The transfer portal giveth and the transfer portal taketh.
In this new era of college football, the transfer portal is a must if a team wants to find success, but the choice is up to you on navigating it.
The Longhorns have selectively used the portal to bolster depth in positions or add a clear upgrade, like how wide receiver Adonai Mitchell was for the 2023 team.
Then there are teams like the Florida State Seminoles, who have relied on the portal, adding 17 and 23 players in the 2024 and 2025 offseasons, with varying success following.
When former Sam Houston State head coach K.C. Keeler departed for Temple in December, the Bearkats entered the portal sweepstakes.
After 11 years of stability with Keeler at the helm, the Bearkats had 30 players depart through the portal, 25 more players than the lowly five combined from the two previous years. The Bearkats also went shopping, bringing in 27 players this offseason.
Replacing the second-winningest active college coach is not an easy feat and so the Bearkats turned to a familiar face. Phil Longo, a former offensive coordinator under Keeler from 2014-16, replaced his former boss after his firing from Wisconsin.
During his first tenure in Huntsville, the Bearkats went to consecutive Football Championship Subdivision semifinals in 2014-15, but the second time around is almost always not as good as the first time.
“The camp in August, which is really a four week period … but there was a much greater focus on just getting to know our players,” Longo said. “You know 33 of those 55 arrived here in June and had never worn a Sam Houston helmet … I don’t know how many of the new guys are starting because most of the team is new.”
The Bearkats were one of a few teams to begin their season in week zero, meeting the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Hilltoppers did what they have done to many teams over the past few seasons, pass for over 400 yards and win the game by three scores.
Redshirt senior quarterback Hunter Watson has brought some consistency for the Bearkats, but missed the team’s week two loss to the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors with an undisclosed injury. It’s hard to offer consistency when only three players who caught 15 or more passes return to the team.
Between playing the Hilltoppers and Rainbow Warriors, the Bearkats played their first home game, getting out to a slow start, being down 31-7 in the third quarter to the UNLV Rebels. The offense eventually turned to redshirt freshman quarterback Mabrey Mettauer, who led two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late as the Rebels won 38-21.
“We’re focused on the process now,” Longo said. “As much as that is coach speak, that is definitely where we are as a program.”
After playing in week zero, a team is eligible for a third bye week or a 13-game season, but the Bearkats opted to take the time off, mainly benefiting Watson to get healthier at quarterback.
Winning week-to-week is always the goal, but during these non-conference games, the Bearkats focus on one-on-one battles. Posing individual challenges to players puts the game into perspective and creates fantastic opportunities for players to attack and grow through the season.
