re: Wow, Bama oversigns. Who knew?

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Wait, I thought the BIG10 was above over signing and had a rule in place to keep that from happening. But I see several who are over. Where's the outcry on that?

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That's because the oversigning narrative has primarily been dictated by the guy who runs oversigning.com. He's a big Ohio State fan and hates the SEC especially Bama and has done everything he can to convince people that oversigning only happens in the SEC giving the SEC a huge advantage over other conferences. In reality, every conference typically has several teams that oversign. The SEC might do it a little more but it is not exclusive to the SEC by a longshot.

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so is the argument to pay players outright or let them take endorsements, which I don't think is a bad idea, either

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Except they're already getting a $40K value, or more for playing in an education. If that isn't enough, they can tryout for professional football in the Arena league or the CFL. College football is akin to anyone getting a degree in their profession. They are going to school to learn their trade, for free.

The most surprising thing about this list is that schools like LSU, UF, & AU aren't even on it. I mean, I know Richt will never oversign because he is a gaylord, but you'd think some of the more recent NC contenders would be on it.

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Except they're already getting a $40K value, or more for playing in an education. If that isn't enough, they can tryout for professional football in the Arena league or the CFL. College football is akin to anyone getting a degree in their profession. They are going to school to learn their trade, for free.

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I don't disagree with you at all, except I would add that a college degree is going to be way more valuable than the tuition cost in the long run.

But if we're going to make the education the value, then shouldn't a commitment = a chance at four years? I feel like if you're always over signing, you should be telling recruits that their commitment = 60 credit hours (or however UA does credits, I don't know), and they can earn the other half on the field?

My other feeling is that given recent history, in time the NCAA or the SEC will overreact to pressure from media and other coaches calling it unfair and make new rules that that make it more stringent. Just a thought.

Oh, and thanks for the conversation, too.

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hey, you're a Colt McCoy injury, Okie St. choke, and an Aaron Murray brainfart away from ZERO NCs Alabama is more lucky than dominant

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After reading the article I read many of the comments. 90% of the comments are from Bama fans justifying the "process". I can promise you if this was Auburn oversigning and not Bama the past few years, Bama fans would be pissed.

Bama fans the numbers don't lie. right now Bama is way over the 85. When you are over 85 Schollys current NC and have the top recruiting class you are going to have a target on you. DWI

Everyone else what Saban does is not against the rules, but IMHO pretty shitty for a handful of players. Until recruits understand that this may be them or Bama stops winning, DWI.

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How long has Saban been at Bama? How many years has he recruited players to UA?

The recruits KNOW how he runs his program. the parents of the recruits KNOW how he runs his program. The high school coaches across the country KNOW how he runs his program.

The freaking media and oversigning.com have made it a point to highlight Saban's "process" every damn time the have the opportunity. The freakin SEC has placed signing limits on it's teams.

EVERYONE in the country KNOWS how Saban runs his shite. They all understand the liability they are taking by signing on to play for Bama. And still many of the most talented players in the nation actually want to take that risk.

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But if we're going to make the education the value, then shouldn't a commitment = a chance at four years? I feel like if you're always over signing, you should be telling recruits that their commitment = 60 credit hours (or however UA does credits, I don't know), and they can earn the other half on the field?

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A college football scholarship is given to you because you are pretty good at high school football. No other reason. You are getting a free education not because you are smart book wise.

Now, if you would like to get a free education you can apply for academic scholarships just like 99% of the student population does.

In both events, there is a level of performance required to maintain your free education. Performance for athletic scholarship and grades for academic scholarship. There are no free rides; it is a 2 way street.

Additionally, Saban tells all his recruits this up front BEFORE they even sign with Bama. When Christion Jones was in high school he was interviewed at a camp and was the only recruit present that knew his scholarship was only good for 1 year increments. That was because Saban told him every year there will be an evaluation as to whether the scholarship is renewed.

The players want that level of competition because it breeds:

1. higher level of performance from the group
2. your personal best as a player
3. championships as a team

Also, these players aren't just cut and dropped from the team. They are helped in transfers to teams where they can see the field, they graduate after 5 years of never seeing the field, or they graduate after being hurt to a level they aren't athletically viable.

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The most surprising thing about this list is that schools like LSU, UF, & AU aren't even on it.

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AU has signed 187 compared to 183 for Bama during Saban's six seasons (7 recruiting classes). They just can't keep them from screwing up and getting kicked out of school for grades or the law. To the media that appears to be a much more ethical way to trim your roster.

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But if we're going to make the education the value, then shouldn't a commitment = a chance at four years? I feel like if you're always over signing, you should be telling recruits that their commitment = 60 credit hours (or however UA does credits, I don't know), and they can earn the other half on the field?

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On the flip side. If they are committing a scholarship, shouldn't the player produce for it? If they don't contribute in a meaningful way on the field, shouldn't someone more deserving be given the opportunity?

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Now, if you would like to get a free education you can apply for academic scholarships just like 99% of the student population does.

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99% of the student population doesn't help generate millions of dollars in revenue.*

And I really don't disagree with you at all, I just think that you're appealing to business decisions and football decisions that benefit coaches and not the players. If you want to be fair, be fair to the kids you sign. Make their scholarships good for four years even if they get cut from the team. Make the money come from the football budget. Let the students make their own decision to transfer or stay with the school, not be forced to. The value of a degree from the University of Alabama is worth way more than a degree from a lower tier school, the same way a 4 star recruit is worth more than a 2 star recruit. Let them trade value for value.

*EDIT: Do'h - Of course they generate millions of dollars in revenue through tuition and government funds. But that's every student. The value of a good football student athlete has a much value over a replacement student.