[OutsiderFan]

Stanford appears to have a real problem on its hands, and is fighting a ridiculous up-hill battle in college football, making it harder on itself than frankly makes any sense at all. Consider these Stanford realities:

- Make recruits complete application process far more arduous than any other school
- Entrance requirements are higher than any other school 
- No early enrollment
- No JC players allowed
- Grad transfers out are common, Grad transfers in are virtually non-existent
- More guys retire and forego last year of eligibility than other schools
- Making matters even worse, Stanford employs a complicated offense that takes a long time to learn and get players producing

All of the bolded have nothing to do with the football program and everything to do with the university. Clemson and Alabama have 50% acceptance rates; Stanford's is 5% with a far more competitive applicant pool. In recent years, Stanford has taken between 0 and 40 transfers, almost all of whom are hard-scrabble success stories, military, or community college all-stars. Almost all of Stanford's grad programs are close to as competitive as the undergrad admissions, and it's probable the average desirable football player simply wouldn't have hit the academic metrics necessary to be admitted. 

I think (a) we drastically underestimate how well the football program has done given these hurdles, and (b) personally, would prefer the status quo to the alternative. OK, we'll never be Alabama or Clemson. In literally any other context, that's a virtue, not a flaw.

Stanford admits football players with transcripts, GPAs, and test scores that wouldn't get them admitted if they weren't playing sports, so the 5% acceptance is a bit of a canard, isn't it? What you're talking about is degree of restrictions on athletes. To me, allowing early entries and taking JC transfers would be the most accommodating moves that don't compromise academic standards. There are many guys who are too small for D1 scholarships out of high school or who really get serious about school in JC that can thrive as a student and help teams win. Plus, having JC transfers and early entries would diversify the student population, which is always beneficial.

[OutsiderFan]

Stanford appears to have a real problem on its hands, and is fighting a ridiculous up-hill battle in college football, making it harder on itself than frankly makes any sense at all. Consider these Stanford realities:

- Make recruits complete application process far more arduous than any other school
- Entrance requirements are higher than any other school 
- No early enrollment
- No JC players allowed
- Grad transfers out are common, Grad transfers in are virtually non-existent
- More guys retire and forego last year of eligibility than other schools
- Making matters even worse, Stanford employs a complicated offense that takes a long time to learn and get players producing

All of the bolded have nothing to do with the football program and everything to do with the university. Clemson and Alabama have 50% acceptance rates; Stanford's is 5% with a far more competitive applicant pool. In recent years, Stanford has taken between 0 and 40 transfers, almost all of whom are hard-scrabble success stories, military, or community college all-stars. Almost all of Stanford's grad programs are close to as competitive as the undergrad admissions, and it's probable the average desirable football player simply wouldn't have hit the academic metrics necessary to be admitted. 

I think (a) we drastically underestimate how well the football program has done given these hurdles, and (b) personally, would prefer the status quo to the alternative. OK, we'll never be Alabama or Clemson. In literally any other context, that's a virtue, not a flaw.

Stanford admits football players with transcripts, GPAs, and test scores that wouldn't get them admitted if they weren't playing sports, so the 5% acceptance is a bit of a canard, isn't it? What you're talking about is degree of restrictions on athletes. To me, allowing early entries and taking JC transfers would be the most accommodating moves that don't compromise academic standards. There are many guys who are too small for D1 scholarships out of high school or who really get serious about school in JC that can thrive as a student and help teams win. Plus, having JC transfers and early entries would diversify the student population, which is always beneficial.