How many will we lose in the portal?

[Voyageur]

After the nauseating end of this season, and the ending of a 22 year string of winning seasons, the Badgers ended 2024 like a team that has no identity, leadership, nor desire to compete. To put it bluntly, the better players on the team, some of whom saw limited playing time for some unknown reason, are going to end their time in Madison, by leaving via the portal. I can't blame any of them who leave. Why would you stick around and watch the final dismantling of a historically good program by someone who doesn't seem to listen to anyone about what's happening.

I'm not certain how much it would cost to buy Fickell out, but I think it might be a good idea. He came in to boost the team up, not tear it down, and quite frankly it's up to our new AD to straighten this mess out. It's his mess.

For a new coach, and assistants, it's going to be a long slog getting this team back up where it belongs. It's going to take at least 4 years, and we're going to see a lot of empty seats, and disgruntled fans, and NIL donors along the way. Personally, as long as Fickell is there, I wouldn't contribute one thin dime to the NIL program.

The sad part is, from my perspective, I thought hiring him was a fairly good choice. I'm ready to admit I was dead wrong. We need to see change, and it can't come any too soon.

As for the QB situation, there's no way on earth that I'd let Locke take another snap under center in Madison, and I want to see new blood in that position. If that's the best they could do, recruiting, I think it's time they move along.

But, the money they have to pay out has to be astronomical. They gave this guy way too much too easily.

 

[Firethorn1001]

the better players on the team, some of whom saw limited playing time for some unknown reason

Given the complete lack of effort, I'll say 1/4. They played like a team today where they just checked out knowing it wouldn't matter for next year.

If any part of the answer to that question above is 'they weren't ready' or 'they were freshmen' then that logic needs to be revisited. This isn't like 10 years ago any more where you recruit guys and keep them around and bench them. It's basically a year to year league now. You sit a guy and if the NIL money or playing time isn't to their liking they will leave.

NIL and the transfer portal is an absolute cancer right now.

 

[Pugger]

Given the complete lack of effort, I'll say 1/4. They played like a team today where they just checked out knowing it wouldn't matter for next year.

If any part of the answer to that question above is 'they weren't ready' or 'they were freshmen' then that logic needs to be revisited. This isn't like 10 years ago any more where you recruit guys and keep them around and bench them. It's basically a year to year league now. You sit a guy and if the NIL money or playing time isn't to their liking they will leave.

NIL and the transfer portal is an absolute cancer right now.

It is a real mystery why Fickell, who was so successful at Cincinnati, has this program in such a mess. Is it the strict admissions to Wisconsin? Do other schools like Michigan or Ohio State admit athletes who might not otherwise pass muster for the sake of the football programs which generate huge money to these universities?

 

[Firethorn1001]

7 so far and 1 decommit. Great start.

Amare Snowden basically threw the DB coach Haynes under the bus and given that a total of 4 DBs have decided to transfer is not a good look. Where there is smoke there is fire.

 

[AmishMafia]

Oh my. This sucks. Thought Fickell would do great things. Better than cincinnati because of the greater conference/prestige of the program.

 

[Firethorn1001]

So the entire 2023 DB recruiting class just up and left (6 total). Guessing that coach is really not liked.