Losing guys like Brumfield and Willmore is not a bad thing

Ya know, your post actually gave me an idea.  What if instead of a simplified “transfer portal”, the NCAA created some sort of “trade portal”, wherein if a player is “traded”, there’s no mandatory sitting out period.  And in this “trade portal”, it doesn’t necessarily have to be between just 2 schools.  It could amount to several schools getting involved.

Brumfield is loved by coaches and players alike. Incredible kid and frankly that’s the biggest hit with him leaving. He’s become a short yardage and pass pro guy with the younger talent in the room so he made a good decision to go find more carries if that’s what he wants.

Wilmore, while very talented, has been available the past two weeks. He did get banged up at Washington which limited him some but frankly Bernard stepped in and took the #2 spot. No way to know if, when fully healthy, Jordan doesn’t regain that spot but for now he wasn’t in the mix. Love Wilmore’s upside but a similar back to Jordan and clearly Ty is game ready right now so if Ty stays healthy there wouldn’t be many carries for Wilmore.

Bernard is better than many think…you just haven’t seen him play much. Very versatile and is just starting to scratch the surface with what he can be. There is a lot of excitement around how far Micah can go…like playing on Sunday’s. The guys really aren’t looking at Ricky coming in but that spreads some depth out a bit as well because he’s another stud.

I personally believe this gives us some added flexibility in the portal and opens up a couple spots where we were embarrassingly deep. If you’re thinking (like a lot of people) that the next 2-3 year window could be potentially the greatest opportunity to reach the big stage that Utah has ever had you understand that bringing in an additional impact guy like a Carrington or Tim Patrick (though was never really healthy), a Rising or a Bernard swings the pendulum further in the right direction.

Sucks to lose good players…feels great to know that the guys leaving do so because they were passed by better talent, at least as it stands at this moment. Add in two straight top 30 classes and you’re gonna find another handful of guys who are ready to come in, contribute and screw up all of the ideas that you thought you felt good about.

I hate the portal but I’m old school. Sharrieff tells the story about calling home wanting to go back to Crenshaw after about a week and a half. His dad told him not to call him again. My dad was similar. Carve out your spot, do the work and be a great team guy. We live in a participation trophy world I’m afraid. There are so many “outs” these kids are afforded so you can’t blame them for listening to their inner circle about how they’re “getting screwed” and thinking there is a better fit and opportunity somewhere else. Who’s to say there isn’t. All I know is I’ve never met a coach who was trying to lose a game…any game.

A little bit of a rant by me there…sorry. I’m personally excited about the potential to fiddle a little with these spots and see what we can pick up.