I know it's a limited group.
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Still not clear who opts in or who opts out. -
You have to think there will be some fallout.
Assuming P4 D1s opt in, reduced roster sizes mean some players from the bottom of their rosters will be looking at mid-majors. Either as new recruits or transfers. If this change takes effect for 2025, the transfer portal effect seems likely to be an immediate, substantial impact. Coaches know that, so it will affect their recruiting prior to the transfer window.
Also it adds more uncertainty as the shift will require a huge amount of planning and decisions at each college/university. That's rough for everyone.
Here's one take on it from Twitter:
https://x.com/ProfBank/status/1816956217895645197
Using UCLA as an example:
Another post, edited:In the case of soccer, both men and women will have roster limits of 28. As an example of how this limit could affect rosters going forward, UCLA had 26 on the 2023 men's roster, but it had 32 on the women's roster. So, the women would have 4 fewer spots going forward. 3/
I don't know how many minutes, if any, those last 4 players on the UCLA women's soccer team roster played last year, but those spots would not be available in the future even if a player was willing to attend w/o a scholarship or revenue sharing. 4/
These roster limits could have a cascade effect down the pecking order, so a recruit who might have preferred a bench spot at UCLA before, might have to "settle" for playing at a mid-major, which might push players at those schools to other options/levels 5/
Uncommitted 2025’s ... Colleges will save their roster spots and money for the transfer portal this year that will be ridiculous in size
Uncommitted 2026’s, you’ll have to be patient as schools are waiting to see what their increase $ will look like or sadly what their decrease will be.Comment
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Post linked above says this about the men's side, but it raises the question of whether this will accelerate the destruction of "college" soccer on the women's side for the same reasons.
On the men's side, the elimination of scholarship limits might also further increase the number of int'l students on college rosters, since it was often more difficult for them to find financial aid to make up the difference with a partial scholarship 6/Comment
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I suspect it will make the game, as a whole, better. Less spots means more competition. Bench players will find their new level at a school they can play at or choose not to play at all. Top players will consolidate in P4. No doubt this will have a trickle down effect and make mid majors stronger, which will push mid major end of bench to D2/D3 in turn making them stronger. Not sure this will affect the top soccer schools as they are already getting the top talent. With more scholarships perhaps the top schools actually get better, kids who received 50% at UCLA maybe can now go for 100% instead of going to non p4. Will be interesting what the Big East, West Coast Conf and others handle the changesOriginally posted by Guest View PostComment
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You’re focusing on the cut in the roster size. That wasn’t the point at all.Originally posted by Guest View Post
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well…the cut in roster size and increase in scholarships. P4 schools were limited to 14 for unlimited players, now they have 28 for 28 players (at least how I understand it, admittedly, I could be wrong). More scholarships would mean fewer kids settling for lesser programs who offer more money. It’ll also eliminate a roster of 36 with a bunch of kids getting a little. If I’m wrong I’m sure it will be corrected hereOriginally posted by Guest View PostComment
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