I went ahead and updated the scholarship chart on this lazy Sunday.
Of course, I did this fully knowing that Fabian Boeke may lose medical clearance and be departing the team shortly.
Oh well. You can find the chart here anytime (it looks much better in the link for some reason), or just look at it right now:
2008-09 |
2009-10 |
2010-11 |
2011-12 |
2012-13 |
Rochestie* |
Koprivica |
Boeke |
Lodwick* |
Watson* |
Harmeling* |
Boeke |
Lodwick* |
Thompson |
Thames |
Baynes |
Lodwick* |
Thompson |
Capers |
Motum |
Forrest |
Thompson |
Capers |
Casto |
Chadwick |
Koprivica |
Capers |
Casto |
Harthun |
Brown |
Boeke |
Casto |
Harthun |
Witherill |
Enquist |
Lodwick* |
Harthun |
Witherill |
Watson* |
|
Thompson |
Witherill |
Watson* |
Thames |
|
Capers |
Watson* |
Thames |
Motum |
|
Casto |
Thames |
Motum |
Chadwick |
|
Harthun |
Motum |
Chadwick |
Brown |
|
Witherill |
Chadwick |
Brown |
Simon |
|
Watson |
Brown |
Simon |
||
Non-Scholarship Players |
||||
Enquist* |
Enquist* |
Enquist* |
Enquist* |
Allen* |
Allen |
Allen* |
Allen* |
Allen* |
Key
Senior
Junior
Sophomore
Freshman
Redshirt Year
*-denotes redshirt player
And now, my observations:
- Boeke's potential departure could be a blessing in disguise, in that it would free up a scholarship for 2011. Or, if Tony is feeling desperate (and I really really hope he doesn't do this), he could offer another scholly for next fall. My feeling: it's too late, we already have four signed, and there's too much good talent still available for 2010. We should save the scholly - or give it temporarily to Enquist for next season (kid deserves it, IMO).
- Good Lord this team will be stacked in 2011-12. If you want to put money on any Cougar football/basketball squad winning a championship in the next decade, that is your team.
- Not redshirting Harthun and Witherill will come back to bite us. I'm having trouble finding a scenario in which it doesn't. Assuming no one redshirts next year, we are looking at 11 (!) players in two classes. Sustaining a program's success is all about balance. We no longer have any shred of it. However, if Tony had redshirted Harthun and Witherill, he could have four in the 2012 class, at least three in the 2013 class, and then have more flexibility to redshirt some of next year's guys for 2014.
- I have a funny feeling though that the only guy Tony might redshirt next year is Anthony Brown, and even then it seems unlikely given our need for ballhandlers. Unless Motum and Chadwick have been overvalued by the recruiting servieces, we will most likely need them too. Xavier Thames is a sure thing for playing time next year - only question is whether or not he'll start.
- The other problem with our lack of balance is it cramps our recruiting classes going forward. At this moment, with Boeke on scholly, we have zero rides available for 2010 and only one for 2011. That's setting up a boom-and-bust Cougar roster for years to come.
- Unless... Tony expects injuries and transfers. Which we all know he does. But assuming everyone stays healthy (knock on wood), who transfers down the road? I hate to say it, but Harthun seems like a logical candidate, as does Witherill when we start to get depth back at guard. Possibly Enquist as well, if he feels like he can earn a free ride elsewhere. Of course Charlie doesn't effect our scholarship total. Please note that I would hate to see any of the above leave WSU.
- Speaking of Enquist - and I know this is only a moral victory - but along with John Allen, I say hands down we have the best walk-ons in the conference. Seriously.