May 21, 2007
Coaches pushing to revise NFL draft eligibility?
San Antonio Express-News columnist Tim Griffin notes that several coaches are trying to push the NCAA to revise its college football eligibility rules relating to the NFL draft.
Under the current system, players who file for the NFL draft lose their college eligibility. The coaches are pushing for a change that mirrors the current college basketball rules, where players may return to play college ball - even if they declare for the draft - as long as they do not sign with an agent.
If the basketball system were in place, underclassmen (or any player with remaining eligibility) could test the NFL draft waters, but return to his school if undrafted or unhappy with his draft position.
I see this as a huge win for players and college teams. While that doesn't guarantee the NCAA will revise the rules, but it is least worth some discussion.
Comments:
TrojanHorse said:
posted on May 21, 2007 11:07 AM — 132.228.195.206 — link — abuse?
I disagree with this rule as it could leave teams in limbo during the period from mid Jan when they declare to April when the draft is done.
Teams need to know who is leaving and who is staying.
Spring practice needs guys who will be there, not guys in limbo. If they are held out, then come back, then they have missed spring practice..
I think they just need to make up their minds by Jan and leave it at that and live with their decisions
posted on May 21, 2007 1:39 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
I hadn't considered the spring practice angle on this decision. Then again, since the momentum is coming from the coaches - you would have to think that they would rather get a few of these guys back for summer/fall workouts than see them go to NFL Europe.
posted on May 21, 2007 2:07 PM — 65.0.125.227 — link — abuse?
You could always just push back the spring practice season awhile...Like, say...one week after the draft?
Zac said:
posted on May 21, 2007 2:07 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
I agree that the rules should be uniform across all collegiate sports disciplines. I also think the rules should be slanted towards student athletes finishing their degrees. They are, after all, STUDENT athletes. I fully realize college football is big business, and college football players contribute a great deal to that end. I also know not all college football players are on scholarship. Many who contribute none-the-less, have to pay their own way. Still, without athletic scholarships, many athletes wouldn’t be able to afford the tuition at many of our colleges & universities. Some might not even qualify for any form of financial aid. The point is a college education is a valuable tool for one’s personal development. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, etc. should strive to encourage staying in school and finishing what is started. After all, the offer of a scholarship by a school is a commitment by that school to provide the means for the athlete’s education. Acceptance of that scholarship by an athlete is a commitment by that athlete to obtain an education at that school, in addition to playing in that sport or those sports within which the athlete is proficient. It’s a shame the current system allows for the breaking of commitments. Not exactly something we want to teach the potential leaders of our future… Just a thought.
posted on May 21, 2007 5:30 PM — 205.188.116.201 — link — abuse?
I don't see this as being any sort of positive for the college football teams. Eventually you'll get to the point where a quarter of your upperclassmen are perpetually declaring for the draft, to test the waters. It will drive coaches crazy trying to figure out who'll they have back after each draft.
The rule for college basketball is a joke, so to emulate it for football is crazy. For the NFL and the players, you can use college football as a de-facto farm system, but once you jump, you're gone forever!
IBleedOrange said:
posted on May 21, 2007 6:01 PM — 65.107.56.104 — link — abuse?
I think that they ought to change the rule so that the kids can come back and play if they don't get picked up in the NFL. As a fan of college football, it is a bit of a shame when a great talent leaves early to go play at the next level, but who are we to critisize them for doing so. Yes, when they accept the scholarship, they become "Student Athletes", but many of them are only "Student Athletes" because they can't continue being an athlete without also being a student. Sure if your goal is to become a chemist or an engineer, you'll have to get a degree to be successful, but if your goal is to become an NFL player the degree is not a must. Knowledge is power. And I truely believe that there is much more to be gained from a college education than the leg up it gives you in the job market, but is it really fair to critisize these kids for not wanting to risk their health and subsequent wealth to get a degree that will be right there waiting for them after they collect the signing bonus?
So Cal USMC said:
posted on May 21, 2007 8:29 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
This might back-fire on College Football.
It might mean that More players will want to 'test-the-waters'... which could created a whole lot more instability among teams/programs.
At this point, some of the would-be-Juniors GO BACK to school BECAUSE there Doesnt exist that option to "return" if they go undrafted.Im not sure about this...
goodolnuma5 said:
posted on May 21, 2007 9:26 PM — 65.60.178.58 — link — abuse?
I prefer the current rule. Gotta agree with you SoCal, just think how many guys will quit goin to class?
gatorhippy said:
posted on May 22, 2007 2:29 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?
After to reading some of the other comments...
I'd still like to see a uniform set of rules for this across the board...
But possibly have other sports (basketball, baseball) follow the football set of rules...
In order to eliminate some of the problems that have been pointed out above...
duelly11 said:
posted on May 23, 2007 10:46 AM — 205.56.145.34 — link — abuse?
If college football is such a big money-maker and has been for years now, why don't we just pay the athletes? That would keep them in school. In fact, some of them would probably be doctors because they would want to stay so long.
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gatorhippy said:
posted on May 21, 2007 10:52 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?Good idea...
Eligibility and signing rules should be uniform across the board in all NCAA sports...