What I don't like about 8 or 9 is that it compromises your ability to practice, with a split squad of scholarship players. I fully well acknowledge that some walk ons [you mention Herron on that 2003 squad, also Andrew Kouwe, etc.] who were good players in their own right and very good shooters, who could contribute in practice. Back in the day when I used to attend early season practices often, I can tell you that Herron / Kouwe were such good shooters who used to knock down shots ALL THE TIME in practice during scrimmages. Those guys were good players, but they weren't able to adequately defend guys like Edelin, GMac, Pace, etc. When you can match Edelin and Pace AGAINST a GMac and Duany [or whatever combination]-- that's when you get competitive practices.
But defensively, those guys were disadvantaged playing against scholarship players. You need 10 to run quality practices. Players like Chaz might not be typical walk ons [he's 6-6, he's got some skill], but he should be supplemental to the 10 core group you need, so that you can scrimmage effectively.
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