NCAA - 85 man scholarship limitation. Alabama - Saban's recruiting 2007 - 25 players signed 2008 - 32 players signed 2009 - 27 players signed 2010 - 25 current verbals with 3 more expected on signing day. Simple math shows that in Saben's first 4 year recruiting cycle at UA he has essentially signed an entire extra class beyond NCAA limits. :shock: :roll:
It's pretty much the way all SEC teams recruit. They sign players that they know can't qualify for admission. I also wonder what the retention rate is for SEC teams for the kids that do qualify and are admitted? I've always had the sense (right or wrong) that SEC teams don't worry about grad rates and don't worry about running kids off who don't look like they will help the team and bring in JUCO's to fill the gaps. I do think though that Gator Bill said that the SEC is limiting oversigning to 28 players. Also with EE being able to count against a previous years class you can recruit more than 25 and get them all in if the previous years class came up short in numbers.
Just for the record, it's all legal. They play to win down in the SEC whether or not it's in recruiting or on the field. I don't know what happens though if they miscalculate and have more kids who qualify ready to go in August than they can legally admit into school. I know Fla had a kid like that a few years ago and it was some what of a big stink. I think they were able to get the NCAA to void his LOI and he found a spot at Miami. I wonder if there are more situations like that. Irish have rarely taken a kid who isn't already qualified and ready to go on LOI Day. I think that is the way to go, but again not illegal to do otherwise, just a little more risky.
I think Saban has a way of encouraging players who have not worked out to move on. I would agree with Terry but would also say that the Gators do get the people they sign into school. I believe that everyone who signed a LOI with the Gators has made it into school the last 4 years. One or two of them made it a semester late but still made it. Dee Finley is the last one that I know didn't make it with his class but came in this last January. And we are graduating our players at a good rate. I'll not speak for the rest of the SEC, but think Terry has a legitimate point.
Hey Terry, I had just got back from bowling and didn't get my afternoon nap. Sorry. I corrected my post to Terry.
Corey, read my first post. Where I now have Terry's name I had yours. You had not posted but I answered as if you had. Sorry for the confusion.
Over the last 5 classes, UF signed 110 guys, ND's signed 100. Obviously attrition due to grades or playing-time transfers contributes to the difference ...... as does the # of jucos signed as well as players leaving early for the NFL.
Gaeterz that's over 5 classes, which is less than 25/year. Bama has signed 109 over the last 4 classes.
Terry, Just a little hyperbole. 109 in 4 years (I'll take your word for it) is not quite an entire class. It works out to an average of 2.25 extra players a year. Today we signed 26. We had 11 players enroll early and some of those will be used to fill some of last year's slots. These are players that transferred, quit or medicalled out. I think we had a junior college player this year and that counts two years back I think. Anyway, I guess any publicity is good publicity, just spell our name right.
Sorry Terry, I guess the "SEC math" characterization ....... threw me. Some other #s over last 5 seasons: Texas - 115 Okla - 121 VaTech - 120 PSU - 103 USC - 99 Cal - 108