2027 Mark Matthews 4* OL from STA

[TheRichtShow]

If Bell is gone

LT Portal or Oku
G McCoy
C Portal or R-Rod
G Oku or Kinsler
RT Cantwell or Oku

Basically what I'm saying is we bring in one portal starter but only one…And it could be any of the positions based on if Rich Rod is starter material for one year if Oku stays at guard or kicks out. McCoy is pretty **** average but I assume he starts his senior year. I would make Cantwell a favorite to start but I don't think it's a lock.

Others who could factor in… Buchanon, SJ, Ervin

Disagree with almost all of this.

Bell will very likely be back at LT.
Cantwell is almost certainly going to start at RT. He's a CiCi level, Day 1 starter at every program in the country.
Center will be SJ (if he improves his snapping) or a transfer

And saying McCoy is "average" I really don't get. He was one of the better guards in the ACC this year. He's only "average" in the context of our OL.

 

[Otiscane]

Disagree with almost all of this.

Bell will very likely be back at LT.
Cantwell is almost certainly going to start at RT. He's a CiCi level, Day 1 starter at every program in the country.
Center will be SJ (if he improves his snapping) or a transfer

And saying McCoy is "average" I really don't get. He was one of the better guards in the ACC this year. He's only "average" in the context of our OL.

McCoy had a tough first half of the season but picked it up near the end and was rock solid against A&M.

 

[TheUBack]

@Paranos and O-Line gurus, how does Matthews compare to Cantwell at the same point last year?

 

[BeastMode]

Disagree with almost all of this.

Bell will very likely be back at LT.
Cantwell is almost certainly going to start at RT. He's a CiCi level, Day 1 starter at every program in the country.
Center will be SJ (if he improves his snapping) or a transfer

And saying McCoy is "average" I really don't get. He was one of the better guards in the ACC this year. He's only "average" in the context of our OL.

SJ will not be the starting center. He weights like 260lbs. Did you see how small he looks compared to other guys when he is out on the field.

 

[GOCANES05]

Nice jaw impressive

 

[Jassid82]

All I know is..IF Bell stays..(which I don’t think he does) there is no reason for us to hit the portal for anything at OL. Do yall realize how crowded our OL room is in 2026??

Bell
Samson
Kinsler
McCoy
SJ
Rodriguez
Campbell
Plazz
Wilkerson
Buchanan
Franchilla

INCLUDING 6 incoming True Freshman. That’s 16-17 OL. If you can’t find 5 who can play then we got other issues. The only guy I kick the tires with if he enters is Jordan Seaton. Outside of him, develop what you have in the room already. A kid like Tommy Kinsler will be in his 4th year…he’s not ready for contribute yet???

 

[Damiencane86]

All I know is..IF Bell stays..(which I don’t think he does) there is no reason for us to hit the portal for anything at OL. Do yall realize how crowded our OL room is in 2026??

Bell
Samson
Kinsler
McCoy
SJ
Rodriguez
Campbell
Plazz
Wilkerson
Buchanan
Franchilla

INCLUDING 6 incoming True Freshman. That’s 16-17 OL. If you can’t find 5 who can play then we got other issues. The only guy I kick the tires with if he enters is Jordan Seaton. Outside of him, develop what you have in the room already. A kid like Tommy Kinsler will be in his 4th year…he’s not ready for contribute yet???

I totally get this sentiment. But if you can upgrade anywhere on the field, even a position of strength you do it. My best guess is the only portal add is for C. Mirabal places a lot of responsibility on that spot.

 

[redrum2340]

All I know is..IF Bell stays..(which I don’t think he does) there is no reason for us to hit the portal for anything at OL. Do yall realize how crowded our OL room is in 2026??

Bell
Samson
Kinsler
McCoy
SJ
Rodriguez
Campbell
Plazz
Wilkerson
Buchanan
Franchilla

INCLUDING 6 incoming True Freshman. That’s 16-17 OL. If you can’t find 5 who can play then we got other issues. The only guy I kick the tires with if he enters is Jordan Seaton. Outside of him, develop what you have in the room already. A kid like Tommy Kinsler will be in his 4th year…he’s not ready for contribute yet???

My opinion is that Bell stays. Here’s why. Monkey see, monkey do scenario: since Fletcher announced he will return, others on the fence will follow, especially since Fletch is such a respected team leader. In prior years, it was the same situation but in reverse. The culture has flipped in a good way.

 

[bobbydigius]

All I know is..IF Bell stays..(which I don’t think he does) there is no reason for us to hit the portal for anything at OL. Do yall realize how crowded our OL room is in 2026??

Bell
Samson
Kinsler
McCoy
SJ
Rodriguez
Campbell
Plazz
Wilkerson
Buchanan
Franchilla

INCLUDING 6 incoming True Freshman. That’s 16-17 OL. If you can’t find 5 who can play then we got other issues. The only guy I kick the tires with if he enters is Jordan Seaton. Outside of him, develop what you have in the room already. A kid like Tommy Kinsler will be in his 4th year…he’s not ready for contribute yet???

And a majority on that list have not shown the ability that they can play at the level we need them to. We absolutely bring in 1 OL at least, cause we don’t have a center. Now that doesn’t mean those guys can’t step up or won’t, the staff will know what they have there but as a fan, I can’t imagine being happy with that room based on what we know today. Of course I’m basing this on expectations being set to returning to the CFP and competing for a title.

 

[RickRollU]

My opinion is that Bell stays. Here’s why. Monkey see, monkey do scenario: since Fletcher announced he will return, others on the fence will follow, especially since Fletch is such a respected team leader. In prior years, it was the same situation but in reverse. The culture has flipped in a good way.

It’s easy to comeback when you’re getting drafted Day 3… Bell has a tougher decision depending on the grades he gets.

 

[Scorpioncane]

At this point we've earned the right to do better than McCoy at the most important OL position imo

Has he played tackle? If not, then how you know? I've only seen him at guard?

 

[Scorpioncane]

SJ will not be the starting center. He weights like 260lbs. Did you see how small he looks compared to other guys when he is out on the field.

You do realize people add weight and grow!...next year will be his rs sophomore year.so, it's possible he could hit 300 and grow an inch or 2

 

[Combo]

You do realize people add weight and grow!...next year will be his rs sophomore year.so, it's possible he could hit 300 and grow an inch or 2

hit 300 - yes. grown and inch or 2 - very unlikely.

 

[Scorpioncane]

hit 300 - yes. grown and inch or 2 - very unlikely.

Don't forget there (kids) to us! An inch or 2 is reasonable he's been here for 2 years! Are you sure he hasn't grown yet?

 

[Canes Legacy]

Can’t wait for the newly confident Gators to claim he’s not SEC material @RVACane

 

[gogeta4]

Don't forget there (kids) to us! An inch or 2 is reasonable he's been here for 2 years! Are you sure he hasn't grown yet?

SJ IS A FRESHMAN

 

[Scorpioncane]

SJ IS A FRESHMAN

SJ IS A FRESHMAN

Ok, I stand corrected! next year will be year 2! Doesn't mean he hasn't grown!

 

[Paranos]

@Paranos and O-Line gurus, how does Matthews compare to Cantwell at the same point last year?

2027 OT Mark Mathews is more technically advanced due to playing at STA and playing against the best competition in the country. Were as 2026 OT Jackson Cantwell is a generational physical specimen who is student of the game and has high FBI but is raw in terms of technique.

Cantwell will be a starter at UM in 2026 and in 2027 Mathews will redshirt at UM.

Go Canes

 

[CanefaninBuckeyeland]

I saw SJ at the Pitt game and he did look really small, especially compared to the other linemen next to him. It wasn't just weight, but body composition as well. He's got time, that's for sure, but it gets late early! Especially with the way Mario approaches recruiting and the portal.