely well, but I'm intrigued to see.

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"All the studs from their awesome G5 conference team"? Do you actually think about what you say? I don't see any G5 teams blowing out Alabama and winning games against multiple top 5 teams. If he's recruiting players that good to a G5 school, then yes other coaches should take note.

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You completely misunderstood my post. Congrats.

terata said:

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Indiana did what it took to win. Maybe if A&M did so, we might do well enough to win a lot more.

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Only if Elko develops talented players like Cignetti. I have yet to see this happen with Elko teams. It's been mentioned here many times that several of our players have regressed, including agreed. Why has this happened? And there was obviously no development of backup QBs. IMO, Elko is light years behind Elko, although I'm encouraged by the early gets through the portal. Indiana is also getting some great players via the pirtal.

I've been around a long time, and I've never seen anything like what Indiana and Cignetti have done.

NomadicAggie said:

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Average age of Indiana's team is 23 years old. That's only a couple years younger than the average NFL team.

The way to win in the NIL era is to get full grown men playing against 19-20 year olds. Stars no longer matter nearly as much.

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There needs to be a cap against that!

Else we will see ex NFL players or NFL rejects taking a course on "communications" and playing against freshmen and breaking bones.

terata said:

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What's wrong with that? Every AG say over and repeatedly, we want to WIN. Lets WIN!

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Nothing wrong with it at all. I think it's great!

TexanJeff said:

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Production over Potential…

That was the key to me. Get guys who played at a high level, bring them in with your recruits and play big boy football.

jumbo was doomed, trying to bring in 18-19
Years olds year after year and massive attrition in upperclassmen ranks hoping talent one day would beat experience. same as Calipari who may have finally figured out seniors are cool too!

Regardless of what I think of the coordinator promotions on the Offense, This Is the WAY

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x100!

gA_CMAB_FA said:

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Loftin said:

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I hope Elko is heading on the same path as Cignetti. Their 2024 season is VERY similar to our 2025 season. They were a surprising 11-1 team who was ripped for an "easy" schedule, with the lone loss coming against their best opponent in late November. They proceeded to lose in the first round of the playoffs, feeding the narrative that they were frauds. They've rebounded nicely this year. I'd like to see us do the same.

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One big diffence is that Cignetti upgraded to Mendoza at QB for 2025.

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Yup. No matter the team, if the QB is gonna melt down at the end of the season, it won't matter.

Here's hoping Reed matures

What's your prediction for year 3?

Aggieland35 said:

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Really hoping reed can improve next year. He has the potential to be a great passer he has a strong arm and can throw 70-75 yards.

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Is that 70-75 yards wide of the intended receiver?

Age is a bigger factor on the OL and to a lesser degree the DL.


I dont think age is very important at skill positions

It's fairly simple.
Experience and size but less potential is better for:
QB
OL
LBs
Secondary
RBs
DTs

Pure talent can excel
Edge rushers
WRs

For the most part it's more important to do well in the portal that it is to recruit HS seniors now. Incoming freshmen take a lot of time and 40-50% if not more won't finish at the same school anymore.

Yes Elko he is: - - Indiana is about to play for the National Championship. Here is Why.

The "New Model" in the NIL / Rebuild a Team Every Year of College Football:

Is to build a team with a Heavy Starting Lineout of Junior/Senior level 23 year-olds that have:

1. Lots of On-The-Field Proven Playing Experience.
2. High Production in their performance rating levels.

The Indiana Head Coach, doesn't give a damn about 4 or 5 stars,
he wants players with Grit, High Production & Proven Performances at the 22 / 23 yo level.

Coach Elko is coping this same model.