UConn Football Roster Size

[huskymedic]

From the Weekly Press availability prior to Michigan Game:

 

[UCMB88]

Begs the question, why? If UConn is serious about playing big boy football, why are they capped at 105, when almost every other program carries 120-130? Either they are all in or they are not - no shortcuts! Every time I hear something like this about UConn I shake my head.

 

[UConnJim]

Begs the question, why? If UConn is serious about playing big boy football, why are they capped at 105, when almost every other program carries 120-130? Either they are all in or they are not - no shortcuts! Every time I hear something like this about UConn I shake my head.

The NCAA rules limit the roster size to 105 before the first game or first day of classes. After that, you can expand the roster. I checked some local FBS schools to see how big their rosters were:

BC: 105
UMass: 107
Syracuse: 108
Temple: 111
Penn St.: 121
Rutgers: 129

I would think UConn might have some flexibility to expand by a few more spots instead of a hard cap 105, but I would think it would be extremely difficult to manage a very large roster especially with caps on practice time. And, I have to believe that out of all the roster spots over 85, maybe a handful of players see the field over their career.

 

[RSTuthill]

That is the first thing out of his mouth that I am not really thrilled about. Sounds a bit like an excuse.

 

[ktuck911]

even Bryant (FCS) has 125 folks on its roster... 2022 Bryant Football Roster

Hopefully we can get there....soon.. we need that...

 

[McLovin]

The NCAA rules limit the roster size to 105 before the first game or first day of classes. After that, you can expand the roster. I checked some local FBS schools to see how big their rosters were:

BC: 105
UMass: 107
Syracuse: 108
Temple: 111
Penn St.: 121
Rutgers: 129

I would think UConn might have some flexibility to expand by a few more spots instead of a hard cap 105, but I would think it would be extremely difficult to manage a very large roster especially with caps on practice time. And, I have to believe that out of all the roster spots over 85, maybe a handful of players see the field over their career.

So are all of those additional players from those programs walk ons? Or walk ons turned scholarship players?

 

[huskymedic]

That is the first thing out of his mouth that I am not really thrilled about. Sounds a bit like an excuse.

Curious - Did you listen to the question that prompted the exchange/full answer or just going off the tweet above?

 

[kibblesnbits]

I've never run a D-I practice and I know you need a lot of bodies, but we have 85 scholarship players and 20 walk-ons. I know many walk-ons never see the field, but with 105 players already, how many additional walk-ons would even see signficant time on the scout teams?

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

It's odd that Mora said he didn't know the reason for the cap at UConn. Seems hard to believe. It feels like he was publicly putting pressure on Benedict to lift the cap.

But...Mora thinks the program would benefit from an expanded roster...and if UConn indeed has the smallest roster in FBS...seems like the school should find a way to make it happen.

 

[ZooCougar]

Seems like this comment needs context or at least the question that triggered it.

 

[shizzle787]

NFL rosters have 53 guys + a practice squad, and they play 17 games. I do not see why college teams need 85 scholarships + 40 walk-ons for 12-15 games.

 

[Palatine]

It's meaningless. If your are using player 106, you're in deep trouble with your squad. Player 106 would be a back up on the scout team.

 

[Kolumbo]

It's meaningless. If your are using player 106, you're in deep trouble with your squad. Player 106 would be a back up on the scout team.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Seems like this comment needs context or at least the question that triggered it.

I would suggest listening to his whole presser today for the context.

 

[businesslawyer]

So are all of those additional players from those programs walk ons? Or walk ons turned scholarship players?

walk ons. The limit for scholarship players is 85 (subject to any transitory rules dealing with extra covid seasons).

 

[CL82]

even Bryant (FCS) has 125 folks on its roster... 2022 Bryant Football Roster

Hopefully we can get there....soon.. we need that...

Yeah but to be fair Bryant has made a scholarship offer to everyone in the world and probably a few ETs.

 

[RSTuthill]

Only 85 travel though, right? So the added expense is low.

 

[huskymedic]

That is the first thing out of his mouth that I am not really thrilled about. Sounds a bit like an excuse.

Seems like this comment needs context or at least the question that triggered it.

I would suggest listening to his whole presser today for the context.

Question on team depth with injuries begins @ 7:30 mark:

 

[Chin Diesel]

That is the first thing out of his mouth that I am not really thrilled about. Sounds a bit like an excuse.

Sounds like he is publicly saying something that has privately been discussed.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Not allowed to have depth on a team with 42 more players than an NFL team (including practice squad). Nonsense. It's not the problem.

 

[RSTuthill]

Question on team depth with injuries begins @ 7:30 mark:

Thx. Listening to it, seems more just a statement of fact. But really, can 20 walk-ons help an FBS team in any way? Who was it that first made the walk-on corps a big thing. Texas A&M? How did that work? What is the benefit? Practice numbers?

 

[ZooCougar]

Not allowed to have depth on a team with 42 more players than an NFL team (including practice squad). Nonsense. It's not the problem.

If you actually listen to the Q&A he said the number of key injuries was the real issue.

 

[UCMB88]

It's meaningless. If your are using player 106, you're in deep trouble with your squad. Player 106 would be a back up on the scout team.

If it's so meaningless then why did Mora specifically refer to it? "We're capped out at 105, that's a fact. I wish it wasn't a fact, we could certainly use bodies and players."

 

[UCMB88]

NFL rosters have 53 guys + a practice squad, and they play 17 games. I do not see why college teams need 85 scholarships + 40 walk-ons for 12-15 games.

NFL teams can sign anyone they like during the season. Former players who aren't currently in the league, players playing in Europe, or semi-pro, players who retired, etc. Always hear stories about the guy who was working at a car dealership one day, and he's kicking field goals for an NFL team the next day. Can't do that in college.

 

[wheelerdog]

Maybe they're wearing the wrong shoes too.