I posted this update in the aggie 2025 recruiting thread too, as I can't figure out which thread has more people interested in the actual 2024 aggie season versus just the ongoing banter about aggie stupidity and such, so for those interested in a team update from 247:
I feel like I'm getting a feel for diciphering Carter Karels coded messages being sent into the atmosphere for the outside world while captured deep behind The Elk's occupationist lines.
I've spoilered the full post from a Wednesday practice update, but here are highlights, as far as I know them from reading his code plus what my friends are hearing or knowing as well:
-They're starting to softpedal the notion that Marcel Reed is a better fit at QB for Klein's offense. I'm starting to see this pop up from both mods and also posters known to have some access. The logic is as basic and stereotypical as we would expect (which does make the cynic in me pause) - they don't have speed at the skill positions and they're going to need a mobile QB to make the offense click. Klein wants to run the QB, a lot, and they cannot comfortably do that with Weigatron. This is something to keep an eye on. If Liucci starts touting Reed before the ND game as well, the dam is breaking.
-In spite of all of their efforts regarding bringing in guys from the portal, they're about to be playing Sanford as the LB next to York. York is undersized and slow. Sanford is very fast but, if prior reports have any merit, tends to just run around a lot.
-Another similar instance is at CB, where the second starter is lining up to be Jayvion Thomas, rather than any of the portal transfer such as Ricks (5 star) and Lee (the esteemed KSU savior). There is no spin capable of washing off the stains of the claims made for the others. Hell, Liucci was talking all of them up on the radio yesterday. Right.
-They really, really lack offensive speed and they're starting to realize it. One guy is yearning on their boards for the tiny true freshman to play and he has trouble finding the fields for practice. None of the older WRs can beat anyone deep or out of a cut. Actually the one guy who can do that isn't close to healthy and might not play this year (the transfer from one of the FCS schools they were touting in the spring). They have no one at TB that can get around the edge consistently.
-Gabriel Brownlow Dindy has shown up healthy for the first time in his career. These guys seem to believe that that pussy will stay that way. Color me dubious.
-Depsite DJ Hicks having the 5 star pedigree and being paid $1M per year, Regis is outplaying him. Karels could never say this, but Hicks is the definition of "dead money" if he's not starting and playing regularly. Elko wants to play Regis. This is a coaching/booster conflict waiting to happen and worth watching this season.
-Outside of the QB hinting, the OL update is the biggest and funniest shit I've seen from them.
---Fatheree is nowhere to be found in the starting lineup and may not be running second team at RT. He still "isn't the same" since his mysterious injury like 18 months ago. I think this guy is being pushed through the program to get his degree and move on and they'd rather not have him publicly leave as another OL bust.
---The presumptive starting RT is the former KU guard that transferred in after being processed by Leipold. This is really fucking hilarious.
---They "need" Bisontis and Nabou to be badasses at both G positions because of problems at RT and C. This OL is going to be one of the worst OLs in P4 and they're going to get QBs killed. Defenses will not have to play off the ball with concern toward anyone getting behind them or any TBs beating them to the edge.