The Cardinal had a poor run game this year, 1300 yards total for the team. RBs Jones and Peat, both juniors about UG size, each had about 400 yards. They have a Soph RB who's 210.
I think DrMike hit it on the nose above. The extra COVID year of eligibility appears to be impacting portal entry across both the FCS and FBS ranks. Players are graduating but, primed with available eligibility, are looking at vaulting to a new school as part of a graduate degree pursuit. I would think that institutions like UC Davis (top tier academic schools) will pay a steep price given this phenomenon; ie. schools where acceptance to their graduate programs is very competitive.
you’re right; schools where it’s easy to get in AND class attendance might be not exactly mandatory will benefit. Guys can come in, play, and don’t worry about future academic eligibility.
I don’t think that fits UG, but it certainly something that’s happening out there.
I recall that it has always been the case that a grad transfer does not need to sit out a year. Like Kennedy Koehler, I suspect many graduates of UCD would be highly likely to be able to get into graduate programs in most schools across the country and would want to continue their educations in specialities not available at Davis.
You're correct on that front. Grad transfers don't need to sit out a year. IIRC there used to be a rule where the grad school program that you're enrolling in couldn't be offered at the school you were at but I'm not sure if that's still the case.
My nephew started at PSU, graduated, then entered the portal as a graduate student and ended up as a starter for a pac 12 team. Looks like they are headed to a bowl game. He did not have to sit out.
That is great. I remember reading a thread a while back that said Coach Les wouldn't let a player back on the team if they chose to jump into the portal as it showed they weren't fully committed to the program. Glad that Coach Hawkins does not share the same philosophy. Seems reasonable for some players to want to see if they can make a move up to a higher level and increase their chances at getting into the NFL and if they don't have success in finding a school to take them than stay at Davis.
With Gilliam back, hopefully we get the right fit, (internal or external), at QB to make this work. I’m wondering if his decision has anything to do with the QB situation.
“ Has Rodriguez officially graduated?”
Not sure, but I heard from a good source that he was not returning to play football. My guess is he is graduating.