I'm highly skeptical of transfer rumors originating on a rival team's forum. That said, here's how I would categorize transfer risks.
Not Transferring: Clark, Marshall, Martin, Stuelke.
Would Need A Waiver (So Highly Unlikely): Feuerbach, Davis
I'd Be Shocked: Ediger, Affolter
I Wouldn't be Shocked: Gyamfi, McCabe, Goodman, O'Grady, Wetering
Just a note that this rando person on CF may have just seen someone on this very board say “I think 2 could transfer” and relayed that lol.
Still, doesn’t mean we’re immune to transfers. It’s hard for me to pick anyone as *likely* to transfer bc there’s a compelling argument to be made for everyone to stay. It hasn’t seemed like there were any outstanding chemistry issues either.
Furthermore, I actually was very surprised when Bluder asked 3 seniors to return tbh bc I found it hard to believe she would tie her own hands with regard to the portal, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she knew someone was on their way out…
My ”0 chance of leaving”: Clark, Marshall, Davis, Martin. They’ve all committed to play for Iowa next year, not just come back and play somewhere.
I’d be shocked:
- Feuerbach — absolutely loves the team, including Clark (her roommate) and will certainly get minutes next year if not start. Bluder mentioned she was taking big strides in the off-season before her injury. The waiver thing is also a good point. I think she is very happy at Iowa after being not happy at Iowa State.
- Affolter and Stuelke — basically the same reasons, except the obvious.
In short, I think Bluder has big plans for all 3 of these players and the chemistry is there for all of them. If they want out, she will fight for them.
Wouldn’t be shocked: McCabe, Gyamfi, Goodman, Wetering.
- They all could leave and find starting spots at other schools but may struggle with finding minutes at Iowa, potentially for the rest of their career. I think UNL would welcome McCabe with open arms, Goodman would likely start at Iowa State with their transfer issues.
- Gyamfi and McCabe are at least young enough they should have a bit more runway (and the 3 freshman seem to be thick as thieves), but Goodman and Wetering might see the writing on the wall.
- Wetering’s boyfriend runs track for Iowa tho. She could look somewhere like Drake, I would guess. Does Megan Meyer still has a year left?
- Jada is interesting — a lot of may hinge on her upside and Bluder’s plans for her. We saw the least of her this yr. Bluder said it was due to her lingering injury, but none of us expected her to get much time. Is she athletic enough to fight her way to the top of the bench? I’d love others insight here. Bluder wants her at the 3 or 4, so that means after Martin leaves, she’ll likely be competing with Affolter, Gyamfi, Feuerbach and Wetering for minutes.
Most at risk:
- Edigar — I just don’t see her breaking thru the rotation. I wonder if she would start somewhere like Creighton. But she also loves this team, the staff, her major.
- O’Grady — We need a center, I agree she may not want to play that position. I keep coming back to this bc Bluder mentioned it a few times in the press, it was certainly a dynamic you can’t overlook. Not too dissimilar to Angel Reese’s situation at MD tbh. I have a hard time seeing O’Grady as a 4 in most top 25 programs, but she could be an impact player with her height alone at many schools. It rly seemed O’grady was high risk for awhile — due to playing time (and that “tough coaching” moment in the Rutgers game looms large) — but the post season was good to her. She is again firmly in the running to start next year IMO. But I’m not sure that’ll be enough.
I will also say, a lot of this is depth related, and when you play for NC-caliber team, you have to expect that cracking the starting 5 will be tough. I’m sure that for at least one of these SAs, that is undeniable and may just be a tough truth they (hopefully) accept and are willing to embrace alongside playing with their friends at a school they love.
There is also calculus here. I.e., if O’grady transfers, that’s potentially quite an opportunity for Goodman…
