Is Nebraska focusing too much on the built, not bought?

[huskerlucas]

I feel that Nebraska has taken this too far and aren't taking as many chances on transfers this year. They've already had Lachlan McNeil and Caleb Rathjen on visits to fill a very big hole at 149, and just missed out on Stiles (who knows if they were actually in contact), however they weren't that aggressive and talks just fizzled out. But the one that really stung was Nasir Bailey, who reached out to Nebraska to see if they would be interested, and nothing ever came of it and he ended up committing to Iowa.

I like that Manning and Co. focus on building recruits up but it would really be nice to see them get aggressive to fill in needs such as HWT and 149. It seems like they are making Built Not Bought their new saying and at some point it has to come back and bite them, especially after losing McNeil.

Don't get me wrong Nebraska has had some stellar recruits who have stayed all 4 years, but at some point they need to swallow their pride and dive into the portal, it's not an NIL issue or anything but more of a keeping their word and reputation issue.

Edited Sunday at 06:08 PM by huskerlucas

[Caveira]

6 minutes ago, huskerlucas said:

I feel that Nebraska has taken this too far and aren't taking as many chances on transfers this year. They've already had Lachlan McNeil and Caleb Rathjen on visits to fill a very big hole at 149, and just missed out on Stiles (who knows if they were actually in contact), however they weren't that aggressive and talks just fizzled out. But the one that really stung was Nasir Bailey, who reached out to Nebraska to see if they would be interested, and nothing ever came of it and he ended up committing to Iowa.

I like that Manning and Co. focus on building recruits up but it would really be nice to see them get aggressive to fill in needs such as HWT and 149. It seems like they are making Built Not Bought their new saying and at some point it has to come back and bite them, especially after losing McNeil.

Isn’t there a tweet from nebby bragging they don’t like to use the portal?

[huskerlucas]

Just now, Caveira said:

Isn’t there a tweet from nebby bragging they don’t like to use the portal?

I'm not familiar with that tweet, but I do know that the team went to the NE state capital and talked about how they take guys that they've recruited and propel them to the top, and they'd prefer to use their own talent instead of the portal.

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

Nebraska outplaced Iowa this year. Their homegrown strategy is working. 

[okokzach]

Why have portal guys come visit if you're not trying to sign them?

[MPhillips]

1 hour ago, huskerlucas said:

just missed out on Stiles (who knows if they were actually in contact), however they weren't that aggressive and talks just fizzled out. But the one that really stung was Nasir Bailey, who reached out to Nebraska to see if they would be interested, and nothing ever came of it and he ended up committing to Iowa.

You're obviously guessing at all of this...

[ionel]

29 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

You're obviously guessing at all of this...

... or maybe just sitting in the back? 

[Johnyt9]

its just PR spin.  They dont have the fund to compete with Iowa, Michigan, tOSU for Guys like Bailey, McNeil, and Stiles.

They had a good tournament and they spin all of this to say "built, not bought," but they are trying to buy guys too - just cant compete financially

PR 101

[Hammerlock3]

Manning saying that is just as stupid as when Ryan said it. Its goofy and childish and flatly dishonest to pretend they are turning down transfers on principle. If this was true they should get balls and publicly bash the portal and NCAA in general and I'll get my pom poms out.  

[Gantry]

Caleb Smith was a transfer from Appalachian State, before that they had Liam Cronin as a transfer.  So their 125 pounders have been transfers for what, the last 4 years? 

 

[Hammerlock3]

3 minutes ago, Gantry said:

Caleb Smith was a transfer from Appalachian State, before that they had Liam Cronin as a transfer.  So their 125 pounders have been transfers for what, the last 4 years? 

 

Yeah Manning buys what he can afford like everyone else.

[Husker_Du]

all of the above may be true, but it doesn't make the final product less, nor the 'built not bought' phrase inaccurate. 

the bottom line is, they just finished ncaa runners up with 7 homegrown AA's and another that cost exactly zero NIL/portal dollars. 

[Hammerlock3]

3 minutes ago, Husker_Du said:

all of the above may be true, but it doesn't make the final product less, nor the 'built not bought' phrase inaccurate. 

Manning wasn't saying it as a niche bit of trivia, he was implying some sort of moral superiority, in which case its completely inaccurate. 

[Husker_Du]

it doesn't make the final product less, nor the 'built not bought' phrase inaccurate. 

[TylerDurden]

Every team is building a portal reputation. 

HS recruits will know the difference between a team with an open door that will portal over you and one that is less likely to. I don't think we can say that there are any teams that won't portal over their own recruits, because that's the time we live in, but Nebraska is building its reputation as a place where HS kids can go and not be squeezed right away. 

There's a bit more nuance to it, but if you see a team bringing in 5-6 starters each year, you might consider going somewhere else to start your career. 

I think coaches need to find a good balance, but at the end of the day, they're paid to win. Some would rather use proven DI guys vs. HS kids, regardless of how good, and train them up. You can view that in different ways, but that sends a message to HS recruits. 

[Scouts Honor]

if you dont have the money you dont have the money

[Hammerlock3]

33 minutes ago, Husker_Du said:

it doesn't make the final product less, nor the 'built not bought' phrase inaccurate. 

yeah it just undermines the intent of the statement we're discussing 

[Johnyt9]

What Nebraksa is doing is certainly impressive. I think the statement is meant to build positive narrative around the team - some people think it means UN won't go after guys in the portal.  I don't think that is true. I think they've tried and weren't able to land them.  Things don;t go there way so they use what they have at their disposal to sell their success.  Any team (or any business) would spin it the same way. No harm, no foul. I just don;t think anyone should have the perception that Nebraska won;t add portal guys if they can get them at a price they can reasonably pay

[ionel]

Is it true Manning is hiring a stone mason as their 3rd asst coach?  

[Husker_Du]

i never know wth you're talking about, ionel. 

[Dark Energy]

Wait, what?  A coach is seeking to market his program and team as being distinct from others, with qualities some wrestlers may prefer, using facts?  How dare he do that!!!  

[Gene Mills Fan]

10 hours ago, Husker_Du said:

i never know wth you're talking about, ionel. 

they're building    but the foundation seems good!

[Fadzaev2]

18 hours ago, huskerlucas said:

I'm not familiar with that tweet, but I do know that the team went to the NE state capital and talked about how they take guys that they've recruited and propel them to the top, and they'd prefer to use their own talent instead of the portal.

Saw a Manning interview along that line.

[Dogbone]

A coach has success and then uses that success to build upon it??   He is obviously taking to HS recruits and trying to market the program in a positive light.   Crazy, I know.

It's also crazy how many people associate the phrase "bought" as all transfers.  Nebraska has taken transfers but not paid the six figures numbers that other have.   Rathjen visited Nebraska but is transferring to UNI, I doubt he is getting "a bag"

[ionel]

10 hours ago, Husker_Du said:

i never know wth you're talking about, ionel. 

... that's the plan but ...

47 minutes ago, Gene Mills Fan said:

they're building    but the foundation seems good!

... more like a brick layer ... promise to the team and recruits:  we'll throw a brick for you.