You have to consider that any GS, BS, or Preferred Walk-on may still count to next years class.
It depends on how the 6 EE that signed their FAA are classified.
If they are classified as 2013 preferred walk ons, or if they are classified as GS for 2013.
The wording for both was ambitious, and has been corrected by NCAA already.
The rule cannot be enforced the 1st year its updated though.
They technically do not fit any current defined classification.
They are not GS, they are not walk ons, and they didn't sign LOI.
Moving forward, after this year they would be classified as EE GS players.
That will make them count to the next year after they filed their FAA.
I think we will likely also see FAA be considered the same as post dated LOI moving forward.
This would prevent a player from signing multiple FAA, like Malone did this year.
For instance next year (the 2015 class) if we had a player sign FAA before the Dec deadline. Then EE without signing LOI, and pickup the scholarship their 1st semester they would automatically be considered a GS player for 2014. This would make them count against the 2015 25 limit.
That wording was missing, and created the loophole.
NCAA will not be able to really do anything about it, as UT informed them of the error on their part, and advised that we would not go over the 85 limit.
UT is following the letter of the law, maybe not the spirit of what was intended, but that is not actionable according to SEC, and NCAA charter.
It may make them mad, but it is not a violation.
Anyway, that is my understanding on the situation.
I am not fully in the know, but know some people who have confirmed some of what I have said. They would not allow me to speak to them in terms of UT, only general facts.
I just put the pieces together enough to see the picture.
If I am in error, springboarding from what was confirmed to me, in applying it to UT I apologize. It is hard to take off the Orange Colored Glasses sometimes.
I hope we can do it, if not CBJ still has a backup plan.
I do feel very confident that the loophole will work as I have mentioned.
If not I will leave .... the door open to crow eating buffet.
GBO