No doubt, Byers and Elmer are good players and these are significant losses. But our Byers replacement may very well already be on the roster-Kyle Waltz. Need to add more depth at that position. Elmer we have to replace. No immediate “heir” on the roster. We need a guard, a wing, and 1-2 bigs.
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I think our portal losses this year are more than last year plus we have massive graduation losses but if we dont lose anyone else and our coaching staff comes back then I have a lot of optimism for next year
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Yes - several of us went to pre-season practices back in July & August 2025, and at the time I thought Waltz was our next Byers in training.
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Would love to see Waltz add some strength, but more importantly, add some agility.
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Agreed here. I wish we’d ended up redshirting Waltz, but what’s done is done. Hopefully after a full offseason he’s ready to go.
It will be interesting to see what we prioritize in the portal. Obviously a big. After that I would think a wing and a stretch 4.
Kirby is kind of our Elmer replacement. He’s not quite as tall, but is an equivalent athlete, and I think has chance to be a high-level defender.
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I think by the time Waltz gets to his 5th year, the NCAA will be under 5 year blanket rule probably, so doubt the redshirt will matter (see other portal thread for beginning steps of that proposal just announced). Also, if Waltz works out, he won’t be here for year 5 anyways so kind of moot.
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Waltz did a post-grad year right?
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I saw him in practice in November. He made some jaw dropping athletic moves. Whatever his shortcomings, he looked plenty agile.
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I look at Kirby as our Suder replacement.
Fair, and to some extent it’s semantics. In my mind, assuming Evan is back more or less by the start of the season, I would envision he and Luke being our starting backcourt/primary creators and Kirby being more of a wing/shooter/slasher (in Elmer’s mold), but it doesn’t make a ton of difference.
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Per Evan Miya, he was a slightly positive defender. Offense needs some work.
We need size and defense
That would really spice up the Redbird Rivalry.
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That airplane interior at High Point will probably seal the deal.
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Darweshi Hunter was the first blow
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https://x.com/theportalreport/status/2033235069993632162?s=46&t=bx1SrmhibOGwaCYl45Pdxg
Only took 1.7 a game but 33% from ft needs work but we need athletic role players for defense
Shot 62% from the field and took zero 3 point shots. Knew his role.
These could be false rumors but from what I’ve seen it seems that Elmer has been linked to LSU and WVU and Byers to Nebraska and WVU. I have not heard a word about Perry anywhere.
It may just be me but is it concerning to anyone else that Miami has only publicly been linked to 1 or 2 players? Maybe they’re trying to keep things under wraps but usually players and agents are putting everything out there. I trust Steele and Co. but I definitely want to hear more connections tomorrow or this weekend or it may be something to worry about….
I am not concerned.
I do not recall hearing anything about Suder, Woolfolk or Atlason before the deals were done with them.
Have faith my friend.
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Steele has his process, and has stated he hates the speed dating style of the portal. We were linked to very few last year. He values culture and fit
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