Butch Davis Gives Us a Fuzzy Math Lesson

Butch Davis, who is quickly becoming this year's poster boy for over-recruiting, gave his side of the story this week in an interview with David Glenn of 850 The Buzz in Raleigh.

Part of the interview is posted on 850's blog. In the audio clip, Davis says he doesn't think the fuzzy math should be a concern to anyone outside the program.

The Raleigh News & Observer reported last week that Davis' team will lose 12 scholarship players after it completes the 2008 season, but the Tar Heels already had 24 commitments, which would put them over the limit of 85 scholarship players. Davis and his staff reportedly picked up two more commitments in the past week, bring the total to 26.

So how will Davis trim his roster to the allowable 85? Given that he is going to be way over the limit, the coach will have no choice but to run players who aren't expected to contribute. Not cool in our book, but this is a trend that is becoming commonplace in college football. Davis, at the moment, is the worst offender.

Tar Heel fans defend the program by pointing to the team's 2008 NCAA Graduation Success Rate of 78%, above the national average of 64%. But those numbers cover players who enrolled between 1998-2001, long before Davis arrived on the scene. In seven years, the full impact of Davis' recruits will be reflected on the GSR.

Comments

[scramble eggs]

I'd like to know what you thought about this situation if SC, osu or Texas did it.

[Bruce]

Perhaps the point is SC, OSU and Texas don't do it, nor does an overwhelming majority of D1 teams. It's news because it's rare and deserves an explanation.

[Alpha Wolf]

The running has already begun:

According to a North Carolina official, sophomore cornerback Tavorris Jolly has been suspended for the Meineke Car Care Bowl and is looking to transfer. In limited action, Jolly, a Shelby (N.C.) native, recorded one tackle during the 2008 season. As a red-shirt freshman, he played in eight games, tallying nine tackles.