The question of roster limits in college football is more nuanced than a simple number. While there isn't a hard cap on the total number of players a team can have on scholarship, there are strict limits on the number of players who can receive athletic scholarships at any given time. Understanding these limits requires exploring several key aspects of CFB regulations.
Scholarship Limits: The Core Restriction
The NCAA currently permits FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) programs to offer a maximum of 85 athletic scholarships. This is the most significant roster limit in college football. These scholarships cover tuition, fees, room, and board, but not other expenses like travel or spending money. This number is consistent across all FBS programs, ensuring a level playing field (at least in terms of scholarship availability).
What About Non-Scholarship Players?
The 85-scholarship limit applies only to scholarship players. Teams can have significantly more players on their roster who are not on scholarship (often referred to as "walk-ons"). These players participate fully in practices and games but don't receive financial aid from the athletic department. The number of walk-ons varies wildly between programs, depending on factors like coaching philosophy, recruiting success, and available resources.
Impact of Roster Limits
The 85-scholarship limit has several important impacts on college football programs:
- Recruiting Strategy: Coaches must carefully manage their recruiting efforts to stay within the scholarship limit. They need a balanced approach, considering both immediate needs and future roster projections.
- Player Development: The limit encourages coaches to develop players over multiple years, rather than relying solely on immediate impact recruits. Redshirting (delaying a player's eligibility for a year) is often used to manage roster spots and player development.
- Team Composition: The limit influences team composition, potentially affecting the balance of experience and youth on a roster.
- Transfer Portal Dynamics: The transfer portal has significantly impacted roster management. While it offers flexibility, coaches must also account for incoming and outgoing transfers to stay within the scholarship limits.
Beyond the 85: Other Roster Considerations
While the 85-scholarship limit is central, other factors affect the practical size of a college football team's roster:
- Medical Waivers: The NCAA allows for medical waivers that can exceed the scholarship limit in certain circumstances, such as serious injuries.
- Counting Rules: Specific NCAA rules govern how players are counted against the scholarship limit, taking into account redshirting and other factors.
- Practice Squads: While not directly tied to scholarships, many programs maintain a practice squad of non-scholarship players to supplement the main roster.
Future of Roster Limits
The NCAA is constantly reviewing its regulations, and the 85-scholarship limit may be subject to future changes. The evolving landscape of college athletics, including name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, could influence future discussions about roster limits and the overall structure of college football.
This detailed overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the current roster limits in college football, moving beyond simple answers to delve into the complexities and implications of NCAA regulations. The interplay between scholarship limits, walk-ons, and the transfer portal creates a dynamic and challenging roster management environment for coaches across the FBS.
