How many commitments are EE?

How do the graduating seniors and early juniors count in terms of our signing class? Can we take more than 25 this year?

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How do the graduating seniors and early juniors count in terms of our signing class?

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They make fitting this class within the 85 easier. There will probably be additional attrition.

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Can we take more than 25 this year?

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Yes, but how many depends on how you interpret the new signing rules. Someone else may know definitively, so I will just tell you why it's an issue.

You can backcount an EE as long as they fit within the current year's 85 and you have room under the 25 signing limit. Assuming they would fit under the 85, the issue is how you interpret how many were signed.

We signed 23 last year, so if that is the basis, we can only backcount 2. However, 2 failed to qualify and only 21 enrolled. If you are able to use the enrolled number as the basis, then you could backcount 4. The last that I heard, but it wasn't definitive, was that the signed number was controlling. Complicating the issue is that the two who failed to qualify (Johnson and Fanaika) should be two EEs that could be backcounted. Can they use ships that they signed for last year and therefore leave two more spots available for backcounting (4 total), or does their signings count as new and they become the only two that can be backcounted.

Last I saw the limit was 2 for a total of 27, but that interpretation could have easily been changed and I didn't see it.

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Last I saw the limit was 2 for a total of 27, but that interpretation could have easily been changed and I didn't see it.

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Dont ask me to recite the reasoning but when the season ended this was a hot topic and the number that most everyone knowledgable of the issue came up with was 29 and that may depend on who is counted in what class. Like Fanika and Johnson were already part of last years class.

Indiana Tiger thanks so much for the information! You Rock!

I agree with what Indiana Tiger says, it depends on the interpretation. The bylaw doesn't specifically state that you have to use the number of signees in the previous class, only the initial counters. Apparently LSU thinks you do, but most other schools do not. I am of the opinion LSU could take 29, assuming they could fit them all under the 85 in August. But I guess it is sort of like taxes and the IRS, you may not know for sure if your interpretation is correct unless they decide to audit you, etc.

I should also say that while I know DP has solid sources within the program, it could just be a case of him misunderstanding the way they are explaining it. He recently said phone calls aren't allowed during dead periods, and that is definitely false as the bylaw specifically states they are (although limited).

I understand what you're saying about DP. A lot of times these guys don't know enough about the subject to ask follow up questions to make sure they are getting the right answer. I can also see where compliance office may not have gotten an official interpretation from the powers that be and was only offering an opinion. Regardless DP is the only guy who at least asked someone who you would hope is authoritative on the matter.

I can see the merits of both interpretations. As written, I agree that we should be able to backcount 4. However, the SEC wrote this rule and the primary intent or consequence was to limit the signings of unqualified athletes. If that is what you want, then treating signings like initial counters makes the most sense and we would be limited to 2 backcounts.

For LSU I think the SEC is the controlling authority on this issue. You would hope that the compliance dept would effing ask and not just assume, but we'll know for sure if we sign more than 27.