Looks like 25 hard cap is creating alot of parity in recruiting this cycle

Could be the Peyote

If anything I feel the rankings are top heavy this year.

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Bama would have 27-32 recruits per year. This levels playing field. Saban knew how to game the system. Baja will have to keep more layers that do not perform as Saban hoped. In the past he'd get rid of them, and open up more spaces.

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It also severly limits the taking of grade risks. (credit to whitefoot for my education on that)

There is no hard cap in the sense that you seem to mean. If you undersign this year, you can back fill with EEs the next year. This is the way it's been for years and that has not changed. LSU is at 25 because they used all their back fill space on the transfers and Seth Stewart, who never really showed up, counted too.

What has changed is what you count to determine the 25. From counting certain counters to counting anyone (except 2+ year walk ons) who signs a promise of or an actual scholarship whether they show up or not. Over time this means fewer signings and this is what is spreading out the talent; not the "25 hard cap."

As a side note, Bama has not signed 27+ EVERY year. Saying so is just a reflection of rule ignorance and/or ignorance of Bama's particular situation. If Bama doesn't sign 25 this year, they will almost certainly sign 25+ next year.