2021-22 LSU Football Scholarship Numbers

Been doing this in the comments sections but figured I'd just make a fanpost here with the picture being clearer after the Jan. 18 NFL Draft opt-in deadline.

I know a lot of people on site at ATVS are very interested in LSU's scholarship numbers for this season and beyond. Here's where LSU stands as of Jan. 25 for its roster next season

(Note: There may be a few players/positions I missed movement on but think I've got most of it)

More notes: LSU only has 81 spots for next year due to self-imposed limits and I'm assuming LSU signs a full 25 in this class (which hey, they may not).

Scholly numbers by position BEFORE THE 2021 RECRUITING CLASS:

QUARTERBACK (3)
Brennan, Johnson, Finley

RUNNING BACK (3)
TDP, Emery, Bradford

TIGHT END (3)
Taylor, Moffitt, Storz

WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Kirklin, Jenkins, Palmer, Boutte, Moore, Adams

OFFENSIVE LINE (12)
Deculus, Shanahan, Ingram, Hines, Rosenthal, Wire, Dumervil, Thomas, Bradford, Hill, Turner

DEFENSIVE LINE (12)
Anthony, Logan, Farrell, Gaye, Fonua, Cherry, Ojulari, Roy, Guillory, Evans, Little, Taylor

LINEBACKERS (6)
Baskerville, Clark, Sampah, White, Webb, Lee (could play either TE or LB)

CORNERBACKS (7)
Evans, Stingley, Ward, Flott, Ricks, McGlothern, Jones

SAFETIES (4)
Lewis, Harris, Hampton, Toles

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
York, Skinner, Atkins

The Breakdown

Okay, so here's what this means for LSU:

The position breakdown above shows 59 players currently on scholarship

A 25-man 2021 class would put LSU at 84, three above the 81 limit

You figure that there will be some attrition (transfers, ineligibles, etc)

Prime candidates: a QB + young OL, DL, LB and/or DB (Finley, Cherry, Fonua, Hill, Webb, etc)

Have to believe guys who announced they were coming back for this year + 2021 croots aren't transferring before the season starts, so that eliminates 40 possible transfers already

Figure with light (not zero) attrition, LSU should be in 78-81 scholarship range for 2021

O and staff did an amazing job to still likely be around 80 after the re-recruiting

Given the numbers, even 2 more guys leaving on each side of the ball could have left things thin

Bottom Line: LSU shouldn't be too thin at any one position or for total players in 2021

What about 2022?

Good question. The number of "seniors" isn't that different than usual but most non-Class of 2020 or 2021 players are at least a possibility to leave after 2021. Luckily, LSU doesn't have a ton left!

100-percent out of eligibility after 2021 (9)
Kirklin, Moffitt, Deculus, Shanahan, Anthony, Logan, Farrell, Evans, Lewis

I'd be shocked if they're back after 2021 (5)
Brennan, Stingley, Gaye, Ingram, Rosenthal

Seems likely they'll leave after 2021? (2)
Hines, Harris (2021 already his 5th year, S will be loaded in 2022)

Total wild cards AKA if they have a strong 2021 season they could declare (8)
Emery, TDP, Jenkins, Wire, Baskerville, Clark, Hampton, Strong (talented 2021 JuCO LB)

Some 2022 notes:

Honestly surprised by how few guys LSU will auto-lose to eligibility or sure-thing NFL Draft
Let's say LSU ultimately has 79 scholarship players on the 2021 roster
Let's say LSU loses ~18 of the 24 above to eligibility/the draft after 2021
Subtract another 4-6 transfers in the 2021-22 offseason
Add another (presumed) 25-man 2022 recruiting class
That works out to ~79 MINUS ~23 PLUS 25 which would mean...
Final 2022 Roster Scholarship Guess: I'd have LSU in the 79 to 82 range
While not ideal, 80ish for 2022 after all the attrition in the 2018-19 classes would be huge

Thanks for reading and always curious to see how fellow fans feel about the roster situation and/or what you think of my NFL/transfer hunches for post-2021.

As always: Geaux Tigers

FanPost