Did some checking on this and here's the clarification...
- USC can have up to 32 prospects in this signing class - defined as "initial counters". Technically, the signing limit is 25 prospects but the NCAA of course has an exception by which midyear enrollees can count backwards in essence to the previous class if there was room.
- USC only had 14 initial counters in the 2014 class, and with a limit of 22 signees in 2014 that left eight open spots for 2015 that USC could count back. USC used all those slots: Ernest Hawkins, Jalen Henry, Marquavius Lewis, Christian Owens, Sherrod Pittman, Darin Smalls (think of him as a grayshirt from the 2014 class), Jerad Washington, and Dexter Wideman.
- The early enrollment financial aid papers that the high school guys signed are different from the NLIs signed by JUCO transfers Hawkins and Lewis. Under normal circumstances Hawkins and Lewis would count towards the 25 signing limit, but since they're midyear signees that be initial counters this academic year, they don't count and can be counted backwards.
- Ulric Jones signed midyear, but that was essentially nullified when he had to return to school to do more work before summer enrollment. He will sign again tomorrow and be counted in the 25 limit.
- Even though there is the 25 limit, because of the overall roster limitations, USC can only bring in a total of 32 in this class. So with eight early enrollees, that leaves 24 spots for actual signees.
- As of this writing, 21 prospects are slated to sign with USC tomorrow from the commitment list. Future JUCO placement Dennis Daley is on the commitment list, but will not sign tomorrow.
- That leaves three spots overall. Obviously one is for Rashad Fenton, who is announcing tomorrow and last we heard USC was the leader there. That would leave two for USC to "play with." The Gamecocks could hold onto both or give one or both away later. As we've said, Denzel Johnson is a guy to monitor past signing day if his academic situation works out.
This post was edited on 2/3 10:57 PM by Chris Clark
- USC can have up to 32 prospects in this signing class - defined as "initial counters". Technically, the signing limit is 25 prospects but the NCAA of course has an exception by which midyear enrollees can count backwards in essence to the previous class if there was room.
- USC only had 14 initial counters in the 2014 class, and with a limit of 22 signees in 2014 that left eight open spots for 2015 that USC could count back. USC used all those slots: Ernest Hawkins, Jalen Henry, Marquavius Lewis, Christian Owens, Sherrod Pittman, Darin Smalls (think of him as a grayshirt from the 2014 class), Jerad Washington, and Dexter Wideman.
- The early enrollment financial aid papers that the high school guys signed are different from the NLIs signed by JUCO transfers Hawkins and Lewis. Under normal circumstances Hawkins and Lewis would count towards the 25 signing limit, but since they're midyear signees that be initial counters this academic year, they don't count and can be counted backwards.
- Ulric Jones signed midyear, but that was essentially nullified when he had to return to school to do more work before summer enrollment. He will sign again tomorrow and be counted in the 25 limit.
- Even though there is the 25 limit, because of the overall roster limitations, USC can only bring in a total of 32 in this class. So with eight early enrollees, that leaves 24 spots for actual signees.
- As of this writing, 21 prospects are slated to sign with USC tomorrow from the commitment list. Future JUCO placement Dennis Daley is on the commitment list, but will not sign tomorrow.
- That leaves three spots overall. Obviously one is for Rashad Fenton, who is announcing tomorrow and last we heard USC was the leader there. That would leave two for USC to "play with." The Gamecocks could hold onto both or give one or both away later. As we've said, Denzel Johnson is a guy to monitor past signing day if his academic situation works out.
This post was edited on 2/3 10:57 PM by Chris Clark
