Me either...I think the reason for limiting the scholarships has more to do with saving $$ than with making sure talent is spread around.
FWIW, his is already the case (for the 85 limit). If a player is unable to continue playing football, he can keep his scholarship and not count against the 85 limit.
I guess I look at it this way. It is better to be over prepared than under prepared. Does it make it right for these kids, no, but as has been pointed out, most are well aware of the situation they are signing on to.
It is apparent that this happens alot in college football. It's almost like the kids may know it could happen to them. Not trying to justify it, but just saying that it's probably out there and known to them and maybe their parents. I'm sure the coaches would love to take all of them, but they just can't.
Re: "Les Miles is a bad guy" (link added) They anticipate a normal 15% attrition rate from injuries, transfers, and grades. By taking those 15 scholarships out of the game, they prevent schools from bringing in ringers as walk-ons with full plans to give them a vacated scholarship almost immediately.
This article appears to be based on what they are saying on this website: Oversigning.com Those guys are really hammering the SEC with Miles, Saban, Nutt and others as examples of what is wrong with over signing recruits. They have a lot of numbers and stats posted that indicate the SEC is abusing the practice. They claim the SEC is treating kids like pros and annually cutting players who dont work out. They also claim coaches are breaking their promises to kids by signing them to a scholly and asking later for a grey shirt. I think these guys have a bone to pick with the SEC but I do see their point. I can see where it would appear SEC schools are treating the game like a pro sport and using kids as pawns. In our case, with Porter, its pretty clear from his comments he was expecting to be on full scholarship immediately and was not really happy about being offered a grey shirt after the fact. It will be interesting to see if anything comes of this.
and who's to blame for NCAA football going "pro"? it's the "news" corporations like ESPN, the exorbitant prices of tickets, the addition of uber-expensive suites, corporate sponsorship, the reasons are endless. NCAA football is a HUGE money maker. you can't have EVERY aspect of the game professionalized and then try to come down hard on the coaches/schools for trying to keep up on the field. it's easier for upper-tier schools to stay competitive by "playing by the rules," but the smaller schools... well. SOL. it's simply ridiculous, IMHO.
He was interviewed on ESPN radio in Baton Rouge yesterday. Basically he cliff notes his article. I didn't go to the link to see exactly what it said becasue in the interview he sounded like a guy just trying to get some exposure.
