How will Ducks get down to 85 scholarships?

[VinnyKnuckles]

Has anyone looked at the scholarship situation? I am counting 88 players projected to be on scholarship next season, and that is without counting either Gaines or Tuinei. Let's assume they both get in, like we all hope, bringing the total to 90. How do you get down to the 85 scholarship limit from there?

Unless there are going to be some players transferring that we don't know about, or there are a few academic casualties in this recruiting class, I don't see how the coaches are going to be able to renew the conditional scholarships of Cavaille and Showalter. That would bring the number down to 88, meaning three players would need to greyshirt in order to get down to the 85 limit. Are the coaches really planning on greyshirting three players? I guess it is possible that Arden, Cole and Hawkins could all greyshirt, but it seems unlikely to me. Is it more likely there are plans for a player or two to transfer? Maybe the coaches are expecting a couple of these recruits not to qualify, despite what they say publicly?

Here are the players projected to be under scholarship, by my count. Let me know if you see anything wrong. Don't get too caught up in the positions certain players are listed under. I know they could potentially play other positions....that isn't relevant to the overall scholarship count.

QUARTERBACKS
Jeremiah Masoli
Nathan Costa
Justin Roper
Darron Thomas
Daryle Hawkins
(Total: 5, Running Total: 5)

RUNNING BACKS
LeGarrette Blount
LaMichael James
Andre Crenshaw
Remene Alston Jr.
(Total: 4, Running Total: 9)

TIGHT ENDS
Ed Dickson
Malachi Lewis
NaDerris Ward
Dion Jordan
David Paulson
Mychal Rivera
(Total: 6, Running Total: 15)

WIDE RECEIVERS
Drew Davis
Jeffrey Maehl
Jamere Holland
Chris Harper
Garrett Embry
Aaron Pflugrad
Rory Cavaille (conditional)
Blake Cantu
Diante Jackson
Braxton Lane
Nick Cole
(Total: 11, Running Total: 26)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
C.E. Kaiser
Bo Thran
Jordan Holmes
Mark Asper
Hamani Stevens
Darrion Weems
Nick Cody
Charlie Carmichael
Carson York
Everett Benyard III
Karrington Armstrong
Trevor Fox
Jamaal Burrell
(Total: 13, Running Total: 39)

CORNERBACKS
Walter Thurmond III
Talmadge Jackson III
Willie Glasper
Anthony Gildon
Chad Peppars
Will Wallace
Kenjon Barner
Scott Grady
Cliff Harris
Avery Patterson
(Total: 10, Running Total: 49)

SAFETIES
T.J. Ward
Marvin Johnson
Javes Lewis
Titus Jackson
John Boyett
Brian Jackson
(Total: 6, Running Total: 55)

LINEBACKERS
Casey Matthews
Spencer Paysinger
Eddie Pleasant
Bryson Littlejohn
Dewitt Stuckey
Brandon Hanna
Terrance Pritchett
Riley Showalter (conditional)
Tyrell Irvin
Kiko Alonso
Josh Kaddu
Boseko Lokombo
Michael Clay
(Total: 13, Running Total: 68)

DEFENSIVE ENDS
Will Tukuafu
Kenny Rowe
Brandon Bair
Terrell Turner
Dominic Glover
Zac Clark
Taylor Hart
Anthony Anderson
Keaton Arden
(Total: 9, Running Total: 77)

DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Tonio Celotto
Blake Ferras
Andrew Iupati
Terrance Montgomery
Simi Toeaina
Justin Brown
Wade Keliikipi
(Total: 7, Running Total: 84)

SPECIALISTS
Jackson Rice
Daniel Padilla
Mike Bowlin
Zach Taylor
(Total: 4, Running Total: 88)

PENDING ADDITIONS: Tyrece Gaines, Lavasier Tuinei

[OreDucks01284]

Well, Thats little bit over 85. But we might see some players get pushed out or Transfer to other school like few did last year. (Kempt, Cooper, etc)

[VinnyKnuckles]

Well, Thats little bit over 85. But we might see some players get pushed out or Transfer to other school like few did last year. (Kempt, Cooper, etc)

Yeah, but Kempt and Cooper (he wasn't under scholarship anyway) were obvious choices to hit the road, especially when Masoli was signed. There doesn't appear to be those kind of obvious transfer candidates on this roster. Maybe somebody like Chad Peppars who had some academic issues last year? I have no idea.

[ghetarr2007]

11, potentially 12 or 13 WR's sounds excessive to me.

[woundedknees]

Methinks thou dost protest too much...

Have a little faith... This is probably already well beyond the planning stages.

[VinnyKnuckles]

11, potentially 12 or 13 WR's sounds excessive to me.

I agree. Having 13 receivers under the scholarship at one time, which is what it would be if Gaines, Tuinei and Lane all make it on to the roster next season (not a given), is simply too many. That wouldn't even be counting Hawkins, who could potentially move to WR at some point. I think 11 is actually the optimum number, which is why I felt getting 3 receivers in this recruiting class would be ideal. Overloading the scholarships at a particular position like that is partly why the Ducks will have so few scholarships available to give out next year.

Hopefully the Ducks' recruiting can get to the point where they bring in consistent numbers of recruits at positions across the board each year. This will prevent having to overload on a position in a particular class since you struck out there the year or two prior, and thus prevent the subsequent mass exodus of players at a particular position when those players become seniors. A prime example of this is the offensive line this year. Six scholarship offensive linemen graduated this year, which is far more than ideal. There are going to be a few more question marks on the offensive line next season than one would like because of it. Greatwood has acknowledged this is a problem and has mentioned that he wants to break the cycle of overloading on offensive linemen in an individual class so it is more evenly distributed across all the classes. It is ridiculous that the Ducks won't have a single scholarship offensive lineman that is a senior on the roster next year.

[duck55]

11, potentially 12 or 13 WR's sounds excessive to me.

Thats funny, a week ago we didn't have enough WR's and many said our coaches really blew it . Now look @ the #'s .

[ARGHimaPirate]

This is kind of rough, It looks like the only way to get to 85 is by having 3 guys greyshirt. I dont really see anyone leaving.

[duckfan96]

I guess no seniors on the O line just means great experience in a couple of years.

[jhopduck]

Don't forget to save room for Bryce Brown!

[SuperDuck]

Do you think Aaron Pflugrad might be gone because of his Dad's situation? That would be pretty cold of the coaches to do that.

[ducksrock]

That's gotta be the plan..Dump 6 WR and sign BB up...NOW, it ALL makes sense...
The Sun,The Moon, and The Stars are all aligned....lol

[ducksrock]

Do you think Aaron Pflugrad might be gone because of his Dad's situation? That would be pretty cold of the coaches to do that.

Nah, I dont see that happening..And, I thot I heard somewhere that Coach Pflu was being added to the AD staff....

[ducksrock]

BTW Vinney, that is one Hell of a listing....I, for one, am favorably impressed...lol

[scaredhitless08]

what about some potential greyshirts? cole, hawkins, and arden?