Scholarship numbers and number of commits
On Rivals there is an article where the Big Ten Director of Compliance finally clears up this whole conversation on whether EE's count against, in this case, '09 or '10. Here is the link (behind a paywall): http://michigan.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=338&mid=129171068&sid=883&ti…
In sum, a school has the option of which class they want to count it against. Another thing for each school to consider is their total number of scholarships because that could limit them. Witty and other EE's will be counted toward '09 or '10 and it will most likely be split to maximize numbers since we aren't in danger of surpassing the 85 total.
I'm a daily reader and haven't seen this posted yet. If this is a double post and this was definitively answered for everyone already, forgive me.
December 19th, 2009 at 9:36 AM ^
but I don't think you're right about this "since we aren't in danger of surpassing the 85 total." While there were only 71 or 72 recruited scholarship players on the team, many of the open scholarships were given to walk-ons. That number has not been determined but enough were given out such that Kovacs could no longer get one.
http://www.annarbor.com/sports/next-up-for-jordan-kovacs-a-scholarship/
"He's certainly earned one when we have one available," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said earlier this week. "I haven’t talked to him about it, but his performance and what he’s done, he’s earned the right to be on scholarship. So once we have one available, he’s the first one in."Now, this could mean that they were reserving enough scholarships to count back, but it could also mean they gave out all of the scholarships up to 85 to additional walkons. Knowing RR's love of the walkon program, I imagine it's closer to the latter.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:13 AM ^
Does assigning early enrollers to '09 have any effect on the 28 limit, or is that hard-and-fast not matter what. For example, if we were able to assign four of the players we sign in Feb. to '09, could we sign a total of 29? Or would we have sign 28, but then have a spot avail next year for someone to be assigned back into?
December 19th, 2009 at 11:43 AM ^
Michigan can go to 29 this year--but must be at 26 on Aug 1. Don't ask how I know this (paywall info) because I won't tell you (King Beaver said it).
There's no need for the requisite 290,000 million threads we'll get on it between now and NLOID.
29 signees, down to 26 on Aug 1 (gray shirts, academic oopsies, etc.)
December 19th, 2009 at 11:53 AM ^
That's not true. We don't need to be down to 26.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
Yes, yes we do.
December 20th, 2009 at 8:59 AM ^
In February 2009, Michigan signed 22 players. One (Witty) did not enroll, so the number of scholarship players in its 2009/2010 class is only 21 (4 short of the 25 maximum). Assuming Witty enrolls next semester, he still can be counted as a scholarship in Michigan's 2009/2010 class (NCAA rule), bringing the total number of scholarship players in Michigan's 2009/2010 class up to 22.
In February 2010, Michigan is allowed to sign a maximum of 28 players (B10 rule). Since Michigan only has 22 scholarship players in its 2009/2010 class, up to three of the February 2010 signees can count as scholarship players in the 2009/2010 class so long as they enroll next semester (NCAA rule). Assuming at least three EEs (in addition to Witty), this will bring the total number of scholarship players in Michigan's 2009/2010 class up to the maximum of 25 and leave 25 remaining February 2010 signees. These 25 remaining February 2010 signees, whether they enroll early or in August, will comprise the 25 scholarship players in Michigan's 2010/2011 class. No grayshirts required (well, unless we blow through the total cap of 85 scholarships).
December 20th, 2009 at 2:28 PM ^
Were any of the players in last years class backdated to the year before. B/c if that's the case then we would have more spots that could be used up by EEs this year
December 19th, 2009 at 11:55 AM ^
it has been proven on here
December 19th, 2009 at 2:40 PM ^
Your choice if you believe him or not, but he was very firm on his belief that we could have 26 scholarship players in the class come August. His said he'd clarify on the Scout site...
December 19th, 2009 at 3:47 PM ^
doesn't include the possibility of B. Smith transferring since he is still on scholarship or the possibility that all fifth years don't come back. I think that number will grow to 28 with up to 4 EEs being counted toward last year as we only signed 21.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:35 PM ^
transferring doesn't really change anything regarding the size of recruiting classes.
Michigan is going to backcount 1 recruit toward '09 class and the rest will be part of '10 class even if there's early enrollees. You can't backcount 4 of them like in the past.
Michigan can sign 29(one backcounting which will be Witty toward '09 class) but has to get down to 26 by August practice. There are a couple of players who is in danger of not qualifying. Also, there may be one or two recruits who will be asked to greyshirt so the number can drop down from 29(with one backcounting) to 26 by August practice.
December 20th, 2009 at 6:14 AM ^
Provided we do not go over the total scholarship limit of 85, we can sign 28 players in 2010 and (a) count three EEs and Witty as part of the 2009/2010 class, bringing that class up to 25 scholarship players, and (b) enroll the remaining 25 players into the 2010/2011 class. This will allow us to add 29 total scholarship players in 2010 (again, assuming we do not go over the total limit of 85). Moreover, this is not considered "backcounting" or "backdating" because EEs are in the same school year as players who enrolled the previous August.
The applicable NCAA and B10 rules are fully discussed (including direct quotes and examples by Chad Hawley, Big Ten Director of Compliance) at:
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/early-enrollessclass-size-solved
December 20th, 2009 at 2:26 PM ^
Michigan can only backcount one EE, not 3. They can sign 29 but has to get down to 26 by August practice. Michigan compliance told RR that he can only backcount 1 EE and has to get down to 26 recruits in one class. Assuming that both Drake and Kinnard qualify, RR will have to ask 2 recruits to greyshirt in order to get that number down.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:46 PM ^
So, I'm watching the Texas high school playoffs in Houston on FSN, and they reported that Holmes pulled the switch from FSU to Michigan. Is FSN way off on this? I haven't heard anything anywhere.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:36 PM ^
is off on this one unless they have inside info. As of now, he's firmly committed to FSU.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:41 PM ^
I figured as much. Would have been absolutely out of the blue. Oh well.
December 19th, 2009 at 7:24 PM ^
Last update from TomVH on this site has UM still recruiting him and he was open to a visit and that was before Bowden was let go.
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/holmes-onwukaife-update