Can we use the Alabama model and cut the fat every year to get us to 25 a class ?Of course they do have some actual talent attrition which would be great if Nebraska had that problem
Can we? Yes. Will we? Doubtful
The issue to me is multifaceted.
1- Riley doesn't seem to be a win at all costs guy.
2- there are only about 55 to 60 kids that are getting actual playing time. The rest will be practice players their whole career.
3- odds are that you will just replace under performers with more under performers.
IMHO, you could do more good by not redshirting a majority of your freshman classes. Players are coming in more physically and more mentally ready to play. If a player is great, they won't be here 4 years let alone 5, if a player is average, why do you want to give him 5 years, just replace him with another player every 4 years.
I would reserve redshirting freshman to interior linemen only. Then I would use redshirts for players who may get injured in the offseason to preserve a year if they need it.
Sign 22-25 players every year rather than 15-18. Picking from 100 players every 4 years increases the odds of finding the special talent more than picking from 80 players every 4 years. It equates to an extra recruiting class every 4 years. No brainer. But that's just me.
Edit- That gets you to the 22 to 25 that cycle out like they have at Alabama, but without the negative connotation associated with the "cutting the fat" that Alabama has.
2nd edit - I know others believe different, but just cutting the fat will get more difficult with the guaranteed 4 year scholarships, where athletic performance cannot be used as a reason to cut the player.
Last edited: