Scholarship Discrepancies... Tank is running empty!

[Irish Envy]

I was just looking at our available scholarships and couldn't help but note how low we are on scholarship players compared to other programs. It really shows how necessary it was to take the class that we took last year.

2004 - 17 scholarships
2005 - 15 scholarships (18 corrected)
2006 - 28 scholarships (25 corrected, 3 early enrollments to 2005)
-----------------------------
TOTAL = 60 scholarships

As you're aware, each team is allowed to have at least 85 scholarships and must have 76.5 to retain Division I status.

2004 - 10 still with team (Chris Vaughn, Chauncey Incarnato, Brandon Nicholas transferred, John Kadous, Junior Jabbie left team, Justin Hoskins, Tregg Duerson left school)
2005 - 14 still with team (Joey Hiben left team)
2006 - 28 still with team
-----------------------------
TOTAL = 52 scholarships

So, of 85 available scholarships after this years seniors leave, we will only have 52 scholarship athletes on our team. We must take a full 25 players to meet the 76.5 scholarship requirement and even with a full class we'll only have 77 players on scholarship here at Notre Dame leaving 8 open slots.

Yikes.

 

[Irish Envy]

With the low numbers, I've got to wonder if we'll possibly be taking any walk-ons to help making up for depth.

 

[irishlaw77]

Good post. I see this as a real positive, as we have the opportunity to replenish our players while the program is on the upswing. It also gives a new coach the best chance to bring in kids that work in his system well. Even if it means needing to take a walk-on in the upcoming years, this is much better than not being able to reload right now.

 

[rontdtarchala]

Not to change the subject but has anyone heard anything yet...I have every sports channel available and didn't see anything....

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

it looks like we'll be seeing more seniors awarded schollies for their hard work and commitment to the team. luckily we have someone like charlie on top of things to make sure we don't get screwed. what would've happened otherwise? eep

 

[paisan78]

Member on the espn board says "inside source at the monogram club says that we have a verbal from a 5-star recruit today"

Anybody have any clue if this could be true? Obviously it's not Tyler, LOL, if true, who could it be?

 

[chrislw35]

That is a GREAT post. Go Irish

 

[Guest]

I like the fact that we can bring in some big classes the next couple of years. This way we can build something special and perhaps have a dynasty with a team full of quality from top to bottom. 2007 will be tough, but after that season I think we can have something special for at least a few years.

 

[Irish Envy]

That is a GREAT post. Go Irish

Thanks... appreciate it!

 

[BGIF]

... So, of 85 available scholarships after this years seniors leave, we will only have 52 scholarship athletes on our team. We must take a full 25 players to meet the 76.5 scholarship requirement and even with a full class we'll only have 77 players on scholarship here at Notre Dame leaving 8 open slots.

Yikes.

I believe that would be correct only if ALL the seniors left and there were no 5th year players the next season.

By my tally, we currently have 79 scholarships filled (including Cullen formerly a walk-on). Leitko will get his old scholarship back for 80. In the winter, Kadous said he planned to walk-on this summer. He's not a 5 star talent but he's not an 18 year old incoming freshman either. He's got time in the weight room and in the system. He could be awarded his old scholarship after earning it back.

The eight current 5ths years, Freeman, Fromme, Landri, Mattes, McKnight, Morton, Richardson, and Santucci, will be gone and along with the Seniors that will be out of eligibility, Abiamiri, Harris, Leitko, Ndukwe, Quinn, Samardizja.

Fifteen are eligible for a 5th year, Anastasio, Borseti, Brockington, Carlson, Cullen, Gioia, Laws, McConnell, Price, Sullivan, Mitchell Thomas, Travis Thomas, Stephenson, Wooden, Zbikowski.

Now adding 15 5th years to your base of 52 totals 67 scholarships returning or 18 to fill which I think is the number or close to the number Weis mentioned in the Signing Day press conference. Zbikowski will likely leave early for the draft. Sullivan and Laws could join him. If Burkhart wins the kicking job(s) one or both kickers might not be asked back. Some others might not be asked back/or might not qualify academically for a 5th year. Keep in mind 5th years aren't automatic at ND.

So the number could grow. Or be reduced by one if Kadous earns a scholarship.

 

[SuperBowlIVBaby]

Great analysis, BGIF. That was very enlightening. Thanks for the post.

 

[jiggafini19]

It also gives a new coach the best chance to bring in kids that work in his system well.

As long as that system isn't the West Coast Offense, giddy up.

 

[Irish Envy]

I believe that would be correct only if ALL the seniors left and there were no 5th year players the next season.

Correct.

By my tally, we currently have 79 scholarships filled (including Cullen formerly a walk-on). Leitko will get his old scholarship back for 80. In the winter, Kadous said he planned to walk-on this summer. He's not a 5 star talent but he's not an 18 year old incoming freshman either. He's got time in the weight room and in the system. He could be awarded his old scholarship after earning it back.

Certainly and possible on Kadous.

The eight current 5ths years, Freeman, Fromme, Landri, Mattes, McKnight, Morton, Richardson, and Santucci, will be gone and along with the Seniors that will be out of eligibility, Abiamiri, Harris, Leitko, Ndukwe, Quinn, Samardizja.

Correct again.

Fifteen are eligible for a 5th year, Anastasio, Borseti, Brockington, Carlson, Cullen, Gioia, Laws, McConnell, Price, Sullivan, Mitchell Thomas, Travis Thomas, Stephenson, Wooden, Zbikowski.

I see very few of those being offered back for a 5th year. Guys like Laws, Carlson, Sullivan, Thomas, Zibby and Wooden will all be taken in the draft, some very high.

Now adding 15 5th years to your base of 52 totals 67 scholarships returning or 18 to fill which I think is the number or close to the number Weis mentioned in the Signing Day press conference. Zbikowski will likely leave early for the draft. Sullivan and Laws could join him. If Burkhart wins the kicking job(s) one or both kickers might not be asked back. Some others might not be asked back/or might not qualify academically for a 5th year. Keep in mind 5th years aren't automatic at ND.

So the number could grow. Or be reduced by one if Kadous earns a scholarship.

I think we take 25, then that gives us the ability to hand out 8 more for 5th years and walk-ons. That would be optimal. We really need to have full classes for the next 2 years to get our team up to full strength IMO.

2007 could be very, very brutal.

 

[jiggafini19]

Mr. Weis mentioned in February that he'd be taking another full class of 25 in 2007, so I think he anticipates there will be room for them based on some eventual departures.

I can't see Zbikowski coming back for a 5th.