[GK3]

So what happens if all these portal guys don’t have better offers? How do Hamilton, Hattis, Swann, Williams, and Eboh return along with the Frosh class? How will there be enough scholarships?

Fifth year scholarships aren't guaranteed, so some players will be told that there is no room for them if players like Williams and Swann decide to come back.  This is why Shaw has told the players putting their name in the transfer portal that after a certain date, they won't be guaranteed a slot if they chose to come back.  At some point he has to tell other players that they either do or do not have a spot on the team, which will be dependent on the availability of scholarships and specifically on whether certain players in the portal chose to stay in the portal.

Basically, at this point, players are told one of three things:
1) There will be a spot on the team for you so long as you let us know that you will take it by a certain date.
2) There may be a spot on the team for you depending on who transfers out.  We will let you know for sure by a certain date.  In the meantime, if you want to explore other options, we are happy to support you.
3) Congratulations on your Stanford diploma, we are happy to help you find a grad school or a job on your way out.

Finally someone has finally laid the issue out so it seems pretty clear, 

Thank you, but I have one remaining question.  If an athlete, or any student for that matter completes all requirements for their degree and graduation by the end of their 4th year, are they required to graduate and then return to be contingent upon acceptance into a Stanford Graduate Program?  If true it would further explain why guys who have a year of eligibility left are looking elsewhere -  Guys who have a year left and have not completed their requirements can return if there is a place for them as I understand it, if not, they move on.  I suppose it may be possible today to arrange to leave one graduation requirement for the Fall quarter of your fifth year, come back, play that quarter then move on.

Frankly football is a tough sport, hard on the body and the bulk of the guys will not move on and play for the big bucks.  My guess is that a number of guys would like to comeback and play one more years with their friends, but they are also at the point where they know they won't play on Sunday so they start thinking about the next step.  Whether they like to admit it or not, they all know that for many there is a price to be paid for the years of playing football when they get older.

[GK3]

So what happens if all these portal guys don’t have better offers? How do Hamilton, Hattis, Swann, Williams, and Eboh return along with the Frosh class? How will there be enough scholarships?

Fifth year scholarships aren't guaranteed, so some players will be told that there is no room for them if players like Williams and Swann decide to come back.  This is why Shaw has told the players putting their name in the transfer portal that after a certain date, they won't be guaranteed a slot if they chose to come back.  At some point he has to tell other players that they either do or do not have a spot on the team, which will be dependent on the availability of scholarships and specifically on whether certain players in the portal chose to stay in the portal.

Basically, at this point, players are told one of three things:
1) There will be a spot on the team for you so long as you let us know that you will take it by a certain date.
2) There may be a spot on the team for you depending on who transfers out.  We will let you know for sure by a certain date.  In the meantime, if you want to explore other options, we are happy to support you.
3) Congratulations on your Stanford diploma, we are happy to help you find a grad school or a job on your way out.

Finally someone has finally laid the issue out so it seems pretty clear, 

Thank you, but I have one remaining question.  If an athlete, or any student for that matter completes all requirements for their degree and graduation by the end of their 4th year, are they required to graduate and then return to be contingent upon acceptance into a Stanford Graduate Program?  If true it would further explain why guys who have a year of eligibility left are looking elsewhere -  Guys who have a year left and have not completed their requirements can return if there is a place for them as I understand it, if not, they move on.  I suppose it may be possible today to arrange to leave one graduation requirement for the Fall quarter of your fifth year, come back, play that quarter then move on.

Frankly football is a tough sport, hard on the body and the bulk of the guys will not move on and play for the big bucks.  My guess is that a number of guys would like to comeback and play one more years with their friends, but they are also at the point where they know they won't play on Sunday so they start thinking about the next step.  Whether they like to admit it or not, they all know that for many there is a price to be paid for the years of playing football when they get older.