Curious where did you heard this? There is at most 1-2 DSA that moved over from the Griz to WSU as the Griz only had 4 DSAs and I heard 2-3 were seniors. WSU had 30 players last year so at most they had 2 DSA and they've had one transfer not from the Griz who I suppose could be DSA. 10 seems like an exaggeration but if you have sources.
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Griz Soccer 2026
- Thread starter neon90
- Start date
NorcalGrizzly
Well-known member
From what I understand, the number of DSAs depends on the number a coach had on their roster in July 2025 - when the 28 player roster limit was being rolled out. So if a team had 33 current players on roster at that time, they would have 5 DSAs.
Some coaches chose to rip the band aid off and designate upperclassman who would be “natural cuts” i.e. they lost their position on the team to a younger player but were a dedicated hard worker who the coach wanted to protect/reward. This was the case at most mid-majors with limited financial resources.
Other coaches chose to designate freshman they wanted to keep 100% — either at their current program or where they might be coaching next season. Those players are probably not going in the portal, with the occasional exception.
My guess is most schools had 4-6 DSAs overall. There won’t be any left by 2029.
The DSA designation was intended as a one-time grandfathering mechanism, not an ongoing roster loophole.
Might be internet exaggeration, or perhaps I misunderstood what I read, which is why I framed it as "from what I have seen" and "may have." I didn’t know much about DSA, so down the Google/AI rabbit hole (a side effect of too much time at a desk). You definitely seem to have better intel, as I couldn't find an official list identifying DSA players by name or total counts for any sport.
Most of what I found was speculative. The takeaway seemed to be that there are no hard limits on how many players can be given DSA status on a sports team. Since the roster size didn't seem to limit the ability to "hand out" status, it implies a soccer team of 35 could have theoretically named all 35 as DSA, or none at all.
Maybe it's just conspiracy theories, but much of what I read focused on how well-funded sports programs might use DSA to maintain bloated rosters as the NCAA mess unfolds, with some comments directly targeting Ole Miss, WSU, and other soccer and sports programs undergoing coaching changes or rebuilds. The implication was that while most schools are being reasonable, naming maybe roughly 10%, or less in sports like football, some rebuilding or P4 programs in "lower roster" sports like basketball, soccer and volleyball might push DSA status to 30% or more, funding available if needed. In soccer terms, that’s carrying 10 DSAs on a 30 player roster. There was also discussion about DSA status being used for pending player releases to help them move without impacting the active or the move-to roster creating a specific player benefit, or even coaches using the status to "motivate" players to enter the portal. Again, my rabbit hole understanding could be wrong, but that was the gist that stuck with me.
Since neither WSU nor Ole Miss is in the Big Sky, the exact numbers don't impact Montana directly in soccer, and my math was really just a baseline. The broader intent to think about is whether DSA status creates a competitive advantage and adds even more pressure to the portal, for soccer or any sport, especially if overused or misused, and then how Montana's lack of DSA status players may limit Montana. It feels like another potential mess for athletes and coaches, courtesy of the NCAA.
I do have one question for you (or anyone else who might know): Was there a specific focus on seniors for DSA assignment, or did I misread your reply? Seniors seem like the group least likely to need it given their limited remaining eligibility. It seems far more useful for underclassmen, especially at well-funded programs where a larger "protected" group could be carried, funded, utilized, and evaluated over time.
By the way, NorcalGrizzy, I just saw your reply - much cleaner than my comment, thanks! Who knows, maybe we're all wrong, but it certainly gives us something to think and chat about!
Filling the roster for this year makes sense, grab the good when you can, but I’m curious about your comment on the commits. You mentioned doubting that Cito’s commits are Gore’s commits, based on the lack of “Griz” mentions on profiles and Gore not following them. I thought some 2026s and 2027s decommitted, but that the remaining group was solid with Montana and now Gore, and that some declined to follow the staff to WSU. Is that wrong?
Regarding “profiles,” TopDrawerSoccer and Instagram, if that is what you meant, still list Montana for the players I have seen. X and Facebook do not seem to be updated much, and some have not been refreshed since 2023. My guess is that recruiting-specific profiles fade after a player commits and they shift back to their friend-oriented profiles, especially if they are not reopening recruitment. I don't mix my “business” and “personal” profiles, and I would think the players are similar. If anything, the lack of updates may indicate continued commitment to Montana and Gore.
I hope you are wrong, because on paper the commits seem like good fits for Missoula, the program, and their positions. It is hard to know how any player translates to D1, or a college, until they arrive, so I agree openings may, and will likely occur, as I witnessed competing D1 way back, so as I said grab the good when you can. That stated, the Citowicki recruits’ accolades and attitudes suggest they are serious about soccer, which hopefully translates to D1 and the Montana program, 6:00 AM workouts and all.
MontanaGrizSoccer
Well-known member
The DSA were went to protect the incoming freshman class of 2025 due the roster limits that went into effect last summer but coaches could designate any player they wanted. Most schools designated there incoming freshman class, your seeing this with the May portal as a majority of the DSAs are freshman/incoming sophomores.
MontanaGrizSoccer
Well-known member
Another DSA into the portal
That makes sense. I hope that is how most handled it; roster numbers and portal comments will show. My late-night rabbit-hole reading was NCAA-sports related, not always soccer-specific. Sure glad I am here and on other soccer threads, and taking a break from finance threads with everything going on. And wow, some of those other sports threads get pretty conspiracy-driven and heated compared to the good conversation and low-key speculation here.
I'm only saying there's turnover year to year and part of that can be kids that just decide to quit - passing no judgment. Nothing about their soccer ability - just a choice they make, happens almost every year. But main point is there is turn over, injuries, changes of circumstances. I must be bored so here's the last 5-6 recruiting class and the number of SEI's and number of players that left the program and the reason I would fill roster for this fall season (or at least not intentionally hold spots for future seasons):
Griz incoming Classes
2025 Class - 8 recruits: 1 ACL, 3 transferred
2024 Class - 8 recruits: 3 ACL, 6 transferred
2023 Class - 7 recruits: 1 ACL, 6 transferred or quit soccer
2022 Class - 8 recruits: 3 ACL, 2 transferred or quit soccer
2021 Class - 9 recruits: 2 ACL, 2 transferred or quit soccer
2020 Class - 7 recruits: all 7 transferred or quit soccer
MontanaGrizSoccer
Well-known member
Good information, can't control injuries but the number of transfers is something else. It makes sense to fill the roster and win now. Griz have an opportunity to fill 6 spots and turn the BSC on its head. If they can't fill them it not for the lack of trying, Coach Gore making a big push on Twitter.
Those are crazy numbers. I thought you were more they are Citowicki recruits, so they aren't "into" Montana anymore, or Gore and Gore was not into them. I get the D1 burn, but if you're not into the school or the coach, I'm assuming that number has to go up drastically.
That seems like a lot of ACL, 10% of a roster yearly, and assuming other injuries. Is that normal, or was there an underlying thing - over train, under recover? I'm guessing that the transfers were from across the roster and not just from the recruits? So 20% to 25% of a roster each year to transfers and injuries. Yes, load up!
Great stats, and thanks. I'm glad you got bored.
NorcalGrizzly
Well-known member
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8gwqF2P/
For those of you that like visual reference
- this is the state of D1 soccer these days.
my teen daughter/‘28 recruit said this trend is all over TikTok. First slide is a pic of a recruiting class, pre-season. Second slide is who is left after two years. (This one of the UM 2023 class needs to be updated bc #16 is gone too - CB for Chris @ WSU now).
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8gwtRq5/
For those of you that like visual reference
- this is the state of D1 soccer these days.my teen daughter/‘28 recruit said this trend is all over TikTok. First slide is a pic of a recruiting class, pre-season. Second slide is who is left after two years. (This one of the UM 2023 class needs to be updated bc #16 is gone too - CB for Chris @ WSU now).
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8gwtRq5/
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This is now the norm everywhere. 2026’s who went in early for spring ball are getting cut right now.https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8gwqF2P/
For those of you that like visual reference
my teen daughter/‘28 recruit said this trend is all over TikTok. First slide is a pic of a recruiting class, pre-season. Second slide is who is left after two years. (This one of the UM 2023 class needs to be updated bc #16 is gone too - CB for Chris @ WSU now).
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8gwtRq5/
Doesn’t seem to be any Montana players going in tho.
NorcalGrizzly
Well-known member
definitely seems like good solid group staying put with Coach Gore.
And as much as there have been injuries and transfers - gotta also remember that was a big, impactful group of 9 seniors that graduated this year, too.
Some rebuilding was going to have to happen, nmw
Agree with this. That was a great class - would have felt their loss even if Chris had stayed. Happy Portal Eve!
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MontanaGrizSoccer
Well-known member
Not only that this but the 2026 being cut who went early in December are supposedly power 4 players with National team invites. So is the scouting wrong or is the National team invite pool so watered down.
GrizzlyBen
Active member
Ok, this message is for Coach Stu and Jay. Good luck to you both. Lets find some Griz.
#GoGriz!!
#GoGriz!!
MontanaGrizSoccer
Well-known member
As of 8AM this morning, over 300 D1 WSOC entrees & rising, estimating 600-800 D1 new players will enter and keep in mind there were ~350 players from the fall that never found on a home. Big Sky has there portal entry, redshirt freshman winger from Eastern Washington.
GrizzlyBen
Active member
Might I ask, where are you getting this info? Very good info.
MontanaGrizSoccer
Well-known member
Former Griz back in the portal
