StillNoStanfurdium said:

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bencgilmore said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MilleniaBear said:

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This was my thought. If Luckhurst has a schollie then the convo with MB might have been something like "we are not taking ML's scholllie to give to you. You have to beat him in camp."

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Luckhurst did not make a single field goal over 40 yards this season in his 5 games of kicking. He is overall 33.3% of FGs overall being 3 of 9. He is only a 78% XP kicker going 11 of 14 with one attempt blocked as well.

Mateen went 8 for 9 with a long of 43 yards and 27 for 27 on XP.

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crazy how many more XP opportunities Mateen got... the offense nearly doubled his XP opportunities compared to luckhurst in the 1st half.

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Eh, not quite half and half. Luckhurst basically got (most of) 4 games before he was replaced (he also kicked 1 XP against WSU which is kind of odd since Mateen kicked 5). So it's 4 games vs. 8 games. Which is sort of double the opportunity.

You'd also expect our offense to improve after the switch to Mendoza although Luckhurt's stats are buoyed by our offense beating up on UNT and doing well against Idaho (9 of 9 XPs with a block in those games but 2 of 5 for FGs).

The more amusing thing is that despite Mateen playing in double the games, that he ended up with the same number of attempts as Luckhurst. So maybe that's the stat to look at to show that our offensive efficiency improved (didn't settle for FGs) or that we totally lost faith in kicking and went for them way less (probably true).

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It's not that the offense was 'not settling for field goals' it's that the offense play called around having an unreliable kicker. Prior to UCLA, Cal attempted 5 field goals in 7 games after they gave up on luckhurst.

College players can even enter the portal as lacrosse players!

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39043016/alabama-qb-tyler-buchner-enters-portal-lacrosse-player

This thread raises a few questions for me - hoping someone can enlighten me:

1. Talking about walk-ons and NIL. Is it common for a non scholarship player to get NIL money? I realize NIL is still new, so "common" may be the wrong word to use. If this is common, seems NIL could be a way around not having enough scholarships.

2. How often do players enter the portal and then withdraw their name? Have we ever tracked this for Cal, specifically?

adujan said:

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This thread raises a few questions for me - hoping someone can enlighten me:

1. Talking about walk-ons and NIL. Is it common for a non scholarship player to get NIL money? I realize NIL is still new, so "common" may be the wrong word to use. If this is common, seems NIL could be a way around not having enough scholarships.

2. How often do players enter the portal and then withdraw their name? Have we ever tracked this for Cal, specifically?

---

1. I don't think there are rules against walk-ons from getting NIL money. However, I heard from online college insiders that players still prefer the status/security of getting a scholarship versus relying on NIL. Hence, it's not a true workaround for scholarship limits but theoretically, it can be.

2. When you enter the portal a university can pull the scholarship/aid on the same day so usually it is hard for a player who enters the portal to come back unless the coaching staff doesn't believe they can get the same level of talent in the portal. I also imagine some coaching staff have a policy if you enter the portal without talking to the staff first, you are gone. Not sure what is Cal's philosophy on that.

adujan said:

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This thread raises a few questions for me - hoping someone can enlighten me:

1. Talking about walk-ons and NIL. Is it common for a non scholarship player to get NIL money? I realize NIL is still new, so "common" may be the wrong word to use. If this is common, seems NIL could be a way around not having enough scholarships.

2. How often do players enter the portal and then withdraw their name? Have we ever tracked this for Cal, specifically?

---

1. It's not impossible but players still value the status and proven investment of a scholarship, there's also always teams that will offer both. In the past people have speculated whether players from very wealthy families would forego a scholarship to have a slightly stronger team around them but, to my knowledge, that's never happened. One scholarship doesn't usually make the difference in a team's fortunes and asking boosters to pick up an extra 50k per season for a player is still a lot of money… and possibly begging for a recruiting violation

2. Players can return to their original teams after entering the portal but it was much more common pre-portal era. It used to be a new coaching staff could come in and convince a guy to give it another go or the same coaching staff could sit them down and re-affirm their commitment to them and assuage their doubts. It was actually fairly common. But now with 3k plus kids already in the portal coaches just move on and bring in someone who wants to be their or even upgrade the position instead of leaving bullets in the chamber for a player who's on the fence. Teams need to fill out their rosters and move fast so once a guy forfeits their scholarship to enter the portal that's generally it

Bearly Clad said:

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adujan said:

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This thread raises a few questions for me - hoping someone can enlighten me:

1. Talking about walk-ons and NIL. Is it common for a non scholarship player to get NIL money? I realize NIL is still new, so "common" may be the wrong word to use. If this is common, seems NIL could be a way around not having enough scholarships.

2. How often do players enter the portal and then withdraw their name? Have we ever tracked this for Cal, specifically?

---

1. It's not impossible but players still value the status and proven investment of a scholarship, there's also always teams that will offer both. In the past people have speculated whether players from very wealthy families would forego a scholarship to have a slightly stronger team around them but, to my knowledge, that's never happened. One scholarship doesn't usually make the difference in a team's fortunes and asking boosters to pick up an extra 50k per season for a player is still a lot of money… and possibly begging for a recruiting violation

2. Players can return to their original teams after entering the portal but it was much more common pre-portal era. It used to be a new coaching staff could come in and convince a guy to give it another go or the same coaching staff could sit them down and re-affirm their commitment to them and assuage their doubts. It was actually fairly common. But now with 3k plus kids already in the portal coaches just move on and bring in someone who wants to be their or even upgrade the position instead of leaving bullets in the chamber for a player who's on the fence. Teams need to fill out their rosters and move fast so once a guy forfeits their scholarship to enter the portal that's generally it

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Since our kicker is walk,on, its probably easier to come back, although I i agine a team with a bad kicker would pay to get him.

"leaving bullets in the chamber for a player who's on the fence."

Ugghhh Jeremiah Earby entered the Portal

jamonit said:

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Ugghhh Jeremiah Earby entered the Portal

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Cal corner Jeremiah Earby is expected to enter the @247SportsPortal, sources tell @247Sports.

Earby was one of the top true freshman CBs in the country last year & earned Honorable Mention Pac-12 honors. He posted 26 tackles and an INT this year. https://t.co/FCUOoUIPiV pic.twitter.com/ANxO8mEYAm

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 5, 2023

Damn

Not the portal, but ...

God chose this for us. pic.twitter.com/OpAq4zeX12

— Brian Hightower (@longlivee14) December 5, 2023

jamonit said:

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Ugghhh Jeremiah Earby entered the Portal

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Not a huge loss, IMO. After a promising freshman season, he was getting regularly torched this fall. He either needed to get better (possible) or else move to safety. We can easily find someone who can play a little better than he has played in 2023. Best of luck to the young man.

Really hoping Nohl Williams comes back, he was by far our best corner.

Over coached.

2

Our whole secondary needs a revamp but our defensive front is getting reinforcements which is good.

Seems Cal is freeing up a bunch of scholarships at least so hopefully the staff can get the players they want now.

Joegeo said:

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Seems Cal is freeing up a bunch of scholarships at least so hopefully the staff can get the players they want now.

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Let's hope we have enough NIL money to get the players we want.

Hopefully we won't be forced to try to entice them with Slurpees (Tedford reference for those who don't get it).

AZ Bear said:

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Joegeo said:

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Seems Cal is freeing up a bunch of scholarships at least so hopefully the staff can get the players they want now.

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Let's hope we have enough NIL money to get the players we want.

Hopefully we won't be forced to try to entice them with Slurpees (Tedford reference for those who don't get it).

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Make sure to remind everyone to donate!

Welp. "With that being said."

We have re-inforcements coming upfront? We are likely loosing Reese?
i would think we can land a speed rush portal....

Earby is a bit slow but a ball hawk, maybe a SAF

Econ141 said:

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southseasbear said:

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Bump. Any news today?

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Thank You Golden Bears🐻@8nicknovak @coachripshwtime @RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7R5kZSCBWs

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 4, 2023

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Finally get a kicker who can kick and now he is gone.....

wifeisafurd said:

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calumnus said:

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BearSD said:

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oskidunker said:

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ClevelandBear said:

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thats a new one to me, walk on straight to transfer portal. as a kicker

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Probably offered a scolly and some money elsewhere

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Most power conference teams don't offer scholarships to kickers, but maybe Bhaghani can find one.

Most likely motivation is to find a place where he'd be the clear #1 kicker. If he stayed at Cal, he would be competing with Luckhurst for next year's kicking job. Maybe Luckhurst doesn't have the yips next year and kicks well. He had already won the kickoff job back by the end of this season.

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Entering the portal gives him leverage. He can always return to Cal as a walk-on, that is given. He is enrolled, it is not like he is putting a scholarship at risk so he has nothing to lose. Now he can maybe get a scholarship or just a (better?) NIL offer. Maybe UCLA? Basically this allows him to see what is available out there, get his education paid for in the very least. Maybe even at Cal.

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He can only come back to Cal if Wilcox lets him and that sets a dangerous precedence unless he did this with Wilcox's blessing. If it isn't, he is gone.

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With 3,000+ players in the portal, I wouldn't worry too much about allowing walk-ons of need to return.

Trumpanzee said:

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Econ141 said:

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southseasbear said:

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Bump. Any news today?

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Thank You Golden Bears🐻@8nicknovak @coachripshwtime @RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7R5kZSCBWs

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 4, 2023

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Finally get a kicker who can kick and now he is gone.....

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Yea, it's a shame, but Luckhurst comes from good stock. Hopefully, next year he can get on track and be more accurate.

Now having said that ...

GoOskie said:

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Trumpanzee said:

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Econ141 said:

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southseasbear said:

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Bump. Any news today?

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Thank You Golden Bears🐻@8nicknovak @coachripshwtime @RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7R5kZSCBWs

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 4, 2023

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Finally get a kicker who can kick and now he is gone.....

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Yea, it's a shame, but Luckhurst comes from good stock. Hopefully, next year he can get on track and be more accurate.

Now having said that ...

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Luckhurst hasn't missed a single kick in our bowl game.

oski003 said:

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GoOskie said:

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Trumpanzee said:

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Econ141 said:

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southseasbear said:

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Bump. Any news today?

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Thank You Golden Bears🐻@8nicknovak @coachripshwtime @RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7R5kZSCBWs

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 4, 2023

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Finally get a kicker who can kick and now he is gone.....

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Yea, it's a shame, but Luckhurst comes from good stock. Hopefully, next year he can get on track and be more accurate.

Now having said that ...

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Luckhurst hasn't missed a single kick in our bowl game.

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See. He's improving already!

GoOskie said:

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oski003 said:

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GoOskie said:

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Trumpanzee said:

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Econ141 said:

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southseasbear said:

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Bump. Any news today?

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Thank You Golden Bears🐻@8nicknovak @coachripshwtime @RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7R5kZSCBWs

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 4, 2023

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Finally get a kicker who can kick and now he is gone.....

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Yea, it's a shame, but Luckhurst comes from good stock. Hopefully, next year he can get on track and be more accurate.

Now having said that ...

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Luckhurst hasn't missed a single kick in our bowl game.

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See. He's improving already!

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I would bet we don't try many field goals.

oskidunker said:

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GoOskie said:

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oski003 said:

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GoOskie said:

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Trumpanzee said:

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Econ141 said:

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southseasbear said:

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Bump. Any news today?

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Thank You Golden Bears🐻@8nicknovak @coachripshwtime @RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7R5kZSCBWs

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 4, 2023

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Finally get a kicker who can kick and now he is gone.....

---

Yea, it's a shame, but Luckhurst comes from good stock. Hopefully, next year he can get on track and be more accurate.

Now having said that ...

---

Luckhurst hasn't missed a single kick in our bowl game.

---

See. He's improving already!

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I would bet we don't try many field goals.

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Hopefully a lot of XPs and KOs.

oskidunker said:

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GoOskie said:

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oski003 said:

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GoOskie said:

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Trumpanzee said:

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Econ141 said:

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southseasbear said:

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Bump. Any news today?

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Thank You Golden Bears🐻@8nicknovak @coachripshwtime @RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7R5kZSCBWs

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 4, 2023

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Finally get a kicker who can kick and now he is gone.....

---

Yea, it's a shame, but Luckhurst comes from good stock. Hopefully, next year he can get on track and be more accurate.

Now having said that ...

---

Luckhurst hasn't missed a single kick in our bowl game.

---

See. He's improving already!

---

I would bet we don't try many field goals.

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College teams attempt too many FGs anyway, given the typical unreliability of college kickers. Every team that doesn't have a kicker with the accuracy of the average NFL kicker should only kick FGs on 4th-and-5+ from a line of scrimmage inside the 30.

Some college coaches send kickers out to try FGs beyond the kicker's ability level and then let the fans get mad at the kicker instead of the coach's dubious decision to try the kick.

BearSD said:

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oskidunker said:

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GoOskie said:

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oski003 said:

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GoOskie said:

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Trumpanzee said:

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Econ141 said:

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southseasbear said:

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Bump. Any news today?

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Thank You Golden Bears🐻@8nicknovak @coachripshwtime @RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7R5kZSCBWs

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 4, 2023

---

Finally get a kicker who can kick and now he is gone.....

---

Yea, it's a shame, but Luckhurst comes from good stock. Hopefully, next year he can get on track and be more accurate.

Now having said that ...

---

Luckhurst hasn't missed a single kick in our bowl game.

---

See. He's improving already!

---

I would bet we don't try many field goals.

---

College teams attempt too many FGs anyway, given the typical unreliability of college kickers. Every team that doesn't have a kicker with the accuracy of the average NFL kicker should only kick FGs on 4th-and-5+ from a line of scrimmage inside the 30.

Some college coaches send kickers out to try FGs beyond the kicker's ability level and then let the fans get mad at the kicker instead of the coach's dubious decision to try the kick.

---

In somewhat related news, that devil incarnate Stanford kicker thankfully declared for the draft

Josh Karty is NFL Bound pic.twitter.com/6ez0Mf3ebh

— CardinalCountry (@AllCardinal) December 8, 2023

adujan said:

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This thread raises a few questions for me - hoping someone can enlighten me:

1. Talking about walk-ons and NIL. Is it common for a non scholarship player to get NIL money? I realize NIL is still new, so "common" may be the wrong word to use. If this is common, seems NIL could be a way around not having enough scholarships.

2. How often do players enter the portal and then withdraw their name? Have we ever tracked this for Cal, specifically?

---

NIl is an option for anyone - even you! NIL is just another word for money given to a person for use of their name, image and likeness. For many Olympic sport athletes with larger social media presence - this is what they are generating revenue from. The court ruling said since everyone else in the world can get on social media and make money - college athletes should be able to as well. It was prohibited before by the NCAA - along with a lot of other stuff. Olympic athletes who wanted to make money and then come back and play for their college team were prevented from doing so. This opens the door for them as well.

So now anyone can make money doing basically anything. And so donors decided to set up collectives to give athletes money to play for their team. There are rules around it but everyone knows that if the NCAA ever did anything to enforce those rules the courts would say - "wrong - you can't limit someones income just because you think there is unfair competition - this is America!" So collectives are running wild paying players. And some actually get real NIL deals like social media revenue and advertising revenue, signing cards, selling jerseys, etc. But most are just donors banding together to try to keep the pieces their coaches developed from going to Ohio State and Alabama. There are no collectives for NFL players, but I am thinking of starting one for the 49ers...we need to keep the band together and a lot of guys are going to be getting big contracts...

Actually the NFL owns a lot of the NIL for NFL players, so there are limits there that are not on college players, because the NFL has a collective bargaining agreement. College kids are not employees, so there is no limit to anything for them.

So, yes, someone could pay Mateen to just walk on and be Cal's kicker. We have a scholarship kicker already, so we would have to have two, and that is something that never happens - we need QBs, for example. Mateen did not kick the kick-offs, and Luckhurst did not kick the field goals. It is best to have one scholarship kicker who can do both, but that is not our case right now. Hopefully someone does slip him some hefty cash this year. I suggest a surge in funds on the NIL site for him.

As for entering the portal and then withdrawing thier name, I do not think any Cal players have done that. However, last year, Cal had a walk on QB who transferred from Utah, and then went back to Utah when he realized he wass not going to start. He was a walk on in both places. For walk ons - I think it s a bit easier, since there is no scholarship to worry about. He actually started for Utah this year, as QB # 4 or 5.

Taj Davis leaving

SouthKBear said:

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Taj Davis leaving

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Some people regret passing on NOLA for the charms of Shreveport in December.

SouthKBear said:

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Taj Davis leaving

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Had few good games but mostly a non factor this past season.

Guys I was a coach at Del Norte High where Mateen was kicking last year. If you don't know, let me inform you that he was the 3rd rated kicker in the nation and had made two 50 yard fgs and a 55 yarder during last season. His leg is NFL level big...His boot is jist fine.
Oregon gave him a tour but only offered a walk-on, Cal was preferred walk-on with a promise to give scholarship if he was the main kicker. UCLA offered a scholarship but he liked Cal better.I guess kickers arent a priority to give schollys to? Amyways, lets throw away the "not a big boot" narrative, that kid is legit and an even better person. I hope he lands in a good spot.

Ummm what's going on?

Mateen Bhagani is going to UCLA. Hopefully, Luckhurst will get over his mental block and get back to kicking deeply and accurately. Otherwise, Wilcox needs to recruit another kicker.

First of all I would like to thank, Head Coach Chip Kelly, @CoachNudo, Coach Scifers and @EthanYoungFB for this amazing opportunity. After lots of consideration, I am excited to announce my commitment to UCLA. Go Bruins🐻@8nicknovak pic.twitter.com/yOj2wFJtPA

— Mateen B (@mateen_bhaghani) December 18, 2023

Swil said:

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Guys I was a coach at Del Norte High where Mateen was kicking last year. If you don't know, let me inform you that he was the 3rd rated kicker in the nation and had made two 50 yard fgs and a 55 yarder during last season. His leg is NFL level big...His boot is jist fine.
Oregon gave him a tour but only offered a walk-on, Cal was preferred walk-on with a promise to give scholarship if he was the main kicker. UCLA offered a scholarship but he liked Cal better.I guess kickers arent a priority to give schollys to? Amyways, lets throw away the "not a big boot" narrative, that kid is legit and an even better person. I hope he lands in a good spot.

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Oh boy. Curious who made the call that he couldn't have a scholarship. Was it entirely up to Wilcox? An in state scholarship is worth 50k or so. We could have found that in NIL $ to hold onto him, even if Luckhurst IS in scholarship.