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.