December is a particularly busy time for college football head coaches with the early signing period and the transfer portal window all occurring while players are considering whether or not to enter the NFL Draft. It sets up a difficult situation as coaches try to manage their rosters, and Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel opened up about it a bit this week.
During a recent press conference, Josh Heupel explained that with the current college football calendar, it’s difficult for a coach to predict how many roster sports they’re going to have available.
“I think the hardest thing in today’s landscape is the uncertainty of the numbers,” Heupel said according to On3. “That can be with your entire roster. It can be with position groups. Because of the portal, the recruitment of these guys, and I’m talking about, you know, the fact the kids will still be going into the portal here [at the] end of January, you’re constantly evaluating your roster, where you’re at, what are the needs that you have?
“You’re looking for athletic traits. At times you feel like you need experience. At times you feel like, you know, those guys that are on campus that you need to develop and get them ready to play by the time you kick off next year.”
Teams have to be down to 85 scholarship players by the time they begin preseason camp.
[On3]
