Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Tar Heels enroll 2 for spring semester

Football recruits Kevin Reddick and Josh Adams are both enrolled at UNC for the spring semester, a school spokesman confirmed, meaning they will be able to participate in spring drills and get a jump-start on the 2009 season.

But with the February 4 signing date approaching, it's still not totally certain who all will join them on the team next fall.

According to scout.com, UNC now has 29 oral commitments, four over the limit of 25 players that Football Bowl Subdivision teams are allowed to sign each season. As we wrote about last month, though, the more critical number, though, is 85 — the maximum number of scholarship players that FBS teams can have on its roster each year.

The Tar Heels used all 85 scholarships last season, and lose only 12 seniors. Here's an update on what they will lose, in addition:

- Junior wide receiver Hakeem Nicks left early for the NFL draft, opening up a 13th slot.

- Quarterback Cameron Sexton, a redshirt junior, will graduate in May and transfer to a Division II school. In addition, redshirt juniors Richie Rich and Kenton Thornton have also decided to graduate.

- Darius Powell and Tavorris Jolly were dismissed from the team this season for violating team rules. Kennedy Tinsley was also suspended, and it's unclear if he will return.

- Reserve offensive lineman Zack Handerson and B.J. Phillips will go on a medical hardship scholarships next season because of a shoulder injury. That means they won't count towards the 85 limit.

That leaves 20 scholarship openings — and perhaps 21, depending on whether Tinsley returns — so far.

Reddick (who originally signed last year, but failed to qualify) and Adams will count towards the team's 25/85 limits the 2009-10, because both enrolled in 2009.

If any of the current commitments "grayshirt" -- meaning they don't enroll until January 2010 -- they will be counted with the 2010-11 class. In addition, it's unclear if any other players might qualify for medical hardship scholarships, which recruits might fail to qualify, or if any will choose to go elsewhere.

-- Robbi Pickeral

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reddick just made it with passing his 3 online courses. HA just like Jone, Mullins, and many others. What has UNC become? The over recruiting is a joke but the Observer is doing there job defending it's 2 million dollar man. Keep up the great work

Jeffrey said...

"Richie Rich and Kenton Thornton have also decided to graduate"

You don't decide to graduate, you graduate. Do you mean they decided they won't play next year?

Tar Heel Smitty said...

No, Rich and Thornton are not playing in 2009.

Tar Heel Smitty said...

Hey Mr. Anonymous, every school recruits like that and has non qualifiers. Do a little research will ya?