Losing guys like Brumfield and Willmore is not a bad thing

[chinngiskhaan]

It puts us in a bit of a tough spot, but it’s a sign that things are going very well for our running game. Ty Jordan is an absolute monster in the making. This is what happens when the young guy turns out to be an absolute stud.

I honestly don’t know what the coaches saw in Brumfield. He is the slowest of our backs, and he does not run with any sort of aggression most of the time. He’s a good blocker, that’s just about it.

Willmore could have helped us out, but we won’t miss a step with Bernard and Parks.

[Crazyforu]

Reading all these posts today, I am really looking forward to the next @Onlyu post. Hoping we get some clarification on the feel of things.

Losing players that seem to have a bright future, always sucks. I could be wrong, I do believe that Utah has rebounded quite well from losses previously though. RB is a spot where they obviously have some strength, I am sure they have a plan in place to shore things up.

Losing a couple guys in a spot were there is a strength, could also be of benefit with the amount of players that will be available in the portal this year. Could be a good chance to trade depth at a spot where Utah is strong, to shore up another area where there is a bit of weakness. 

Us fans see only the end result, I am sure there is a lot of conversations taking place long before it gets to all of us.

[PhiladelphiaUte]

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.

[Jay]

You can’t trade student athletes, this is not a job for them, they’re students.

[Central Coast Ute]

Uh huh. And they’re not getting paid either.

[Onlyu]

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.

[Crazyforu]

My goodness, you are a saint! Your insight is beyond appreciated. Thank you!

[2008 National Champ]

While I don’t necessarily disagree with your take OnlyU, it’s hard to reconcile losing 4 RB’s to the portal in the same calendar year.

[Onlyu]

Fair but coming into camp Ty Jordan was listed as 7th among those RB’s. SEVENTH!!! DHC and TJ weren’t getting a sniff this year. They literally wouldn’t even have traveled. Fans fall in love with guys but don’t see the everyday strength or weakness in practice and I get that. Brumfield was given the shot as the veteran and a guy everyone loves and respects and I’m glad he was given the chance.

It affects depth for sure for the last game but we found Shyne in August a few years back so let’s not act like we can’t add a quality #3 or 4 back at any time. Parks will be here for the Spring as well

I don’t believe anyone wanted Wilmore to leave by the way. It’s not optimal and he likely would have gotten carries here…probably plenty of carries had he stayed the next 3 years . But he wants to be the guy so he’s off to start over in his quest to do so.

We have 25 initials to use each Fall recruiting season…20-21 are spoken for. QB, WR, RB from now to the Feb signing day. Plenty of vetting to take place but we’ll add a few more guys to this class. Ika hopefully as well

The portal is a fact of life now…get used to it and don’t be devastated when good players leave because in EVERY CASE there are guys that have earned the role they want.

[Central Coast Ute]

I dont know. I think he’s right. Theres only really room for four of them on the travel squad so you cant blame two of them for leaving. We all know who Ty Jordan is by now and Micah Bernard looks good too. Add Parks and that makes five so one more has to go. As far as playing time goes, I get why Wilmore left. Good player and will find a spot elsewhere. I hope Brumfield is able to find a home. If not, I guess he still has a scholarship to Utah if he wants to finish his degree there.

[Stone]

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.

That part is key – the guys leaving (so far) are not the starters or even the second string players. If a starter or backup leaves, it hurts. But when a guy transfers after losing his reps to a better fit (a nice way to say it), I am not troubled. Best of luck to them – I hope they find a better fit for them (truly).

[Author]

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