February 3rd, 2015 at 12:02 PM ^
I sure wish we were over the limit right now.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^
Meh, 89 isn't that bad; I could absolutely see some kids leave (like we saw here at UM) when the depth chart shakes itself out a bit. Provided they aren't forced out and they are given a chance to get a degree, I have less of an issue with it than, say, half the SEC recruiting 30+ kids multiple years and then kicking out kids because they need space. That stuff is the problem; being a couple over isn't that bad at this point. If memory serves me right, Michigan once had a couple over under Hoke and then it shaked out appropriately.
February 3rd, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^
Sorry, your comment reminded me of this and I had to share:
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^
I think that's Tennessee just the last two years.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^
I agree it's ridiculous but why is nobody questioning the players who have just as much access to the internet (presumably) as people here on the board do and yet continue to committ to programs where the likelyhood of playing is small? They can do the math too and see that the program is signing a lot of players at their position and that somebody's got to go.
I understand that the coaches are blowing smoke up their collective ass on how great they are and how they are God's special snowflake but some dude was the 17th defensive lineman to committ. How is the Hell does Mr 17 expect to see the playing field in the near (or even far) future and why wouldnt they committ to school less bloated at that position?
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:12 PM ^
That was my question as well. These kids have to know what the possibilities are when they commit to schools that consistently oversign. From the outside looking in, oversigning seems like a nasty business but you would think that eventually the horror stories from past players would either a) force schools to stop doing it or b) stop kids from committing to those schools.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:24 PM ^
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February 3rd, 2015 at 12:25 PM ^
I'm with you that kids and parents need to do a better job of due diligence, no doubt. I don't think that's mutually exclusive from trying to stop unethical coaching staffs from taking advantage of teenagers though.
Reforms like making the LOI binding on both parties and figuring out a way to cap scholarships based on class sizes or having players that leave count against a scholarship cap in certain cases would go a long way towards making a better situation for the players and to rewarding programs that actually give a shit about their student athletes.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:34 PM ^
These kids are highly competetive humans with high levels of self confidence. They probably don't even entertain the thought that they might be the one who gets cut. They also probably wouldn't have made it to the point of getting an offer from OSU without being that way.
February 3rd, 2015 at 4:34 PM ^
the right answer. You think Dee Hart didn't KNOW he'd be the #1 back option for Alabama when he committed?
February 3rd, 2015 at 1:52 PM ^
I think more of the blame lies with the parents. These are 17 and 18 year old kids and these coaches have very strong and convincing personalities. I don't think its unreasonable to believe a kid could know the depth chart, but a coach like Urban, Saban, Harbaugh sells them on the dream of as long as they come in and compete and work their tail off it will be their spot over everyone elses.
It should be the parents job to help keep the kid grounded and go for the best situation for them, not where the coach does the best sales job. I'm sure its tough for a parent to convince their kid what is actually in the kids best interest, but its still their job to make sure their kid doesn't get sold a bunch of magic beans.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^
Does 85 get counted ? In the Fall ?
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^
You have to be at 85 scholarship athletes on the first day of fall practice.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:13 PM ^
Personally I have no problem with over-signing. I don't think you are entitled to a roster spot at a top athletic program over soemone else who's more deserving simply because you committed before them or because you put up good stats in high school. I also have no problem with making kids try out every year and sending them on their way if they fail to make the cut. If academics is your #1 concern but you also want to play football, then don't attend a power 5 conference school. If you do choose to play for a power 5 school, you should go in knowing that it's very competitive and that there are no free lunches. If a kid fails to make the cut, then they have the option to transfer to smaller school if they want to continue to play football, or they can remain at their current school and finance their education with student loans like the rest of us did.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:54 PM ^
I know, and I disagree with that approach. Although, that's a much more vilable system in this age of recruiting services and technology, as it's far easier for coaches to "get it right" with evaluating a pospect than it was during Bo's days.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^
If you take that approach then why should there be any restrictions on where and when players can transfer? Why should they sit out a year? Why can their current teams dictate a destination?
Seems to me if you subscribe to the notion that players can protect themselves then you should also agree that schools do not need protection and players should be able to transfer at any time, without any type of restriction. Correct?
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^
Correct. The sit-out rule is designed for the benefit of the coaches and the programs, not the players. it's a very self-serving rule implemented by the rule-makers.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^
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February 3rd, 2015 at 12:21 PM ^
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:21 PM ^
sad to say, but i really think we're seeing a dynasty in the making, at least provided health issues don't arise for Meyer
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:31 PM ^
REMBER WHAT COMES AROUND COMES AROUND
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^
February 3rd, 2015 at 1:30 PM ^
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^
Braxton Miller is still counted in the 89. Everything I've heard was that he's transferring out. I could care less about their players but he is one that I've heard.
I'm sure there will be a couple that will leave etc also and one or two that won't make it.
February 3rd, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^
Michigan going over the 12 scholarships they appear to have because of further attrition from potential medical redshirts, etc. It could be Ohio State potentially has similar expectations of losing players that are perfectly legitimate.
Im all for fuck the bucks but I'm not sure this is really a story.
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
February 3rd, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^
February 3rd, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^
Sir Spicyweiner???
February 3rd, 2015 at 3:57 PM ^
February 3rd, 2015 at 1:32 PM ^
February 3rd, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^
The Big Ten allows a recruiting class size of up to 28 if you backdate three early enrolees. The issue isn't that the 2015 class is too big, it's that they'll be four scholarships above the total cap of 85.
February 3rd, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^
This is a stupid topic. WIth attrition and transfers, OSU will be back at 85.
February 3rd, 2015 at 3:06 PM ^
Fuck Ohio. And fuck Urban Meyer.
February 3rd, 2015 at 3:45 PM ^
Ohio State can go take a long walk off a short pier.
February 3rd, 2015 at 7:18 PM ^
I don't understand "oversigning" you're allowed 80 scholarships, so how can you have more even for a day?
February 3rd, 2015 at 10:00 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 1:08 PM ^
So Ohio State is now at 91, correct?
At the time of that article, they had a 25-man class, it's now 27. Not to mention they didn't grant two fifth-years their final season and gave out two medical hardships to even get to that figure.