The Portal - Daily College Recruiting and NIL Podcast

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RECRUITING: Julius Jones, Jr Decides TODAY, Expectations for Brayden Parks, Segun Alexander & More Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Notre Dame football enters a pivotal phase as elite recruits prepare to announce their commitments—can the Irish solidify a top-tier Class of 2027? Tyler Wojcick and Brian Smith break down the latest developments after the program’s biggest summer recruiting weekends, spotlighting five-star offensive lineman Albert Simien and high-profile defensive targets Brayden Parks and Segun Alexander. The conversation explores key factors driving Simeon’s decision, head-to-head battles with rivals LSU and Texas A&M, and the impact of geography, NIL, and academic fit on Notre Dame’s recruiting strategy.

Brian Smith offers insider perspective on Julius Jones Jr.’s overall game, the legacy and skillset he brings as the son of a former Notre Dame star, and how he and Jackson Coleman could help solidify the receiving corps. The episode also covers the surprise Texas A&M commitment of linebacker Kaden Henderson, the urgency of landing four-star Roman Igwebuike, and why Marcus Freeman’s staff is comfortable taking a smaller, more selective recruiting class this cycle.

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TURNAROUND: Penn State Flips the Script on Recruiting, CHASING Deshawn Hall & Khalil Taylor Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

Penn State football recruiting turns the tide as Matt Campbell secures elite linebacker Case Alexander over Oklahoma, despite deep legacy ties to the Sooners. The Nittany Lions recover from recent recruiting setbacks and remain locked in heated battles for top wide receiver targets Khalil Taylor and Deshawn Hall, while Texas cornerback Dhillon McGee emerges as another name to watch. Are these late pushes enough to transform a good class into a program-defining haul?

Zach Seyko and recruiting expert Brian Smith dissect Penn State’s recruiting strategy, spotlighting the impact of coaching changes, NIL offers, and the importance of landing immediate playmakers. Key topics include concerns over flipped commitments, the significance of winning in-state battles, and the quest for true difference-makers at key positions. Can Penn State close strong and make a statement under Campbell’s leadership?

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RECRUITING NEWS & PREDICTIONS: Oregon, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas & More | Bama Schedule Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

College football recruiting heats up as Commitment Week arrives, with major programs like Oregon, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Miami, and Georgia jockeying for top prospects. Surprise flips and delayed decisions dominate the landscape, with standout recruits such as Greedy James, Brayden Parks, Marcus Fakatou, and more recruits caught in dramatic NIL-driven battles. Is your team ready to land the next breakout star?

Brian Smith breaks down the avalanche of new commitments, analyzes the growing role of boarding schools like IMG Academy, Baylor School, and Rabun Gap, and weighs the impact of NIL on elite high school athletes. Key storylines include Alabama’s unusually slow recruiting start, Georgia Tech’s stunning June haul, and predictions for high-profile talents set to shape the 2024 class. Plus, the SEC title race intensifies—will Alabama’s revamped schedule spark a return to dominance, or are the Tide due for a setback?

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DECISION WEEK: Ole Miss AIMS to Secure Caden Moss & Mitchell Turner Amidst Recruiting FRENZY Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Ole Miss football faces a high-stakes recruiting frenzy as top prospects like Caden Moss and Mitchell Turner eye key decisions that could reshape the Rebels’ future in the SEC. Can the Rebels fend off powerhouse programs like Alabama and Ohio State to secure these critical trench players? Brian Smith and Steven Willis break down the surge of official visits, NIL complexities, and the must-watch commitments set to drop before the dead period.

The conversation spotlights elite talents including safety Adryan Cole, corner Stanley Peters, Jr., defensive end Elijah Cox, and offensive lineman Antonio Berry, exploring their impact on Lane Kiffin’s roster blueprint. Are Ole Miss’s recent recruiting strategies enough to build dominance in the trenches and outlast SEC rivals? Plus, get insight into Congress’s controversial college football legislation and what it means for player compensation, media rights, and the sport’s future.

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INTEL: San Diego State Hits California HARD, Pac 12 making Recruiting INROADS Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

PAC-12 football recruiting heats up as San Diego State surges to the conference’s top class for 2027, riding a bold local strategy under Sean Lewis and eyeing future league dominance. Can the Aztecs’ efforts to keep Southern California talent at home finally close the gap with West Coast powerhouses like UCLA, Oregon, and USC?

Recruiting expert Brian Smith joins Christian Raugh to break down key storylines, including standout visitors like Jaiden Flores, the importance of mining hidden California talent, and how Washington State’s Caden Pinnick could become the league’s next quarterback sensation. The conversation spotlights the impact of transfer portal moves, junior college additions, NIL competition, and the critical need for elite media strategies and unified booster-administration support. Is this the formula for PAC-12 teams to compete with national giants and become the premier G6 conference?

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RIVALRY IGNITES: Texas A&M BEATS Notre Dame For Kaden Henderson, More Battles Ahead Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Texas A&M beat Notre Dame in a fiery recruiting battle that’s probably left some bad blood. There have been other recent Aggies versus Irish recruiting battles, and recruiting analyst Brian Smith explains why it’s just the beginning of the conflicts between these two prominent programs along the trail. Can Mike Elko’s expanded national reach outpace Marcus Freeman’s cross-regional tactics, and will NIL money ultimately tip the scales? The battle lines intensify as these powerhouse programs clash for top talent from Florida to New Jersey.

The conversation focused on dramatic shifts in the recruiting landscape, raising questions about Georgia Tech’s unexpected surge, Alabama’s NIL challenges, and emerging contenders like UCLA and Washington. The discussion explored conference dynamics, playoff expansion risks, and the increasing influence of boosters and NIL in shaping team rosters. Is the college football arms race now a battle of the billionaires, and how will programs like LSU and Georgia adapt to rapidly changing expectations? Don’t miss this can’t-miss breakdown of recruiting wars and national stage shake-ups.

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BLEEDING BLUE: Kentucky's FOOTBALL Recruiting Success EXPLAINED | Commitments & Gunner Rivers Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Kentucky hired Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein and voila! All of the sudden, the Wildcats became a recruiting machine. How did this happen and where’s the proof? Recruiting analyst Brian Smith breaks down UK’s dramatic recruiting rise, and it’s a barometer of how to win in modern college football.

Breaking down the latest commitments, with Ohio State, Auburn, TCU, and Texas among the programs adding to their 2027 recruiting hauls. Smith also breaks down multiple recruits from today’s South Alabama 7-on-7 event, including North Carolina State quarterback Gunner Rivers, and a top 2028 prospect from Hattiesburg (Miss.). As always, questions for the chat.

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PHENOM: Maplesville’s Nehemiah McCary ATTRACTS Major College Offers With INSANE Stats & Measureables Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Nehemiah McCary’s jaw-dropping athleticism has recruiters buzzing—can any high school defense in Alabama stop him? The Maplesville standout, Class of 2028, is rewriting expectations with a 6’3”, 240-pound frame, a 4.6 40-yard dash, and a shocking 38-inch vertical. Already a varsity running back since eighth grade, McCary has racked up 2,965 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns while showcasing freakish versatility and game-breaking talent.

Recruiting analyst Brian Smith focused on McCary’s rising national profile, with projections that he’ll draw 40+ scholarship offers as a future defensive end or outside linebacker. One concept discussed was how football luminaries like Justin Tuck and Bo Jackson emerged from small southern schools, posing the question: will McCary be the next legend from Alabama’s football-rich back roads? The discussion explored the unique excitement—and challenge—of discovering generational talent in unlikely places, promising fans a player whose passion and power are truly one-of-a-kind.

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RECRUITING INTEL: Notre Dame & Oregon DOMINATE With Abraham Sesay, Dakota Guerrant | Kaden Henderson Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Notre Dame and Oregon land five-star recruits Abraham Sesay and Dakota Guerrant, shaking up the college football recruiting landscape. Are the Irish and Ducks poised to dominate the next recruiting cycle? Brian Smith spotlights how Marcus Freeman and Dan Lanning’s recruiting prowess is pushing Notre Dame and Oregon toward possible top-five classes, while highlighting the significance of Charlie Partridge’s impact on Notre Dame’s defensive line haul.

Key discussion points include LSU and Georgia’s latest commitments, the recruiting buzz around emerging talents like Deshawn Hall and Nehemiah McCary (class of 2028), and how NIL dollars and relationships are swinging battles for elite prospects such as Kaden Henderson. The pod tackles SEC recruiting drama, Georgia Tech’s surprising surge, and the shifting dynamics for Alabama in the NIL era. Don’t miss insider takes on national flips, coaching strategies, and which programs are primed for commitment bonanzas as the dead period approaches.

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VOLATILE: Penn State WR Recruiting DRAMA—Jamir Dean Flips, Khalil Taylor & Deshawn Hall QUESTIONS Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Penn State football faces uncertainty after a recruiting hot streak fizzles—can the Nittany Lions bounce back or risk falling behind elite programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee in the wide receiver arms race? Zach Seyko and Brian Smith break down Jamir Dean’s sudden flip to Georgia, and the urgency around keeping top wide receiver talents Khalil Taylor and Deshawn Hall from being swayed by major NIL offers.

The conversation spotlights Penn State’s strategic pivot, including the critical addition of four-star defensive end Elijah Guertin over Florida and Tennessee. Recruiting wins, portal backup plans, and scheme fit for future defensive linemen take center stage, along with prospects like Dhillon McGee and Case Alexander. With the 2027 class hanging in the balance, can Matt Campbell’s staff turn commitment threats into long-term success, or is another setback looming?

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Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

Rugiet
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Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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