Not sure I understand the downside of preserving a kid's redshirt year his freshman year and then not offering him a fifth year if he doesn't pan out. Seems like a win-win to me if you don't need him on the field his freshman year.

So back to the original question. Assuming all fifth year eligible players come back next year, how many slots would ND have.  After that, which 5th year guys are unlikely to be invited back?

atlabuck wrote: Not sure I understand the downside of preserving a kid's redshirt year his freshman year and then not offering him a fifth year if he doesn't pan out. Seems like a win-win to me if you don't need him on the field his freshman year.

So back to the original question. Assuming all fifth year eligible players come back next year, how many slots would ND have.  After that, which 5th year guys are unlikely to be invited back?

I think Seattle is saying that those who have used playing time and are not likely to start would be then more likely to transfer. 

To answer your question, if all 5th years come back we are looking at 12 open scholarships. But only 5 of them will come back. So without injuries transfers 18 open. I expect ND will get 19-21. 

RT Lombard (starter)
CB Wood, S Collinsworth, and TE Welch, were all expected starters or contributors who were all hurt this year. 
As well as Chris Badger who went on a 2 year Mormon mission.

I don't know if those 5 are sure things to come back for a 5th year. We have a ton of Safetys on scholarship I doubt we bring back two 5th year guys with so much young talent at the position. Lombard is the only sure thing and if Wood is healthy and contributes (he has yet to prove himself at all) then that makes 2.

Welch also has yet to prove himself but I see our offense moving more toward the pass catching TE and the two freshman are more of that mold than him. It also depends if Koyack can show us something.

I'm also a guy that leans toward younger talent and if it had come into play only brought back Fox instead of both linebackers.

KurzND wrote:

atlabuck wrote: Not sure I understand the downside of preserving a kid's redshirt year his freshman year and then not offering him a fifth year if he doesn't pan out. Seems like a win-win to me if you don't need him on the field his freshman year.

So back to the original question. Assuming all fifth year eligible players come back next year, how many slots would ND have.  After that, which 5th year guys are unlikely to be invited back?

I think Seattle is saying that those who have used playing time and are not likely to start would be then more likely to transfer. 

To answer your question, if all 5th years come back we are looking at 12 open scholarships. But only 5 of them will come back. So without injuries transfers 18 open. I expect ND will get 19-21. 

RT Lombard (starter)
CB Wood, S Collinsworth, and TE Welch, were all expected starters or contributors who were all hurt this year. 
As well as Chris Badger who went on a 2 year Mormon mission.

KurzND wrote:

As well as Chris Badger who went on a 2 year Mormon mission.

Badger is technically entering his SO year, I believe. He retains eligibility for those two years he was gone. I'm not sure how being an EE affects his status, but at maximum he's a rising true JR.

The problem Is not only do we need them their freshmen year.  The problem Is they never reach their full potential and players younger than them end up better than they are.  Guys who stay around too long and level off too early create a log jam at the position and waste a scholly.  I love the Golics but Jake Golic was never deserving of a scholly.  That Is one scholly we could have used for the last 4 years that was tied up.  Another example would have been Crist, Mcdonald, and Ragone.  There Is three scholarships we could have used because they leveled off for whatever reason and didnt push anyone In competition.  Crist In my opinion Is the only one who earned their keep and that Is only because he was a good leader and unselfish teammate.  ND Football Isnt a charity. You get your shot but If your not going to keep up your end of the deal then you need to move along after your four years. 

atlabuck wrote: Not sure I understand the downside of preserving a kid's redshirt year his freshman year and then not offering him a fifth year if he doesn't pan out. Seems like a win-win to me if you don't need him on the field his freshman year.

So back to the original question. Assuming all fifth year eligible players come back next year, how many slots would ND have.  After that, which 5th year guys are unlikely to be invited back?