We combine the deep three because we can.

And also because many of these players play similar roles and switch around from wing to fullback. We so have some players who might be centers also, notably Dominic Holmes who played all over but was MVP of the D2 final as a fullback so he goes in here.

Ultimately there is a ton of talent and there has been throughout the list.

We selected players from 44 different teams. We'd like more, in fact, and certainly there are some talented players on lower-profile teams, but we're still pleased with how widespread we are with this list. We cover 12 conferences.

As for how many we have in our positions:

Top D2 Players of the Fall: Front Row
Top D2 Players of the Fall: Lock
Top D2 Players of the Fall: Flanker
Top D2 Players of the Fall: No. 8
Top D2 Players of the Fall: Scrumhalf
Top D2 Players of the Fall: Flyhalf
Top D2 Players of the Fall: Center

We look at how many we'd expect. We selected about 160 players for recognition, so you'd expect about 21 (each) for props, locks, flankers, and centers. You'd expected about 11 hookers, scrumhalves, flyhalves, and No. 8s. And since we lumped wings and fullbacks together you'd expect 32 of those.

Here's how the positions broke out (expected amount in parentheses):

Prop: 19 (21)
Hooker: 10 (11)
Lock: 18 (21)
Flanker: 15 (21)
No. 8: 19 (11)
Scrumhalf: 16 (11)
Flyhalf: 15 (11)
Center: 27 (21)
Wing/Fullback: 22 (32)

Few surprises here. A little high in the interior backs and a little low in the exterior. Flanker is low but if you put the entire back row together you come out about event. We're pleased with the tight five representation.