[CTcard]

Shaw now has 11 in the class.  One is leaving for a mission, but Barton is returning from one.  If you take the statement at face value that Stanford will take 17-18 in this class, then you can make a very good guess as to who Shaw wants to fill those spots.
...
Any thoughts on this?

One thought is to not take the 17-18 in the class number too seriously.

By my quick count Stanford has 13 5th year seniors on the roster (maybe 3 of those are not on scholarship? Flacco, Trojan, I think at least one of Olugobode and Rhyne got a scholarship?).
From the depth chart I see 4 academic seniors who have used up their eligibility.

There are clearly candidates from the academic senior class to either not be invited back for a fifth year or decide they may wish to move on themselves. I see about 8 on a quick look - though it lacks decorum to put down names.

There are a couple of candidates for leaving early for the NFL - at the least Peat, Carter and Hogan have been mentioned.

There's always attrition we don't see coming for various reasons. Obviously hard to predict (because we don't see it coming) but that's typically 2-3.

So, I don't see any problems finding space for more than 18 new guys, if Shaw can attract more than 18 new guys who can play and get admitted.

[CTcard]

Shaw now has 11 in the class.  One is leaving for a mission, but Barton is returning from one.  If you take the statement at face value that Stanford will take 17-18 in this class, then you can make a very good guess as to who Shaw wants to fill those spots.
...
Any thoughts on this?

One thought is to not take the 17-18 in the class number too seriously.

By my quick count Stanford has 13 5th year seniors on the roster (maybe 3 of those are not on scholarship? Flacco, Trojan, I think at least one of Olugobode and Rhyne got a scholarship?).
From the depth chart I see 4 academic seniors who have used up their eligibility.

There are clearly candidates from the academic senior class to either not be invited back for a fifth year or decide they may wish to move on themselves. I see about 8 on a quick look - though it lacks decorum to put down names.

There are a couple of candidates for leaving early for the NFL - at the least Peat, Carter and Hogan have been mentioned.

There's always attrition we don't see coming for various reasons. Obviously hard to predict (because we don't see it coming) but that's typically 2-3.

So, I don't see any problems finding space for more than 18 new guys, if Shaw can attract more than 18 new guys who can play and get admitted.