[donkey687]

All of the following left the Stanford program after last season with eligibility remaining -
Reagan Williams
Frank Buncom
JJ Arcega-Whiteside
Sean Barton
Nick Wilson
Brian Chaffin
Dylan Jackson

Only three chose to return for a 5th year - Beecher, Toohill, Scarlett. In the past, Stanford has had more often 6 to 10 5th years.

Was this a blip or the start of a troubling trend? Shaw relies on 5th year seniors for experience and leadership. He may have to change his approach drastically if it becomes SOP to lose most of the senior class every year (and a few juniors too).

Add in Ben Edwards who could have gotten a redshirt for last year and you have 4 defensive starters opting to not return.  If those guys return, I think we beat Cal and Colorado and go bowling.  Barton especially would have been big impact. I don't remember a single starter opting to retire from football with eligibility remaining much less four in one year. Unexpectedly losing those guys really changed the outlook for our season. On offense, Wilson and Chaffin likely would have started on the OL after the injuries.  Chaffin at least didn't retire and grad transferred.

[donkey687]

All of the following left the Stanford program after last season with eligibility remaining -
Reagan Williams
Frank Buncom
JJ Arcega-Whiteside
Sean Barton
Nick Wilson
Brian Chaffin
Dylan Jackson

Only three chose to return for a 5th year - Beecher, Toohill, Scarlett. In the past, Stanford has had more often 6 to 10 5th years.

Was this a blip or the start of a troubling trend? Shaw relies on 5th year seniors for experience and leadership. He may have to change his approach drastically if it becomes SOP to lose most of the senior class every year (and a few juniors too).

Add in Ben Edwards who could have gotten a redshirt for last year and you have 4 defensive starters opting to not return.  If those guys return, I think we beat Cal and Colorado and go bowling.  Barton especially would have been big impact. I don't remember a single starter opting to retire from football with eligibility remaining much less four in one year. Unexpectedly losing those guys really changed the outlook for our season. On offense, Wilson and Chaffin likely would have started on the OL after the injuries.  Chaffin at least didn't retire and grad transferred.