2026 Early Signing Day

[smith5753]

We have signed 20 players and we still have two commits but both are expected to flip.

You can sign as many as you want in a class as long as you do not exceed 105 or 85 (85 is the SEC limit).

How long will the SEC handicap itself with the 85 limit while the other power conferences sit at 105? The way we beat the living crap out of each other, especially going to 9 conference games, it would help to have the extra depth. It would also pull some talent from the other conferences.

 

[Bama Lee]

How long will the SEC handicap itself with the 85 limit while the other power conferences sit at 105? The way we beat the living crap out of each other, especially going to 9 conference games, it would help to have the extra depth. It would also pull some talent from the other conferences.

The 85 limit supposedly still allows Walk-ons. The new rule allows 105 but no walk-ons.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

The 85 limit supposedly still allows Walk-ons. The new rule allows 105 but no walk-ons.

Are they allowed 104 with unlimited walk-ons?

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

We should go to 105 as well if we're going to go to 9-game conference schedules...

 

[smith5753]

The 85 limit supposedly still allows Walk-ons. The new rule allows 105 but no walk-ons.

any idea how many walk-ons a team will typically have?

 

[CrimsonTitles]

We should go to 105 as well if we're going to go to 9-game conference schedules...

The only problem with that is you don't get any extra rev share to spend on those extra players. If we have to spread our rev share out to 20 extra players, then that's gonna degrade the overall quality of our roster a decent amount, because 20 is a lot to create money for. I think I'd rather have a slightly better 85 than a cheaper 105.

 

[rolltide_21]

I don’t follow recruiting closely. Generally look in February to see the final list. I checked On3 for the first time in a while. It said the average NIL for this year’s Bama class was $187k. Is their info accurate? It was more than a lot of “big” money schools.

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

Noooooooo! That genuinely upsets me.

Yea i agree. Hes got a ton of upside.

But we got the guy because of his price point. If that goes up you just move on.

Theres a great interview up right now that yea alabama did with Courtney Morgan and Bob welton talking with Roman Harper about managing the roster and recruiting and budgeting nil and rev share. Where they flat out say they just said goodbye and good luck when it happens

Everyone interested in recruiting should really check it out

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

How long will the SEC handicap itself with the 85 limit while the other power conferences sit at 105? The way we beat the living crap out of each other, especially going to 9 conference games, it would help to have the extra depth. It would also pull some talent from the other conferences.

Its not a handicap. Its a governor.

Whats the point in 104 on scholarship vs 85 is the extra 19 kids would have just walked on anyway?

Bama walkons are often 3 star quality kids, often walked on despite D1 offers. You will not play 104 guys, you cannot maintain a roster of 104 guys. Of 85 or 104 only some of those get rev share and nil. If 104 players are all able to get a piece of the pie, the pieces can get pretty small.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

Bryson Cooley could make his decision by tomorrow ( Thursday). Bama mods feeling good about him flipping to Bama.

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

I don’t follow recruiting closely. Generally look in February to see the final list. I checked On3 for the first time in a while. It said the average NIL for this year’s Bama class was $187k. Is their info accurate? It was more than a lot of “big” money schools.

I wouldn't trust those NIL estimation things honestly. Or honestly any number you ever hear about a players NIL, no matter how high or how low unless you see proof.

 

[bamaslammer]

It's a little concerning to see only one RB, WR, and TE signed. I think we have needs in all three of those positions. I realize you always have the portal but the portal is like a box of chocolates.

 

[BamaInBham]

It's a little concerning to see only one RB, WR, and TE signed. I think we have needs in all three of those positions. I realize you always have the portal but the portal is like a box of chocolates.

The portal is more certain than recruiting because you know what the player can do vs D1 competition vs HS competition.

 

[BamaMoon]

The portal is more certain than recruiting because you know what the player can do vs D1 competition vs HS competition.

Unfortunately, that is true. I say "unfortunately" because this allows for the football to essentially become a "one and done" for almost every team instead of building a team through traditional recruiting and development.

So, yeah, we can target guys who have proven their worth on the college level, but we are essentially adding 1-2 year players in most cases. It's not ideal, but we also must admit that the traditional route only gives you 3 years with most of the elite players anyway.

So I guess we build depth/quality through the portal and hopefully that works!

 

[TiderJack]

We should go to 105 as well if we're going to go to 9-game conference schedules...

According to AI, SEC will go to it next year.

SEC football will move to 105 scholarships beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, as part of a new NCAA rule change that took effect July 1, 2025. This change is the result of the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows FBS teams to have up to 105 players on scholarship. Previously, teams were limited to 85 full scholarships and could have up to 20 additional walk-ons.

• The new rule change is effective for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• FBS football teams will now be allowed to give out 105 scholarships, up from the previous limit of 85.
• This change is expected to reduce the number of walk-ons on the roster, as more players will be eligible for athletic scholarships.
• The change is part of the broader House v. NCAA settlement that was preliminarily approved in April 2025.

 

[TiderJack]

It's a little concerning to see only one RB, WR, and TE signed. I think we have needs in all three of those positions. I realize you always have the portal but the portal is like a box of chocolates.

It is but we had two WR's and a RB flip last minute so hard to re-coup that late in the process. We are in on WR Gash who is waiting on the late signing period but we are probably going to need to hit portal for both.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

According to AI, SEC will go to it next year.

SEC football will move to 105 scholarships beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, as part of a new NCAA rule change that took effect July 1, 2025. This change is the result of the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows FBS teams to have up to 105 players on scholarship. Previously, teams were limited to 85 full scholarships and could have up to 20 additional walk-ons.

• The new rule change is effective for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• FBS football teams will now be allowed to give out 105 scholarships, up from the previous limit of 85.
• This change is expected to reduce the number of walk-ons on the roster, as more players will be eligible for athletic scholarships.
• The change is part of the broader House v. NCAA settlement that was preliminarily approved in April 2025.

So USC is the only one taking advantage of this because they have more NIL?

 

[cthorne22]

So USC is the only one taking advantage of this because they have more NIL?

Wait for USC recruits to figure Cali cost of living is way worse than they imagined

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

I see that jorjaw has 30 now...

 

[TiderJack]

I see that jorjaw has 30 now...

As long as your total scholarships is less than 85 (or 105 next year) you can can sign as many as you want in one class.