This comes with a few HUGE caveats. One, math isn't my forte'. Two, in some situations this is speculation. If there's one thing that's been a constant since Saban has been in Tuscaloosa it's the fact we've never known, without a shadow of doubt, who is on scholarship and who isn't.
With that being said...
These numbers are fluid. As example, we've had four juniors declare they are entering the draft. I do have reason to believe we'll have more move on and try their hands at the next level.
In terms of eligibility (Seniors) a rough count gives me 13 guys leaving. With those juniors, that leaves us with 17 departures at this time.
Fanning takes it to 18. If we ended the year with 85 it would leave the team with 67 returning for the 2014 season.
That 67 includes two players I feel won't be backāDickson and Kamara.
Now, as we stand today:
We have eight guys who reported for the spring semester and spring camp. Now that number is at 75 on scholly. Assuming our class is at the 25 mark for signees (who qualify and report and are on scholarshipāHolcombe won't be) we're now looking at 92 on scholarship.
(Here's one of the speculationsāwe end up with more than 25 commitments, but only 25 on scholarship.)
You've done the math. That leaves us with seven guys too many.
The one thing I can't forecast is how many guys have graduated and will choose to move on from football. Just as an example, on the defensive line alone, Orr, Love, and Ivory have all graduated and all three have eligibility remaining. Jarrick Williams in another on defense.
For what it's worth there were 28 guys who played in the Sugar Bowl who've already received their degrees.
With that being said...
These numbers are fluid. As example, we've had four juniors declare they are entering the draft. I do have reason to believe we'll have more move on and try their hands at the next level.
In terms of eligibility (Seniors) a rough count gives me 13 guys leaving. With those juniors, that leaves us with 17 departures at this time.
Fanning takes it to 18. If we ended the year with 85 it would leave the team with 67 returning for the 2014 season.
That 67 includes two players I feel won't be backāDickson and Kamara.
Now, as we stand today:
We have eight guys who reported for the spring semester and spring camp. Now that number is at 75 on scholly. Assuming our class is at the 25 mark for signees (who qualify and report and are on scholarshipāHolcombe won't be) we're now looking at 92 on scholarship.
(Here's one of the speculationsāwe end up with more than 25 commitments, but only 25 on scholarship.)
You've done the math. That leaves us with seven guys too many.
The one thing I can't forecast is how many guys have graduated and will choose to move on from football. Just as an example, on the defensive line alone, Orr, Love, and Ivory have all graduated and all three have eligibility remaining. Jarrick Williams in another on defense.
For what it's worth there were 28 guys who played in the Sugar Bowl who've already received their degrees.
