Knowing other coaches is huge as well - networking in the off-season getting phone calls from so-and-so at Nebraska and saying, "I got this kid Eli Simonson, he's a solid tackle, but I can't get him on the field and he's buried at 3rd on the depth chart. He can play for you, I know he can."

3 year starter, 1st Team all Big Sky.

Absolutely UCLA.

The right kind of young men will be attracted to come to Davis for a couple of reasons:
1) The Degree
2) The Chance to Play Every Day

Honestly, I think we play at a pretty high level of football. We aren't playing in the Horseshoe or nothing, but a lot of NFL players are on these rosters that Davis plays every year, and that includes those FBS games that will become more prevalent as the upgrades and transition draw nearer.

Can hear parents and coaches alike preaching to these young men, "Look, part of growing up is living with the consequences of your own decisions. Now you make a decision, but you live and die with the outcome, that's life."

Reading that 1/3 of the players in FBS are in the Portal right now.

Well, beyond the obvious losses we'll face for being so successful...

What are some failing programs that will be shedding players? Guys that were marginal at the FBS level but would start at Davis?...and for that matter who are some top FCS guys that would like a Graduate Year in Davis playing for a legitimate Big Sky contender?

Never watch MACtion games either.

Man, if it's just a money vs. risk thing, I mean, you take the money and develop in another program I guess -- or you could start Year 2 at Davis, not get paid as much...but you get to play, guaranteed, all year -- and vie for a Natty....and still have two years in a Portal window opportunity.

Note also the horror stories - QB Sluka went from Albany to UNLV under a promise for said contract --- never got paid a dime, and had to opt out of playing further for UNLV until either the contract terms were paid off or some other program picked him up...

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!