@thehoosierhuddle The receiving core will most definitely be a strength for 2026. Becker, Marsh, Tyler Morris (Michigan transfer out with injury) and perhaps Cooper and Livingstone. Chandler, Bond and Kendrick may be ready to play but I'm not sure how Cig finds time for them to get on the field.
The staff likes all three of those guys. Bond played enough to burn his redshirt this year. I'd be shocked if he's not in the rotation at slot.
I think LB will be one of our strengths next year with Jones, Hardy, Turner, & Utzinger. The more the merrier considering injury risks & to have a 3 LB look maybe, but I think Jones & Hardy will be one of the top returning duos in the B1G.
@boogie fortunately, they got it like gangbusters this weekend.
With as many guys as I’ve seen leaving UK, I can only imagine how split Stein’s focus is at the moment. Even a true professional is going to have a hard time. Most coaches get one shot at a head coaching job, and if you start year 1 at a deficit it can be tough to gain traction.
@tmft I don’t know if Turner is coming back. He went through senior day
@evillehoosier8 we brought that up on the podcast. And no one seems to be talking about it as a factor. Both coordinators are talking over programs that need portal work
@thehoosierhuddle it has been front of mind for me and it just reinforces how big locking our boys up was for the team. I’m sure they are burning the midnight oil and doing plenty of prep, but it’s difficult enough to balance when everyone is recruiting for the same team and thus have a coordinated schedule. Stein may have zoom calls when Lanning is wanting to watch some additional film.
If there was ever a staff to take advantage of the extra film time, it’s Curt and Co.
I wonder what the status is in Xavier Gillian’s recruitment. IU is one of his final three teams along with Notre Dame and Tennessee. He is currently visiting Notre Dame right now. Landing him and Livingstone would be huge.
I wonder what the status is in Xavier Gillian’s recruitment. IU is one of his final three teams along with Notre Dame and Tennessee. He is currently visiting Notre Dame right now. Landing him and Livingstone would be huge.
He's supposed to be taking his visits.
I think Livingston is deciding what he wants to do... be a good receiver in a system that spreads the ball around or have a chance at being one of the main focal points.
Living in Austin and seeing the Horns a lot, Livingstone would be an awesome get. He seemed to make some big plays but there appeared to be some disconnect with Sark as the season wore on.
Lots of talk about a WR. I'm more concerned with OL. We have enough at skill positions.
Where do we stand with OL transfers?
@bradstevens They had one visit. There just aren't a lot in the portal right now. Also, IU is preparing to travel to the Peach Bowl so my guess is they won't have visitors again until they get back.
Parker Livingstone committed to Oklahoma. Darn. Maybe this means Cooper is coming back.
I’m not losing any sleep over Parker. I’m pretty happy with our receivers and even more so if Cooper comes back. I’m not really losing sleep over anybody because I know this staff has everything under control, but I am anxious to see who we get at OL/DT.
@tmft Who was the LB that made the nice interception subbing for Fischer, only to get injured. Think it was vs Iowa? Is he returning? Looked very promising for the short time I saw him.