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scholarship questions

  • Is it true that we need to be down to 65 scholarships by the 2014 season? Given the size of the 2013 recruiting class, it seems like we are up to 59 players projected to return for the 2014 season. That only leave 6 scholarships for next year - one of which is already taken. Is there really any room to offer more scholarships for this current recruiting class, are we expecting a good number of players to transfer this year or go pro early next, or are we really looking at a very small recruiting class next year?

    psufan_79

  • That's been something a couple of people have noticed. Yes, there are very few scholarships left for the class of 2014. I think it's reasonable to expect some attrition during the offseason, especially since most every team has at least a couple players leave/transfer.

    This is just one of those "wait and see" times.

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    psubills62 ●

  • psufan_79 said...

    Is it true that we need to be down to 65 scholarships by the 2014 season? Given the size of the 2013 recruiting class, it seems like we are up to 59 players projected to return for the 2014 season. That only leave 6 scholarships for next year - one of which is already taken. Is there really any room to offer more scholarships for this current recruiting class, are we expecting a good number of players to transfer this year or go pro early next, or are we really looking at a very small recruiting class next year?

    Yes, 2014 will be the first year where we will have to be at 65 scholarship players.

    To be able to take 15 players, players will have to leave the program. There are a couple of kids that look like cadidates for this. Guys like Robinson and Carter are eligible for the NFL draft after next year, so they may leave early if they have good years. Then you have a kid like Brad Bars who may be encouraged not to come back for his 5th season. Also, PSU can use the NCAA sanctions for their advantage and offer some kids who probably will not contribute the ability to leave the team but keep their scholarship (which will not count against our 65). Of course, kids can also transfer at any time without penalty until fall practice starts.

    We will see... I'm willing to bet that we sign at least 12 kids in the next class.

    getmyjive11 ●

  • What everyone else said. early NFL draft kids, offseason transfers, and players just not returning.

    bonovoxpsu ●

  • That "benefit" of going off the team, but staying on scholarship (called Royering?) only works this year. It will be a struggle after that. But yes, it can work to trim this year.

    That's dangerous, because a guy like Bars is a special teams guy. We lose that ability, and starters will end up on special teams a lot more. There are unique games we will be playing, like the skinny DBs starting as CBs in rotation until they get strong enough to move inside.

    MDAlum ●

  • I'll be interested to see how many players we have leaving early for the NFL draft. PSU players rarely seemed to leave early, but now that the staff is selling their NFL experience to kids, we'll probably see a decent uptick.

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    psubills62 ●

  • MDAlum said...

    That "benefit" of going off the team, but staying on scholarship (called Royering?) only works this year. It will be a struggle after that. But yes, it can work to trim this year.

    That's dangerous, because a guy like Bars is a special teams guy. We lose that ability, and starters will end up on special teams a lot more. There are unique games we will be playing, like the skinny DBs starting as CBs in rotation until they get strong enough to move inside.

    Yeah, I share your concerns. We REALLY need to find some good walk-ons to help us on special teams. Just seeing how BOB treated the recruitment of Von Walker with a 1 on 1 sit-down with his parents, you have to think that our walk-on program is going to be pretty good.

    getmyjive11 ●

  • getmyjive11 said...

    Yes, 2014 will be the first year where we will have to be at 65 scholarship players.

    To be able to take 15 players, players will have to leave the program. There are a couple of kids that look like cadidates for this. Guys like Robinson and Carter are eligible for the NFL draft after next year, so they may leave early if they have good years. Then you have a kid like Brad Bars who may be encouraged not to come back for his 5th season. Also, PSU can use the NCAA sanctions for their advantage and offer some kids who probably will not contribute the ability to leave the team but keep their scholarship (which will not count against our 65). Of course, kids can also transfer at any time without penalty until fall practice starts.

    We will see... I'm willing to bet that we sign at least 12 kids in the next class.

    I'm with you. I'll bet we get a lot closer to 15 than 6.

    Free Agency period - Consider at least Dukes leaving - then probably a few more Nowicki/Haplea types. I also wont be surprised if we have one or two starters take off if someone gets a hold of them and convinces them they're the missing piece.

    We don't like to think about it, but there very easily could be a moo-moo or Oakman type situation happen in the off season.

    Then 5th year types if they're asked to move on if they wont contribute at all.

    PSU17 ●

  • PSU17 said...

    I'm with you. I'll bet we get a lot closer to 15 than 6.

    Free Agency period - Consider at least Dukes leaving - then probably a few more Nowicki/Haplea types. I also wont be surprised if we have one or two starters take off if someone gets a hold of them and convinces them they're the missing piece.

    We don't like to think about it, but there very easily could be a moo-moo or Oakman type situation happen in the off season.

    Then 5th year types if they're asked to move on if they wont contribute at all.

    Well, Dukes wouldn't help us out as he will be a senior next year, but I hear ya. It just takes a slimy coach to convince a 18-21 year old kid that fortune and fame awaits him at another school and he's gone. I do feel pretty good about our chances to keep these kids though (minus Dukes). Even with Belton, I have a feeling that the public doesn't know the whole story there. If he was having issues other than football, BOB isn't going to tell us.

    getmyjive11 ●

  • Correct me if I'm wrong, but Dukes is a senior next year, so him leaving wouldn't really open up another scholarship.

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    psubills62 ●

  • getmyjive11 said...

    Well, Dukes wouldn't help us out as he will be a senior next year, but I hear ya. It just takes a slimy coach to convince a 18-21 year old kid that fortune and fame awaits him at another school and he's gone. I do feel pretty good about our chances to keep these kids though (minus Dukes). Even with Belton, I have a feeling that the public doesn't know the whole story there. If he was having issues other than football, BOB isn't going to tell us.

    Good point about Dukes - I didn't think it through on him.

    PSU17 ●

  • getmyjive11 said...

    Well, Dukes wouldn't help us out as he will be a senior next year, but I hear ya. It just takes a slimy coach to convince a 18-21 year old kid that fortune and fame awaits him at another school and he's gone. I do feel pretty good about our chances to keep these kids though (minus Dukes). Even with Belton, I have a feeling that the public doesn't know the whole story there. If he was having issues other than football, BOB isn't going to tell us.

    Maybe I'm overestimating college students, but I'm hopeful that Redd's story will cause any of our players to balk before buying a bill of goods from various coaches.

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    psubills62 ●

  • psubills62 said...

    Maybe I'm overestimating college students, but I'm hopeful that Redd's story will cause any of our players to balk before buying a bill of goods from various coaches.

    I am as well and I really don't think many will take the bait, but it certainly could happen.

    getmyjive11 ●

  • The numbers game is going to have to be aged the next several years. But I personally believe that we will sign 15 every year. I think fith year seniors will be asked to leave. I also believe kids that will not be contributors will be asked to leave. The sad thing about that is our grad rate will go down. Again it's just another way the NCAA has screwed up.

    The biggest concern that I have through the Sanction years are depth obviously but I think our special teams will take the biggest hit. Unless OB decides to use starters, then that open up a whole new can of problems.

    The next several years will be interesting but I will have my blue and white on cheering my ass off

    DjHart

  • DjHart said...

    The numbers game is going to have to be aged the next several years. But I personally believe that we will sign 15 every year. I think fith year seniors will be asked to leave. I also believe kids that will not be contributors will be asked to leave. The sad thing about that is our grad rate will go down. Again it's just another way the NCAA has screwed up.

    The biggest concern that I have through the Sanction years are depth obviously but I think our special teams will take the biggest hit. Unless OB decides to use starters, then that open up a whole new can of problems.

    The next several years will be interesting but I will have my blue and white on cheering my ass off

    Very true - and i know (knock on wood) we got fairly lucky with injuries this past year but we played most of the year with only 67 scholarship guys.

    We won't have the defensive depth - but will have to score points to win.

    Nittny65 ●

  • DjHart said...

    The numbers game is going to have to be aged the next several years. But I personally believe that we will sign 15 every year. I think fith year seniors will be asked to leave. I also believe kids that will not be contributors will be asked to leave. The sad thing about that is our grad rate will go down. Again it's just another way the NCAA has screwed up.

    The biggest concern that I have through the Sanction years are depth obviously but I think our special teams will take the biggest hit. Unless OB decides to use starters, then that open up a whole new can of problems.

    The next several years will be interesting but I will have my blue and white on cheering my ass off

    I hope you are wrong. If the kids stuck it through with this team I would rather see them stay as long as they want - They showed loyalty, so should BOB. If that hurts the team a little so be it. I don't think that anyone should be asked to leave if they are a fifth yr senior that stuck with this team...

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    PSUfaninOnt

  • PSUfaninOnt said...

    I hope you are wrong. If the kids stuck it through with this team I would rather see them stay as long as they want - They showed loyalty, so should BOB. If that hurts the team a little so be it. I don't think that anyone should be asked to leave if they are a fifth yr senior that stuck with this team...

    I understand where you are coming from and I don't necessarily disagree, but if a kid has put his 4 years in and has graduated then I don't know what else the school or the coaches owe the Player. I'm not asking about the coaches cutting a sophomore because he not making it. Even the last staff would talk to guys that were thing about coming back for their fifth year. If the player is a fifth year senior and is not even going to contribute on special teams then I have no problem with the staff asking them to move on.

    It may not be fair but it's the position the NCAA has put us and our players in.

    DjHart

  • PSUfaninOnt said...

    I hope you are wrong. If the kids stuck it through with this team I would rather see them stay as long as they want - They showed loyalty, so should BOB. If that hurts the team a little so be it. I don't think that anyone should be asked to leave if they are a fifth yr senior that stuck with this team...

    but bob could tell some of these kids that there is not much of a chance they crack the starting line-up, would they really want to stick around for another year on the scout team or start their career and make money? i don't think BOB will have to force kids out, if they aren't starting, they will leave on their own.. I think we had some seniors that had some eligibility left who hung it up (mike wallace and figs come to mind)..

    BaltLions24

  • PSUfaninOnt said...

    I hope you are wrong. If the kids stuck it through with this team I would rather see them stay as long as they want - They showed loyalty, so should BOB. If that hurts the team a little so be it. I don't think that anyone should be asked to leave if they are a fifth yr senior that stuck with this team...

    Force them? No. Ask them? Maybe not in that way. But very few kids will want to come back on scouts when they can go make real money somewhere. That's part of college football. And yes even if he does push them that way, it is part of life. And yes it sucks. That said most will choose to leave. I know how hard it is to just watch kids hang on for four years, it isn't always fun to them to do it. But they just get it done.

    MTayl72 ●

  • PSUfaninOnt said...

    I hope you are wrong. If the kids stuck it through with this team I would rather see them stay as long as they want - They showed loyalty, so should BOB. If that hurts the team a little so be it. I don't think that anyone should be asked to leave if they are a fifth yr senior that stuck with this team...

    I see both sides of it. In normal times, I'm completely fine with a staff asking a 5th year guy to move on if he wont contribute at all. In these times, it hurts to ask them to move on. They did get their free education, and a masters degree or another major isn't promised. However, they did stick around. Pulls the heartstrings a bit.

    For other guys who wont contribute as long as they are here, I'm completely fine with OB telling them that straight up and letting them know that they are welcome to stay at PSU, or would be granted a transfer if they want. I think it works out for both in that way.

    This post was edited by PSU17 on 12/18/2012 at 11:27 AM

    PSU17 ●

  • Agree with all of you in so much as I think many will leave and I don't see anything wrong with BOB telling them that he does not see them on the two deep and letting them make the choice. It's hard enough with sports, school etc and if they have their degree and are ready to move on I think that most if not all will knowing they are not going to see the field. I just don't want to see 5th yr srs told they don't have a spot, I know they are not owed it under the rules but I think if they want it, they should get it. Just special circumstances for those that stayed imo.

    I didn't for a moment think that anyone here was suggesting SEC (Urbz) style 'transfers' out of the program for underclassmen.

    signature image signature image signature image

    PSUfaninOnt

  • Wouldn't the unused slots (15 max less the number actually used) be available to EE students the following year? Presumably this would be a one-time issue resulting from the need the reduce the total scholarships to 65.

    dsgtrane ●

  • dsgtrane said...

    Wouldn't the unused slots (15 max less the number actually used) be available to EE students the following year? Presumably this would be a one-time issue resulting from the need the reduce the total scholarships to 65.

    Yes. But I think you want to try to distribute them as evenly as possible. Plus, the EE requirement limits you quite in terms of selection pool size and quality.

    getmyjive11 ●

  • I understand where most of you are coming from. I think we lose more players to either leaving the team because their heart isn't in it any more "Royering" or due to injury Wallace/Hailes than the staff "asking" guys to leave. I'm sure there will be discussions with some of the 5th year seniors, but that has always been part of college sports. The issue I have with asking guys to leave because "they won't contribute on the field" is that we lose the Shane McGregors of the world. These guys, although not on the field, exemplified what it is to be PSU. They work their butts off to make sure the 2-deep guys are ready week in and week out. These young men put team and school above all else and make Penn State what we are.

    EWPSU94 ●

  • EWPSU94 said...

    I understand where most of you are coming from. I think we lose more players to either leaving the team because their heart isn't in it any more "Royering" or due to injury Wallace/Hailes than the staff "asking" guys to leave. I'm sure there will be discussions with some of the 5th year seniors, but that has always been part of college sports. The issue I have with asking guys to leave because "they won't contribute on the field" is that we lose the Shane McGregors of the world. These guys, although not on the field, exemplified what it is to be PSU. They work their butts off to make sure the 2-deep guys are ready week in and week out. These young men put team and school above all else and make Penn State what we are.

    its the situation we are in, and McGregor was never on scholarship

    Nittny65 ●

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