Braun frustrated by impending roster limits

[lou v]

My story.

Braun frustrated by potential impact of impending roster limits

Northwestern head coach David Braun is facing some tough decisions with the expected 105-man roster limit.

northwestern.rivals.com

 

[stpaulcat]

"It was a warm and sunny day la long, long time ago, when my parents bought me my first typewriter......"

 

[CMcCat]

This is a great story, Lou, but we need to just call the question. NU is not going to be competitive in the NIL era for reasons well described. Very sad to acknowledge as a longtime fan like me. But, as they say, Queacumque Sunt Vera…

 

[CatManTrue]

My story.

Braun frustrated by potential impact of impending roster limits

Northwestern head coach David Braun is facing some tough decisions with the expected 105-man roster limit.

northwestern.rivals.com

I’m as sensitive to these cuts as anyone.

But, a counterpoint: Nebraska used to have like 150 players on their roster during their heyday (and still might for all I know), and abused the walk on system in a way.

105 players seems fine. 85 on scholarship plus 20 walkons.

Only 11 guys can play at one time, and there’s only one ball folks. 🏈

Plus: a smart school will figure out how to make those players who can’t play roles in the film room or on the field / staff like NU’s staff did for Fitz’s kid.

 

[CatManTrue]

"It was a warm and sunny day la long, long time ago, when my parents bought me my first typewriter......"

I have no clue what this post is about.

But a follow-up question for @lou v : what happens if a player is injured and put on a medical redshirt?

Does that then “free up” a roster spot for one of the cut players?

 

[lou v]

I have no clue what this post is about.

But a follow-up question for @lou v : what happens if a player is injured and put on a medical redshirt?

Does that then “free up” a roster spot for one of the cut players?

That's a good question -- and one I'm sure the NCAA has provided little to no guidance about.

 

[prez77]

Someone enlighten me. Beyond following the rules, I don't get how it would advantage any program to have more than 20 walk-ons. The likelihood that there is a player that would alter a team's fortunes among the players "ranked" 106-plus is very small. It's rare enough that walk-ons among the 20 become starters. If a program wants to give players "106-plus" equipment, pick up their insurance, and have them participate in practice, I don't see what difference it makes beyond what that institution wants their program to be. Especially with today's transfer rules, you couldn't possibly warehouse talent that way and it obviously wouldn't cost you scholarships.

 

[stpaulcat]

I have no clue what this post is about.

But a follow-up question for @lou v : what happens if a player is injured and put on a medical redshirt?

Does that then “free up” a roster spot for one of the cut players?

"My story...."

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Someone enlighten me. Beyond following the rules, I don't get how it would advantage any program to have more than 20 walk-ons. The likelihood that there is a player that would alter a team's fortunes among the players "ranked" 106-plus is very small. It's rare enough that walk-ons among the 20 become starters. If a program wants to give players "106-plus" equipment, pick up their insurance, and have them participate in practice, I don't see what difference it makes beyond what that institution wants their program to be. Especially with today's transfer rules, you couldn't possibly warehouse talent that way and it obviously wouldn't cost you scholarships.

Tell that to the 10-11 or we have above the 105 right now… the NCAA is eliminating the chance that another Austin, Barry or Zeke is among them.

 

[phatcat]

I'm in favor of lower roster and scholarship limits. Like maybe 60 scholarships and 70 roster spots.

And abolish overtime, playoffs and replays. And stay off my lawn

 

[lou v]

This is a great story, Lou, but we need to just call the question. NU is not going to be competitive in the NIL era for reasons well described. Very sad to acknowledge as a longtime fan like me. But, as they say, Queacumque Sunt Vera…

I don't understand your assumption that NU is not going to be competitive in the NIL era. To me, this year has shown that they can be. They signed 12 transfers, including Stone, who we know didn't come cheap. ALL of them participated in spring ball, and most of them enrolled in January, a first for NU due to a streamlined admissions process. They addressed their major needs with a QB, three OL and two WRs. The athletic department is committed to fully funding revenue sharing to the tune of $20.5M once the House Settlement is implemented.

Will they sign big-name transfers like Iamaleava or Beck? Of course not. Will they get the five-stars out of high school who command big money? No -- but they never have before, either. That doesn't mean they won't be competitive. I think they have the resources to fill needs in the portal. The question is whether they can get the right ones.

 

[CMcCat]

I don't understand your assumption that NU is not going to be competitive in the NIL era. To me, this year has shown that they can be. They signed 12 transfers, including Stone, who we know didn't come cheap. ALL of them participated in spring ball, and most of them enrolled in January, a first for NU due to a streamlined admissions process. They addressed their major needs with a QB, three OL and two WRs. The athletic department is committed to fully funding revenue sharing to the tune of $20.5M once the House Settlement is implemented.

Will they sign big-name transfers like Iamaleava or Beck? Of course not. Will they get the five-stars out of high school who command big money? No -- but they never have before, either. That doesn't mean they won't be competitive. I think they have the resources to fill needs in the portal. The question is whether they can get the right ones.

I just don’t see a “development program” being able to persist in the NIL era for very long. NU has had its ups and downs over the years and I think the current dynamics do not work in its favor.

We had an era from 1995 to the pandemic when the game enabled NU to compete. In the 70s and 80s unlimited rosters meant that other programs could stockpile players which, coupled with NU’s academic entry requirements, made it nearly imposssible for the ‘Cats to play competitive ball. Barnett worked magic, the greatest coaching performance of all time. Scholarship limits and other rules changes along with the spread meant we could play with anyone. Fitz built a program based on an identity that could be successful at the time.

Then comes NIL which isn’t just about money but exposure. Pro baseball has development programs. They are called minor league teams. Eventually, the big dogs who get NU’s developed players won’t want to pay to play NU’s developmental squad for poor TV ratings.

Maybe you are right and Braun goes on a streak of winning seasons. I don’t see it happening.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

I don't understand your assumption that NU is not going to be competitive in the NIL era. To me, this year has shown that they can be. They signed 12 transfers, including Stone, who we know didn't come cheap. ALL of them participated in spring ball, and most of them enrolled in January, a first for NU due to a streamlined admissions process. They addressed their major needs with a QB, three OL and two WRs. The athletic department is committed to fully funding revenue sharing to the tune of $20.5M once the House Settlement is implemented.

Will they sign big-name transfers like Iamaleava or Beck? Of course not. Will they get the five-stars out of high school who command big money? No -- but they never have before, either. That doesn't mean they won't be competitive. I think they have the resources to fill needs in the portal. The question is whether they can get the right ones.

Because it doesn’t fit his Chicken Little narrative.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

I just don’t see a “development program” being able to persist in the NIL era for very long. NU has had its ups and downs over the years and I think the current dynamics do not work in its favor.

We had an era from 1995 to the pandemic when the game enabled NU to compete. In the 70s and 80s unlimited rosters meant that other programs could stockpile players which, coupled with NU’s academic entry requirements, made it nearly imposssible for the ‘Cats to play competitive ball. Barnett worked magic, the greatest coaching performance of all time. Scholarship limits and other rules changes along with the spread meant we could play with anyone. Fitz built a program based on an identity that could be successful at the time.

Then comes NIL which isn’t just about money but exposure. Pro baseball has development programs. They are called minor league teams. Eventually, the big dogs who get NU’s developed players won’t want to pay to play NU’s developmental squad for poor TV ratings.

Maybe you are right and Braun goes on a streak of winning seasons. I don’t see it happening.

Like I said.

 

[prez77]

Tell that to the 10-11 or we have above the 105 right now… the NCAA is eliminating the chance that another Austin, Barry or Zeke is among them.

My position is a program should have as many walk-ons as it would like and I don't see any anti-competitive reasons not to let them. Would Austin, Barry or Zeke really have been outside the first 20 though?

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

My position is a program should have as many walk-ons as it would like and I don't see any anti-competitive reasons not to let them. Would Austin, Barry or Zeke really have been outside the first 20 though?

Maybe. Who knows? I thought Barnett was close to cutting Austin early in his career. Same for the Flyin’ Hawaiian…wasn’t he a trainer of some sort?

 

[lou v]

Maybe. Who knows? I thought Barnett was close to cutting Austin early in his career. Same for the Flyin’ Hawaiian…wasn’t he a trainer of some sort?

Chad Hanaoka was the video guy early in his career.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Someone enlighten me. Beyond following the rules, I don't get how it would advantage any program to have more than 20 walk-ons. The likelihood that there is a player that would alter a team's fortunes among the players "ranked" 106-plus is very small. It's rare enough that walk-ons among the 20 become starters. If a program wants to give players "106-plus" equipment, pick up their insurance, and have them participate in practice, I don't see what difference it makes beyond what that institution wants their program to be. Especially with today's transfer rules, you couldn't possibly warehouse talent that way and it obviously wouldn't cost you scholarships.

The tangible advantage is schools doing what they've already started to do: getting around the scholarship limit by bringing in guys, especially transfers, NOT on scholarship but paying them extra in their NIL to cover their school costs. We know Priebe, for example, was probably in this boat at Michigan this year. They saved the roster spot by making him technically a walkon while just adding an extra $75,000 to his NIL deal to pay the cost. This is a tremendous loophole to get around nay roster limitations that will now be closed.

Not saying it doesn't suck for the actual traditional walk-ons, but that's the advantage that's being ended.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I don't understand your assumption that NU is not going to be competitive in the NIL era. To me, this year has shown that they can be. They signed 12 transfers, including Stone, who we know didn't come cheap. ALL of them participated in spring ball, and most of them enrolled in January, a first for NU due to a streamlined admissions process. They addressed their major needs with a QB, three OL and two WRs. The athletic department is committed to fully funding revenue sharing to the tune of $20.5M once the House Settlement is implemented.

Will they sign big-name transfers like Iamaleava or Beck? Of course not. Will they get the five-stars out of high school who command big money? No -- but they never have before, either. That doesn't mean they won't be competitive. I think they have the resources to fill needs in the portal. The question is whether they can get the right ones.

The revenue sharing settlement is key. Certainly, schools distributing these revenues puts us in a position to be competitive. Additionally, restraining NIL to actual services being provided at a fair market value ( as best you can) helps. We should expect to be competitive. I don’t buy into the excuses. NU is in a great spot!

I also believe NU has to change their approach to recruiting. There just has to be a handful of HS recruits we pay the market rate for. I currently don’t see us playing that game. How can you play in the P2 and not secure even a few top 300 recruits? We should be a top 35 team in recruiting ranking every year in an environment where we clearly have advantages over many programs that out recruit us! I don’t see the balance we need between HS recruiting and the portal.

NU definitely can be competitive and we should expect to be competitive. The resources are there. Let’s hope the knowledge of how to navigate the dynamics of 2025 exists within the program. If it’s not the leadership should be changed.

 

[FanatiCat]

The tangible advantage is schools doing what they've already started to do: getting around the scholarship limit by bringing in guys, especially transfers, NOT on scholarship but paying them extra in their NIL to cover their school costs. We know Priebe, for example, was probably in this boat at Michigan this year. They saved the roster spot by making him technically a walkon while just adding an extra $75,000 to his NIL deal to pay the cost. This is a tremendous loophole to get around nay roster limitations that will now be closed.

Not saying it doesn't suck for the actual traditional walk-ons, but that's the advantage that's being ended.

Pruebe graduated HS in Michigan so his cost of attendance is under $40K

 

[Eurocat]

My story.

Braun frustrated by potential impact of impending roster limits

Northwestern head coach David Braun is facing some tough decisions with the expected 105-man roster limit.

northwestern.rivals.com

Whatever happened to "Grey-Shirting"? Can't that be an option or am I missing something?

What Is Grey Shirting? | Athnet

Grey shirting is a recruiting term that is not as commonly used as the term redshirting. A grey shirt is an incoming college freshman who postpones his

www.athleticscholarships.net

 

[CMcCat]

Because it doesn’t fit his Chicken Little narrative.

Some see a glass as half-full. Others see a glass as half-empty. Still others see the hole in the glass.

 

[ohiovalleycat]

Even if the NCAA is going to impose a 105-man limit, I would still think it's the type of thing that they could phase in rather than abruptly implement fully like let's say going from a 125-limit in year 1 to 120 in year 2, to 115 in year 3, to 110 in year 4, and then 105 in year 5.

On the other hand, like what the 85-scholarship limit did, since the big programs can't hoard all the best walk-on players, then the middle and smaller programs might benefit from being able to get some of the better walk-ons.