Breaking: UNC Edge Tyler Thompson to enter Portal

This is the kind of thing you just can’t let happen and expect to be competitive in 2026. So disappointing…

We low balled him didn't we? ETA Mods are suggesting that this isn't a money issue. So, I stand corrected on that.

I really do hate Lombardi. One of the few players that was poised to take a step and we let him walk.

That sucks...........We have so many holes to fill that you can't overpay for one player I guess.

Well damn

Well this one stinks.

This one hurts.

BenSherman said:

Welp back to wanting this to end again

TarHeelDad said:

I really do hate Lombardi. One of the few players that was poised to take a step and we let him walk.

Might be some truth to that, but by letting a guy like this walk, you're just making another (sizeable) hole to fill

I really, really, really, dislike Lardo and the fact that he is being let make personal decisions. He stinks

First portal entrant that hurts. Have to replace the production or bring him back. A lot of guys like him flash and then leverage that into a big boy school overpaying. See Beau last year.

How does anyone know we "lowballed him" or "let him walk"? For all we know, he can't wait to take the first train smokin' out of the program for reasons other than top dollar.

TarHeelDad said:

I really do hate Lombardi. One of the few players that was poised to take a step and we let him walk.

We don’t know what happened here. Maybe Lombardi let him go or lowballed him or whatever. Or maybe he pulled a Vin Allen Lubin and he and his agent think he can get a big payday somewhere else. Could work out. Could end up like Lubin

NC kid too. Sigh

Wtf

I know it has been said many times but I hate college sports. This guy was never heard of until this year and blows up and would probably be a leader on the edge for us next year and then decides to leave.

Jamison33 said:

This is the kind of thing you just can’t let happen and expect to be competitive in 2026. So disappointing…

What do you mean “let”? You think they just were fine with this? All the reporting was that they were working to keep the DL room intact. They obviously don’t want him to leave. Should they chain him to the bleachers so he can’t? “Let” is poor word choice, because the players have the freedom to do whatever the hell they want in this era.

@BenSherman Is it possible any of the guys use entering for leverage in NIL negotiations, or if they've gotten to that point they're definitely gone? I know we had some come back after entering last year, but that's a lot different with a coaching change. Any insight to that with this staff going forward?

CharHeel said:

How does anyone know we "lowballed him" or "let him walk"? For all we know, he can't wait to take the first train smokin' out of the program for reasons other than top dollar.

they don’t know. Too many “fans” look for every reason to throw anyone and everyone involved with this staff under the bus. It’s exhausting

CharHeel said:

How does anyone know we "lowballed him" or "let him walk"? For all we know, he can't wait to take the first train smokin' out of the program for reasons other than top dollar.

Sure. Or maybe we were wiling to pay fair market value but his agent knows a handful of major schools will overpay for quality depth. Again, see Beau last year.

MajorHeel said:

NC kid too. Sigh

Yep. Hard to get buy in against teams like NCST and dook when it means so little to the majority of the team

Knee jerk reaction is that we low balled him. Anyone got any evidence of that? This one does hurt.