Looking at examples like Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss - went from a DII Power Ferris State to the SEC and is now in the Final Four.

Incarnate Word QB Cam Ward - went to Washington State for 2 years then made Miami a contender overnight, then was the #1 Overall Draft Pick.

Both of these guys spent multiple seasons at other programs before joining the 'Big Time'. So the examples are there, I just don't see a ton of success year 1 after leaving FCS or any lower level of competition.

Also, to some extent you can talk about QB Shadeur Sanders as well -- though I think SS could've landed at most D1 programs if he didn't follow his Dad to Jackson State...then eventually to Colorado.

California TV Markets (National Rankings):
#2 Los Angeles
#10 SF-OAK-SJ
#20 Sac-Stockton-Modesto
#28 San Diego

True as well - could be that Pinnick has been given verbal agreements to challenging for a starting QB role at various D1 schools not called Miami, Oregon, Ohio State or Alabama...and maybe his Agency told him to simply put his name out there and let teams watch his film and assess the talent vs. the money...given his reputation for being a great young man, the risk vs. reward is good for a big-time program to bring Pinnick in.

Even backup QBs in the P4 are earning around $450,000 / year in comp.
Staring P4 QBs are in the $1.5M to $3.5M range - that's a lot of money for a few years playing some college football games. That's life changing money if invested properly, so I get it.

College Football is turning into Moneyball?

Doesn't have to be that way - but the money is crazy out there...so I get the big temptation. Wish UC Davis had guys donating in the millions of dollars annually, but we aren't that program - we actually give a f*** about our players as human beings, not just commodities.

Question for CP now is --- who has been calling him and what is the right opportunity for his future?

I think he'd be a great fit at a program like Oklahoma, Illinois, Syracuse or even Cal.

Cleeland will be the best overall athlete on the field in most cases this season. Just that he also needs to be the smartest...he is not as quick or as shifty as Pinnick, however...but he does carry 225 lbs. on a 6'-1" frame and has a cannon. Jesuit HS Highlights (Beaverton, OR): Link

Good news is all the tape will be relatively new with a new QB...assuming Plough and Co. tweak the offense for Clee. The Big Sky will have to defend something they haven't seen yet...and Clee gets to open his career in the Portland area next season. This is assuming he's starting Week 1 and earns the job. With Wrighster and Rasor in the Portal, seems that's the notion.

https://www.on3.com/college/uc-davis-aggies/transfer-portal/wire/football/

Pitt contacts RB Carter Vargas:
https://www.si.com/college/pittsburgh/football/pitt-panthers-contacts-fcs-transfer-carter-vargas

Didn't hear Shamburger's name much this season. Remind me, was he injured or simply not playing?

It's the Holiday, guys are busy and still thinking about options, taking phone calls (it happens) -- Should be hearing things by tomorrow. Portal typically runs 1/2 through 1/16

Looking ahead at next year's schedule, I think I'm headed to the following Road games:
Aug. 29 @ Portland State - if anybody wants to go fishing that weekend (or Friday), just DM me on this site. Crabbing is also an option out of Astoria, OR - just get a hold of me.
Sept. 12 @ SMU - 50/50 on making it to Dallas for this one. 6thman, may make the trip.
Oct. 17 @ Southern Utah - Las Vegas trip welcome -- might be in Cabo that weekend we'll see where I end up.

We have a very balanced 2026 schedule, and our two hardest games (on paper) are before the end of September in @ Southern Methodist and vs. Montana.

vs. Reno would've felt more appropriate!

If Rocko or any admin are reading - please, don't wait till late January to spread the word.

They are basically irrelevant - however, they can serve as building blocks for programs looking to boost up their image (see Penn State win at Yankee Stadium, or maybe Michigan outcome vs. Texas) or at least give their alumni one last hurrah for the year. The only downside being that most of the star players do not play if they're declaring for the draft - or the Portal...so the rate of return on the game is somewhat diminished.

Me personally however, I've found most of the bowl games to be entertaining, my Dad and I were invested watching the New Mexico vs. Minnesota game - Eck had those Lobos flying around the field, but the play by the Gophers to seal the win was phenomenal, we were yelling out loud "Did he catch that? Whoa! What a play, what the hell was that safety doing over the top?"

Still entertaining, that's my two cents...it's also a chance for players-to-be in the program to come out and shine when the declaring players aren't in there.

I imagine the NCAA insists on it - they don't want to lose face.

Making the decision public, and exposing the language to the UC Davis legal community, which is quite extensive and diversified, can only help the Brothers Connors.

Brandon Rice for the win!

It's "Beer Me."