If every senior with one year of eligibility left stayed at school and every player who has verbally committed to SU from the 2015 class signed for the team, Syracuse would have 99 players on its roster for next season. 17 of those players are walk-ons (including linebacker Kyle Kleinberg who verbally committed as a preferred walk on two days ago). That means that 82 players will be on scholarship for Syracuse football next season.
NCAA rules allow for a maximum of 85 players to be on scholarship per season for an FBS program; so Syracuse has three more scholarships available for next year. The Orange should be closer to the limit, but freshman defensive end Jalen Harvey and sophomore quarterback Mitch Kimble plan to transfer.
Things can definitely change, but assuming SU does only have three scholarships left to give out, who will get them? The most likely candidate is another player from the 2015 class. New Jersey tight end Jake Pickard may flip his commitment from Wisconsin to Syracuse because of the Badger’s head coaching change. Missouri defensive end Nate Howard could be in line to receive one if he flips Wisconsin for Syracuse as well. Linebacker Doyle Grimes could also get one if he changes his commitment from Marshall to the Orange.
The scholarships could also go to players who have not committed anywhere yet such as Pennsylvania safety Jay Stocker or to a transfer (like Trey Dunkelberger).
SU should really be at 83 scholarships for next year, but defensive end Brandon Ginnetti is not enrolling at Syracuse until January 2016 due to a foot injury. Corner Treevon Prater, who failed to qualify academically last year, could put the Orange at 83 scholarships if he is able to enroll in January. 2014 corner commit Lamar Dawson could also put Syracuse at 83 if he enrolls this summer. He did not arrive at Syracuse in 2014 because he was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and needed time to get to full strength.
Posted:  Connor Morrissette
