The Lions' Pride

First of all, it is damn near impossible to know exactly who is on scholarship and who isn't, at least for a handful of players (which can make the difference when getting to 85).

For starters, the following players may or may not be on scholarship now or could go off in the future: McGloin, Farrell. There may be a couple others that I am not aware of.

Wedderburn is also listed, and it appears that he is gone.

FYI...

Wedderburn is one.

One of the QB's is two.

I think Yancich is three.

Already, you're at 16 there.

There are several other question marks. Some speculated names:

Curtis Dukes (transfer), Shawney Kersey (transfer), Christian Kuntz (injuries), Andrew Szczerba (injuries), and Sean Stanley (discipline/transfer).

In the end, the numbers work out and the coaches have a better idea of what's in place than we do. If they're aiming for 18, then that's the right number.

Reportedly in school and will practice with the team in the spring. Don't know if that has been officially confirmed, though.

We will need him big time, though.

Must have missed this speculation...

Why Dukes? Seems like he will get a shot to earn a lot of PT this year.

Dukes wasn't too happy being the No. 4 guy this year, he only got a few carries. There was speculation about him during the year but it appears he's back for the spring.

Obviously, I'd expect Dukes to have a much larger role in our gameplan this year. The health of Beachum will play a huge role in that. Beachum is coming off his knee injury so he will likely have some struggles in getting up to speed and to the level he was at pre-injury. I would love to see Dukes stay and see him get some meaningful carries. Are there any reports of how he is progressing, Beachum that is?

Hopefully Sean Stanley stays too.

Like 42 said, Derrick Thomas will desperately be needed in our secondary. He looked solid in the few games we saw him this year.

I have 1. I will link it when I'm not on my phone

1. Academics. I think that's been reported everywhere. He's had a tough time adding weight physically as well.

2. No idea, but both are back. I think the Bolden thing will blow over. Newsome...not sure he'll stick with football, but he might stay at PSU. Seems to be enjoying college more than being a football player. Good kid with other interests (music mainly). If he were interested in switching positions, there are several of us who would love to see him audition at safety or perhaps RB.

3. Not confirmed, just my speculation based on those I speak with. He's buried in the DC and several younger guys saw time over him this past year. Not sure where he fits in for the future when adding Hull and Royer to the mix.

4. As Sean said, he's in school. We'll find out more after spring practice, but he wants PT...now.

5. Ditto on Kersey.

6. We'll have to see if Kuntz is physically able to keep going...he's piling up the injuries. If he is, I think it would make a lot of sense to move him to the secondary, but that will have to do with a few factors. I'm sure McQueary would like him to grow into Brackett's role in the offense, but I think he makes a better safety personally.

7. Everybody says the surgery went well, including Andy. But that doesn't necessarily make me any more optimistic about his contributions. His disc issue is extremely delicate, so there's no way to properly predict what he will be capable of. If he is healthy, he will be a beast...but if spring practices don't go well, I don't think the likelihood of him playing again would be very high.

8. Stanley needs to keep his nose clean...ditto with Thomas. Both are very promising players, but Stanley was a bit of a disappointment both on and off the field this year. If they can lay off the puff, they both still have the raw talent to be very good players.

9. Sean would know, but that topic doesn't sound like it's come up at all with any of the recruits this year. If anybody, a kid like Gill would be someone in that category, but it looks like everybody will be coming in on time.

2013, he's a guy who I think would make a lot of sense.

He's my sleeper for this class. I love his vertical and how he catches the ball away from his body. He will be a beast in the redzone.