2020 FB Recruiting & Roster

2021 Top Targets (25) | Commits (3) | Offers
Official Visits | Announcements | Decommits
(Commits bold | Early signees ^ / enrollees *)

Feb.1 Junior Day Visitors

Quarterbacks (1)
4* QB Drake Maye 6-5/210 NC hudl

Running Backs (1-2)
5* RB Camar Wheaton 5-11/190 TX hudl
5* AP Will Shipley 5-11/198 NC hudl
4* RB LJ Johnson 5-10/204 TX hudl
4* RB Donovan Edwards 5-11/190 MI hudl
4* RB Brandon Campbell 5-10/190 TX hudl

Wide Receivers (3-4)
5* WR Agiye Hall 6-3/190 IMG/FL hudl
5* WR Troy Franklin 6-2/170 CA hudl
5* Ath Emeka Egbuka 6-1/190 WA hudl
4* WR Ketron Jackson 6-1/175 TX hudl
4* WR Quaydarius Davis 6-0/193 TX hudl
4* WR Mario Williams 5-10/165 FL hudl
4* WR Jacorey Brooks 6-3/185 FL hudl
5* WR Chris Hilton 5-11.5/169 LA hudl
4* WR Brian Thomas Jr. 6-4/185 LA hudl
4* WR JoJo Earle 5-9/170 TX hudl
4* WR Quincy Brown 6-3/175 LA hudl
4* WR Destyn Pazon 6-0/170 LA hudl
3* WR Troy Stellato 6-0/172 FL hudl

Tight Ends (1-2)
4* TE Hudson Wolfe 6-6/235 TN hudl
4* TE Jermaine Terry 6-4/243 CA hudl
4* TE Gage Wilcox 6-4/228 FL hudl
3* TE Devon Martin 6-5/240 TX hudl

Offensive Line (5)
5* OT Amarius Mims 6-7/295 GA hudl
5* OT Tommy Brockermeyer 6-6/283 TX hudl
4* OT Wyatt Milum 6-6/273 WV hudl
4* OT Kingsley Suamataia 6-5/280 UT hudl
3* OL Noah Josey 6-5/280 TN hudl
4* OL Terrence Ferguson 6-4/300 GA hudl
4* OL Kam Dewberry 6-4/300 TX hudl
4* OL Jaeden Roberts 6-4.5/338 TX hudl
4* OL Micah Morris 6-4/316 GA hudl
4* OC James Brockermeyer 6-3/255 TX hudl

Defensive Line (3-4)
4* DT Tim Keenan 6-2/340 AL hudl
5* DT Maason Smith 6-4/316 LA hudl
4* DL Katron Evans 6-4/320 MD hudl
4* DL Damon Payne 6-3.5 297 MI hudl
5* DL Lee Hunter 6-5/292 AL hudl AU
4* DL Tyleik Williams 6-3/295 VA hudl
5* DE Tunmise Adeleye 6-3/260 TX hudl
4* DE Monkell Goodwine 6-4/264 MD hudl
4* DE JC Latham 6-5.5/285 IMG/WI hudl
4* DE Shemar Turner 6-3.5/260 TX hudl

Linebackers (4-5)
4* ILB Kendrick Blackshire 6-2/250 TX hudl
4* LB Deontae Lawson 6-3/214 AL hudl
5* OLB Dylan Brooks 6-5/225 AL hudl
4* OLB Jeremiah Williams 6-4/220 AL hudl
4* ILB Branden Jennings 6-3/220 FL hudl
4* LB Ian Jackson 6-1/208 AL hudl
4* ILB Aaron Willis 6-0/200 MD hudl
4* OLB Travion Ford 6-4/205 MO hudl
3* OLB Keanu Koht 6-4/224 FL hudl

Defensive Backs (4-5)
4* Ath Xavian Sorey 6-3/214 FL hudl
4* S/CB Terrion Arnold 6-2/187 FL hudl
4* CB Latrell McCutchin 6-1/176 TX hudl
5* CB Ga'Quincy McKinstry 6-0/175 AL hudl
4* CB Jordan Hancock 6-0/170 GA hudl
4* CB Jaylin Davies 6-0/165 CA hudl
4* CB Andre Turrentine 6-0/180 TN hudl
4* S Derrick Davis Jr. 6-1/194 PA hudl
5* S James Williams 6-5/218 FL hudl
4* S/CB Kaine Williams 6-1/186 LA hudl
5* CB Tony Grimes 6-0/180 VA hudl
4* CB Markevious Brown 6-0/170 IMG/FL hudl

Specialists

2019 Recruiting Class (28) | Megathread
(Signees bold | Early signees^/enrollees*)

Offensive Backs (4)
4* QB Taulia Tagovailoa 5-11/210 AL hudl * 5
4* QB Paul Tyson 6-4.5/217 AL hudl * 15
5* RB Trey Sanders 6-0/215 IMG/FL hudl ^ 26
4* RB Keilan Robinson 5-9.5/186 DC hudl 2

Receivers & Tight Ends (2)
4* WR/DB John Metchie 6-0/195 NJ hudl * 8
4* TE/WR Jahleel Billingsley 6-4/228 IL hudl ^ 19

Offensive Line (6)
5* OT Evan Neal 6-7.5/360 IMG/FL hudl * 73
4* OT Amari Kight 6-6.5/315 AL hudl * 78
4* OL Pierce Quick 6-5/291 AL hudl * 72
4* OL Tanner Bowles 6-5/280 KY hudl * 51
4* OC Darrian Dalcourt 6-3/290 MD hudl * 71
5* OL Landon Dickerson 6-5/310 grad-FSU 69

Defensive Line (6)
4* DT DJ Dale 6-3/314 AL hudl * 94
4* DT Ishmael Sopsher 6-4/334 LA hudl 95
4* DL Byron Young 6-3/295 MS hudl 47
5* DE Antonio Alfano 6-4/285 NJ hudl * 56
4* DE Justin Eboigbe 6-5/294 GA hudl * 92
4* DE Braylen Ingraham 6-4/291 FL hudl ^ 52

Linebackers (4)
4* ILB Shane Lee 6-0/243 MD hudl * 35
4* ILB Christian Harris 6-1/235 LA film ^ 8
4* OLB Kevin Harris 6-4/222 GA hudl * 44
4* OLB King Mwikuta 6-5/240 GA hudl ^ 30

Defensive Backs (5)
4* S DeMarcco Hellams 6-1/203 MD hudl ^ 29
4* S/CB Jordan Battle 6-1/187 FL hudl ^ 9
4* CB/S Brandon Turnage 6-1/185 MS hudl ^ 14
4* CB Jeffery Carter 6-0/185 TX hudl * 11
4* CB Marcus Banks 6-0/170 TX hudl ^ 26

Specialists (1)
3* K/P Will Reichard 6-1/185 AL hudl * 16

Key Walk-ons
0* TE Richard Hunt 6-7/232 TN hudl PWO
0* P/K Tylan Perine 6-1/195 AL hudl PWO
0* P Jack Martin 6-0/176 AL hudl PWO

Note: Jersey numbers listed on far right.

How 2019's class counted against NCAA limits:
Bama added 28 total counters in the 2019 cycle (including grad transfer Landon Dickerson), but only 23 counted as 2019-cycle signees and initial counters. Paul Tyson and Will Reichard received voluntary withdrawal replacement scholarships that don't count toward the 25 signing and initial counter limits, only the 85 total counters limit. So, Bama really only needed 26 signing and inital counter spots instead of 28. Bama was also able to count three 2019-class early enrollees against unused 2018-cycle spots (see next post). Thus, only 23 of the 2019-cycle's 25 spots were used, leaving two unused spots that 2020-cycle early enrollees can use (additional explanation).

2020 Projected Roster (85-man) * = redshirt
Bold names = potential additional departures
(Update notes below | 2019 Roster next post)

Quarterback (4)
SR: None
JR: M Jones*
SO: T Tagovailoa
FR: P Tyson*, B Young

Running Back (6-7)
SR: N Harris, B Robinson
JR: None
SO: K Robinson
FR: T Sanders*, McClellan, R Williams, Edwards

Wide Receiver (9-10)
SR: D Smith
JR: J Waddle, C Townsend*, T Shavers*
SO: X Williams*, S Bolden*, J Metchie
FR: T Jones-Bell, T Holden, J Baker

Tight End (6-8)
GR: Carl Tucker**
SR: M Forristall*, G Amos*
JR: M Tennison*
SO: J Billingsley, C Latu*, M Parker*
FR: C Clark

Offensive Line (13-15)
SR: L Dickerson*, A Leatherwood, D Brown*,
SR: C Owens*
JR: K Randolph*
SO: E Neal, E Ekiyor, T Brown*, D Dalcourt
FR: T Bowles*, P Quick*, A Kight*, J Cohen,
FR: S McLaughlin, D George

Defensive Line (12)
SR: None
JR: L Ray*, P Mathis*
SO: Wynn*, Barmore*, Dale, Eboigbe, Young
FR: I Sopsher*, B Ingraham*, J Latham
FR: T Smith, J Burroughs

Inside Linebacker (7-9)
GR: J McMillon**
SR: None
JR: D Moses*, A Kaho, M Benton*, J Moody
SO: C Harris, S Lee
FR: D Kennedy, J Bratton

Outside Linebacker (8-9)
SR: B Davis*
JR: C Allen*
SO: J Parks*, K Mwikuta
FR: K Harris*, C Braswell, W Anderson,
FR: D Sanders, Q Robinson

Safety (7)
SR: None.
JR: Wright*
SO: J Battle, D Hellams, E Smith*
FR: B Branch, M Moore, K Story

Cornerback (8)
SR: None
JR: P Surtain, J Jobe, R Williams
SO: J Armour-Davis*, M Banks
FR: J Carter*, Turnage*, J Robinson

Specialists (2-4)
SR: T Fletcher
JR: J Bulovas*, S DeLong
SO: None
FR: W Reichard*

Total: 82 (Dec) - 13 depart + 13 enroll = 82 (Jan)

The above breakdown (93 listed) includes all 26 signed 2020-class enrollees (13 Jan + 13 June with grad transfer TE Tucker). Alabama had 27 available 2020-cycle signing spots, but 10 more graduation and transfer departures are needed to fit 13 more summer enrollees within the 85 limit.

Update notes:
Roster situation entering 2020 offseason
Official Roster: H Brannon & N Knott not listed; apparently on medical hardship scholarships.
15 Bama football players graduate in Dec. 2019.
CB Scooby Carter portal; CNS; tweet; staying.
ILB Joshua McMillon medical redshirt; staying.
ILB Dylan Moses staying.
OL Alex Leatherwood staying.
OL Jedrick Wills to NFL draft.
WR Jerry Jeudy to NFL draft.
S Xavier McKinney to NFL draft.
QB Tua Tagovailoa to NFL draft.
WR Henry Ruggs to NFL draft.
WR DeVonta Smith staying.
RB Najee Harris staying.
RB Jerome Ford enters portal; commits to Cincy.
OL Scott Lashley enters portal; commits to MSU.
DB Nigel Knott enters portal.
TE Carl Tucker commits to Bama.

2018 ROSTER (85-man) * = redshirt
(Updates noted below; 2018 thread)

Quarterback (3)
SR: None
JR: Jalen Hurts
SO: Tua Tagovailoa
FR: Mac Jones*

Running Back (6)
SR: Damien Harris, Ronnie Clark*
JR: Josh Jacobs
SO: Najee Harris, Brian Robinson
FR: Jerome Ford

Wide Receiver (10)
SR: Derek Kief*, Xavian Marks
JR: None
SO: Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Henry Ruggs III
FR: Tyrell Shavers*, Chadarius Townsend*, Jaylen Waddle, Xavier Williams, Slade Bolden

Tight End (6)
SR: Hale Hentges
JR: Irv Smith Jr.
SO: Miller Forristall*, Major Tennison, Kedrick James
FR: Michael Parker

Offensive Line (16)
SR: Ross Pierschbacher*, Lester Cotton, Joshua Casher*
JR: Jonah Williams, Matt Womack*, Richie Petitbon*, Elliot Baker*
SO: Deonte Brown*, Scott Lashley*, Chris Owens*, Alex Leatherwood, Jedrick Wills
FR: Kendall Randolph*, Hunter Brannon*, Emil Ekiyor, Tommy Brown

Defensive Line (9)
SR: Isaiah Buggs, Johnny Dwight*
JR: Raekwon Davis, Tevita Musika
SO: Quinnen Williams*, LaBryan Ray
FR: Phidarian Mathis*, Stephon Wynn, Christian Barmore

Inside Linebacker (6)
SR: None
JR: Mack Wilson, Joshua McMillon*
SO: Dylan Moses,
FR: Markail Benton*, Jaylen Moody, Brandon "Ale" Kaho

Outside Linebacker (9)
SR: Christian Miller*, Jamey Mosley*
JR: Anfernee Jennings*, Terrell Lewis
SO: Christopher Allen, Ben Davis*
FR: Jarez Parks, Eyabi Anoma, Cameron Latu

Safety (7)
SR: None
JR: Deionte Thompson*, Jared Mayden, Keaton Anderson*
SO: Xavier McKinney, Daniel Wright
FR: Kyriq McDonald*, Eddie Smith

Cornerback (8)
SR: DJ Lewis
JR: Trevon Diggs, Shyheim Carter, Saivion Smith
SO: Nigel Knott*
FR: Patrick Surtain Jr., Josh Jobe, Jalyn Armour-Davis

Specialists (4)
SR: None
JR: None
SO: Thomas Fletcher, Scott Meyer*
FR: Joseph Bulovas*, Skyler DeLong

Note: As of Feb 7, UA has 85 scholarship players signed for the 2018 season. Any scholarships for potential transfers (QB, DL, LB) or grad transfer kicker Austin Jones (PWO) will require attrition (e.g., graduating RS SRs who rarely play). But it's doubtful that Austin Jones will get a scholarship because it would cost UA an initial counter spot.

quote:

---

Andrew Bone @AndrewJBone
JuCo DL Tevita Musika signs with #Alabama. He is a member of the 2018 class. He visited Alabama this past weekend. He measured 6-foot-2, 340-pounds. Crimson Tide adds some beef on the thin defensive front.
12:09 pm · Mar 28, 2018

---

>>> DT Tevita Musika 6-1/338 (Juco/CA) hudl

05/01: Report: Dallas Warmack to transfer from UA after graduation (BamaOnLine)
Note: Warmack's exit makes room for Tevita Musika within the 85 total scholarships limit.

05/08: Report: Reserve OL Brandon Kennedy to transfer from Alabama (BamaOnLine)
Note: Kennedy's exit puts UA's 2018 roster at 84 players on scholarship.

05/25: Alabama lands 2018 QB Layne Hatcher (BamaOnLine)
Note: Hatcher did not receive a scholarship.

07/10: Bama signee Jordan Davis going JUCO route (BamaOnLine)
Note: Davis not enrolling keeps UA's 2018 roster at 84 players on scholarship.

07/09: Alabama dismisses VanDarius Cowan for 'violation of team rules' (BamaOnLine)
Note: Cowan's exit puts UA's 2018 roster at 83 players on scholarship.

07/18: Alabama LB Keith Holcombe will not be a part of 2018 team (BamaOnLine)
Note: Holcombe's departure puts UA's roster at 82 players on scholarship.

08/08: Former 5-star LB Brandon "Ale" Kaho headed to Alabama (BOL)
Note: Kaho puts UA's 2018 roster at 83 players on scholarship.

08/24: Walk-ons Scott Meyer (LS) and DJ Lewis (CB) awarded scholarships -- likely for one year.
Note: Meyer & Lewis put UA's 2018 roster at 85 players on scholarship.

08/27: Alabama releases official depth chart before 2018 season (BamaOnLine)

09/05: Alabama football ranks among national leaders in graduates (BamaOnLine)
Note: 11 scholarship players have degrees.

12/12: UA reserve offensive lineman Richie Petitbon plans to transfer (al.com)

12/14: Alabama football players make up half of UA's winter graduates (BamaOnLine)
Note: 13 scholarship players graduated in Dec.

01/09: 2018 Roster thread tracking early departures to NFL

01/10: Alabama's season-long participation chart, redshirt candidates (BamaOnLine)

01/10: 2019 CFB Transfer Portal

NCAA Bylaws: Signing and Counter Limits

NCAA Bylaws sections concerning FBS signing and counter limits are posted below. Although the basic 25/85 (initial/total) scholarship limits are fairly common knowledge, there are common misconceptions about them too. So, here are seven important things to understand:

1) Transfers (all types) do count toward annual signee and initial counter limits. There's nothing in the Bylaws stating that transfers are exempt. 15.5.1.10.1 states that prospective student-athletes and student-athletes (all-inclusive) do count toward the signing limit. 15.02.3 defines "counter" as an individual (all-inclusive) who is on a countable scholarship. 15.02.3.1 defines “initial counter” as a counter (all-inclusive) who is receiving an initial countable scholarship.

2) Non-qualifiers who signed an NLI still count against their original signee spot and then count against the corresponding initial counter spot at that school if/when they enroll there after JUCO.

3) Grayshirts (15.5.6.3.2) — Deferred enrollees (after fall term) may count toward signing and initial counter limits for the next academic year.

4) Blueshirts (15.5.6.3.4) — The signings limit (effective for the 2018 cycle) ends the ability for non-recruited (no OV, no off-campus meeting, no NLI; 15.02.8) players to receive fall scholarships (within the 85 limit) and count toward the next year's initial counters limit because they'll count toward the current academic year's signing limit (post explaining potential blueshirting loophole).

5) Early enrollees (15.5.6.3.5) that are midyear replacements for December or prior academic year graduates may be counted against unused prior-cycle signee and initial counter spots. FBS schools may only use the midyear replacement option if they had 85 counters in the fall term.

6) Non-athletic aid (15.5.6.3.7) — A recruited player (OV, off-campus meeting or NLI; 15.02.8) on non-athletic scholarship only counts toward initial and total limits if/when he plays in a game. Exception (15.5.1.2.1) — A recruited player on academic scholarship, after one year with a 3.0/4.0 GPA, may then play and remain a non-counter. Apparently, a non-recruited player on non-athletic aid may play as a non-counter.

7) Voluntary Withdrawal (15.5.6.4.1) — This Bylaws section is at the end of the next post, followed by two posts explaining how voluntary withdrawal replacement scholarships can be given to new recruits to avoid them counting against annual signing and inital counter limits.

Helpful articles: Asking for NLI Release - FAQs;
A deep dive inside the NCAA's tweaked 25-man signing limit; Q&A on 25-Signing Cap, Transfers, Walk-ons, more; What is an academic redshirt?; How is academic redshirt certification different than competition certification?; When College Coaches Can Contact High School Athletes; The facts about “guaranteed” multi-year NCAA DI scholarships

NCAA Bylaws: (PDF - free download)

15.02.3 Counter. A “counter” is an individual who is receiving institutional financial aid that is countable against the aid limitations in a sport.

15.02.3.1 Initial Counter. An “initial counter” is a counter who is receiving countable financial aid in a sport for the first time. (See Bylaw 15.5.6.3 in football for instances in which the institution is permitted to defer the counting of such financial aid until the following academic year.)

15.02.8 Recruited Student-Athlete. For purpose of Bylaw 15, a recruited student-athlete is a student-athlete who, as a prospective student-athlete: (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)
(a) Was provided an official visit to the institution’s campus;
(b) Had an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with a member of the institution’s coaching staff (including any such encounter with the prospective student-athlete’s parents, relatives or legal guardians); or
(c) Was issued a National Letter of Intent or a written offer of athletically related financial aid by the institution for a regular academic term.

15.5.1.10.1 Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Signings. [FBS] For the football bowl subdivision, there shall be an annual limit of 25 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and student-athletes who may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time. (Revised: 4/26/17 effective 8/1/17 for signings that occur on or after 8/1/17)

15.5.1.10.1.1 Application. [FBS] A prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or an institutional offer of financial aid or student-athlete who signs a financial aid agreement that specifies financial aid will be initially provided in the fall term of an academic year shall count toward the annual limit on signings for that academic year. A prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or an institutional offer of financial aid or student-athlete who signs a financial aid agreement that specifies financial aid will be initially provided during the second or third term of the academic year may count toward the limit for that academic year or the next academic year. (Revised: 4/26/17 effective 8/1/17 for signings that occur on or after 8/1/17)

15.5.1.10.1.2 Exception—Agreement After One Year. [FBS] A student-athlete who has been in residence at the certifying institution for at least one academic year may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time without counting toward the annual limit on signings. (Adopted: 4/26/17 effective 8/1/17 for signings that occur on or after 8/1/17, Revised: 4/25/18 effective 8/1/18)

15.5.1.10.1.3 Exception—Incapacitating Injury or Illness. [FBS] A prospective student-athlete or student-athlete who, prior to participation in athletically related activities, becomes injured or ill to the point that he or she apparently never again will be able to participate in intercollegiate athletics shall not count toward the institution’s annual limit on signings. (Adopted: 4/26/17 effective 8/1/17 for signings that occur on or after 8/1/17)

The NCAA Bylaws concerning how players are counted against the 25 initial counters and 85 total counters limits are in the next post.

NCAA Bylaws:

15.5.6 Football Limitations.

15.5.6.1 Bowl Subdivision Football. [FBS] There shall be an annual limit of 25 on the number of initial counters (per Bylaw 15.02.3.1) and an annual limit of 85 on the total number of counters (including initial counters) in football at each institution. (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 12/15/06)

15.5.6.3 Initial Counters—Football (Also see Bylaw 15.02.3.1).

15.5.6.3.1 Recruited Student-Athlete Entering in Fall Term, Aided in First Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution who enters in the fall term and receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) during the first academic year in residence shall be an initial counter for that year in football. Therefore, such aid shall not be awarded if the institution has reached its limit on the number of initial counters prior to the award of institutional financial aid to the student-athlete.(Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.2 Recruited Student-Athlete Entering After Fall Term, Aided in First Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution who enters after the first term of the academic year and immediately receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) shall be an initial counter for either the current academic year (if the institution’s annual limit has not been reached) or the next academic year. The student-athlete shall be included in the institution’s total counter limit during the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.3 Recruited Student-Athlete, Aid Received After First Year. [FBS/FCS] A recruited student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8) (including a student-athlete who was not a qualifier) who first receives athletically related financial aid after the student-athlete’s first academic year in residence shall be an initial counter for that academic year in which the aid is first received, if such aid is received during the fall term. However, such a student athlete who first receives athletically related financial aid in the second or third term of an academic year may be considered an initial counter during the academic year in which aid was first received or the next academic year. In either case, the student-athlete shall be included in the institution’s total counter limit during the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/3/06, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.4 Nonrecruited Student-Athlete Receiving Institutional Financial Aid. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete not recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) by the institution who receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) after beginning football practice becomes a counter but need not be counted as an initial counter until the next academic year if the institution has reached its initial limit for the year in question. However, the student-athlete shall be considered in the total counter limit for the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.5 Midyear Replacement. [FBS/FCS] A counter who graduates at midyear or who graduates during the previous academic year (including summer) may be replaced by an initial counter, who shall be counted against the initial limit either for the year in which the aid is awarded (if the institution’s annual limit has not been reached) or for the following academic year, or by a student-athlete who was an initial counter in a previous academic year and is returning to the institution after time spent on active duty in the armed services or on an official religious mission. In bowl subdivision football, an institution may use the midyear replacement exception only if it previously has provided financial aid during that academic year to the maximum number of overall counters (85 total counters). In championship subdivision football, an institution may use the midyear replacement exception only if it previously has provided financial aid during that academic year that equals the maximum number of overall equivalencies or overall counters. (Revised: 4/20/99 effective 8/1/99, 6/8/99, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 8/2/05, 12/15/06, 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08, 4/2/10, 1/15/11)

15.5.6.3.6 Aid First Awarded After Second Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who has been in residence at the certifying institution for at least two academic years may receive athletically related financial aid for the first time without such aid counting as an initial award, provided the aid falls within the overall grant limitation. (Adopted: 1/11/89, Revised: 1/10/90 effective 8/1/90)

15.5.6.3.7 Recruited Student-Athlete, Varsity Competition. [FBS/FCS] In accordance with Bylaw 15.5.1.2, a recruited student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8) receiving institutional financial aid certified as having been granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability becomes an initial counter in the first academic year in which the student-athlete competes on the varsity level. (See Bylaw 15.5.1.2.1.) (Revised: 10/27/05 effective 8/1/06, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.8 Returning Two-Year Transfer. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who previously was an initial counter and who transferred to a two-year college shall not be an initial counter upon return to the original institution.

15.5.6.3.9 Delayed Initial Counter Who Does Not Return to School. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who receives countable financial aid but whose status as an initial counter under this bylaw is delayed until the following academic year shall be counted against the initial limit the following academic year, regardless of whether the student-athlete reports for participation or attends the institution in that academic year.

15.5.6.4 Exceptions.

15.5.6.4.1 Voluntary Withdrawal. [FBS/FCS] An institution may replace a counter who voluntarily withdraws from the football team by providing the financial aid to another student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the football squad. For this replacement to occur, the counter must withdraw prior to the first day of classes or before the first game of the season, whichever is earlier, and provide the institution with a signed statement releasing the institution from its obligation to provide institutional financial aid and verifying the voluntary nature of the withdrawal. The institution may immediately (beginning with the fall term) award the financial aid to a student-athlete who has been a member of the team for at least one academic year and has not previously received athletically related financial aid. A student-athlete who has not been a member of the team for at least one academic year may not receive the financial aid during the fall term, but may receive it in a following term (e.g., spring semester, winter quarter). (Revised: 4/28/05 effective 8/1/05)

Explanation of 15.5.6.4.1 Voluntary Withdrawal:

This exception rule does allow a replacement scholarship (that doesn't count against signing and initial counter limits) if a player voluntarily withdraws from the team. But it does not allow the replacement scholarship to be immediately provided to a new incoming recruit or transfer.

A replacement player must already be a member of the team enrolled without a scholarship before he can receive a replacement scholarship; i.e., he must be a walk-on. Also, if a recruit has already signed an NLI or aid agreement, he will count toward the signings limit for the academic year in which he initially receives financial aid.

That's why Paul Tyson didn't sign an NLI or aid agreement before enrolling. Instead he practiced with the team in December, probably paid his own way as a walk-on for the very short miniterm that's during the break between the fall and spring semesters, and then got the replacement scholarship for the regular full spring semester.

Will Reichard also didn't sign, but he enrolled in January, so he probably paid his way as a walk-on for the short spring-1 term and then got the replacement scholarship for the spring-2 term. Bama offers some courses that way.

A summer enrollee replacement player (e.g., Michael Parker) can also establish walk-on status quickly and cheaply by paying his own way for a short summer-1 or -2 miniterm.

It's also important to understand that the two guys Tyson and Reichard replaced voluntarily withdrew from the team before the prior fall term classes and playing season started. Per the rule, Tyson and Reichard could receive replacement scholarships after that fall term without having been on the team as a walk-on for a full year.

Since some players have withdrawn from the team and transferred to other schools during the spring and summer of 2019, Bama may be able to take advantage of this exception rule again with a couple of 2020-cycle recruits.

(no message)

Imo, an 8-team playoff doesn't really solve any problems. If anything, it causes more. Here's a simple way to significantly improve in-season competition determining who gets in the CFP:

3 schedule criteria to qualify for the FBS CFP:
1. Must schedule 9 in-conference teams.
2. G5 team must schedule 3 P5 teams.
3. Must not schedule any FCS teams.
Not mandatory for all teams; only required to qualify for CFP. Teams with no real shot at CFP could still schedule weaker teams (including FCS) to improve chances of bowl eligibility.

Here's another good alternative: FBS-2 division for G5-level teams with it's own CFP. No cross-division games among FBS-1, FBS-2 and FCS.

Scholarship Distr. - Updates Needed (STILL)

HE GONE - E. Anoma
Red-shirt - N. Knott (medical)

OT > OC - S. McLaughlin
OG > OC - L. Dickerson
OT > OG - P. Quick
OT > OG - T. Bowles
OG > OT - E. Neal
OG > OT - J. Jones

DT > DE - P. Mathis
DT > DE - C. Barmore
DT > DE - J. Latham

CB > S_ - M. Moore
S_ > CB - B. Turnage

ATH > OLB - D. Sanders