Both had very little returning, with Pope having far less than Cal, of course. Both had high fan expectations to do well in first year. Pope has the transfer portal and Nil$$$, but no available Freshmen to recruit. Cal had no way of getting immediate, first-year players, other than Freshmen. Transfers had to sit out a year.
Cal took 5-star, one-and-done Freshmen players. Pope has recruited out of the portal, using NIL$$$, including 5 one-and-done veteran players … and they all look very good.
It is amazing that both situations were very similar, yet very different to remedy.
Cal somewhat painted himself into a corner by his first year. Pope will have turnover after this first year and it will be interesting to see if non-Seniors are loyal to the program and remain … or Pope will be forced to be heavily portal going forward.
GO CATS !!!
Cal took 5-star, one-and-done Freshmen players. Pope has recruited out of the portal, using NIL$$$, including 5 one-and-done veteran players … and they all look very good.
It is amazing that both situations were very similar, yet very different to remedy.
Cal somewhat painted himself into a corner by his first year. Pope will have turnover after this first year and it will be interesting to see if non-Seniors are loyal to the program and remain … or Pope will be forced to be heavily portal going forward.
GO CATS !!!
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