Can a Football Player Go Back to College if Not Drafted

NFL draft - College eligibility

Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 5:08 AM, , User Since 244 months ago, User Post Count: 18402

Help me out here. Why has it been decided that a college player must "declare" for the draft? It seems logical and fair to the players to make every player three years out of High School eligible. If they get drafted, they can choose to go pro or return to college. It appears the current system is set up to benefit/protect the NFL, and screw the players and colleges. Is there something I'm missing?
Discussion
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 5:49 AM, , User Since 226 months ago, User Post Count: 109606

72and82 wrote: It appears the current system is set up to benefit/protect the NFL, and screw the players and colleges. Is there something I'm missing?

The current system is the NFL's system, so it makes perfect sense that they would create a system which benefits them entirely.
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 6:10 AM, , User Since 74 months ago, User Post Count: 3635

I think if a player goes undrafted, and thus will not be a professional, they should have a chance to go back and play in college - the only minor league system there is for the NFL.
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 6:16 AM, , User Since 226 months ago, User Post Count: 109606

AU0103 wrote: I think if a player goes undrafted, and thus will not be a professional, they should have a chance to go back and play in college - the only minor league system there is for the NFL.

Many players that leave early take money and benefits dedicated to boosting draft stock that make them professionals even if they aren't drafted.

Also, just because you aren't drafted doesn't mean you're not a professional.

The NFL sets the rules up the way they have them so bluntly to keep crazy situations from happening that severely hamper their plans and schedules.
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 6:28 AM, , User Since 216 months ago, User Post Count: 6333

Whether to allow an undrafted player to return to play college ball is entirely up to the NCAA. The NFL has no authority over that decision.
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 6:50 AM, , User Since 157 months ago, User Post Count: 34939

The draft is a few months after signing day.....I'm not an expert by any means in the whole sign, place, grey shirt, yada yada, but if a person declared for the draft and didn't drafted couldn't that potentially mess up your scholarship allotments?

For example you have room for 20 people in this class, but you have 4 people declare early, so you bump that up to 24 and sign them all on signing day. Afterwards you've got two players of the four that do not get drafted.....What happens to those guys?
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 7:04 AM, , User Since 216 months ago, User Post Count: 6333

Right, it is up to the player to follow the NCAA's rules or not. My point is just that the NFL has no authority to make rules for the NCAA.

> lepidusvilla wrote:

> > NewYrkTiger wrote:

Whether to allow an undrafted player to return to play college ball is entirely up to the NCAA. The NFL has no authority over that decision.

> http://www.collegesportsscholarships.com/2013/04/25/ncaa-bylaws-affect-whether-a-college-football-player-declares-for-the-nfl-draft.htm

It's actually up to the player. The NCAA sets the rule that a player must remain an amateur. Signing with an agent removes that amateur status. Not signing with an agent virtually guarantees that you will not be drafted.

In theory if a player declared, did not sign an agent, took no money, and was not drafted they could return to college. A good solution to this would be for the NCAA to somehow fill the agents role without losing the player's amateur status.

Also declaring for the draft is good for the college team as well as it indicates who is definitely leaving (with some eligibility left).
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 1:13 PM, , User Since 244 months ago, User Post Count: 18402

boscokt wrote:

72and82 wrote: It appears the current system is set up to benefit/protect the NFL, and screw the players and colleges. Is there something I'm missing?
The current system is the NFL's system, so it makes perfect sense that they would create a system which benefits them entirely.

Why is the NCAA complicit with the NFL on this matter?
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 1:21 PM, , User Since 226 months ago, User Post Count: 109606

72and82 wrote:

boscokt wrote:

72and82 wrote: It appears the current system is set up to benefit/protect the NFL, and screw the players and colleges. Is there something I'm missing?
The current system is the NFL's system, so it makes perfect sense that they would create a system which benefits them entirely.
Why is the NCAA complicit with the NFL on this matter?

I'm not sure what they're complicit in or why they would care. Neither the NCAA or NFL make a junior declare early.

The NCAA says you have 5 years to play 4, and you can play as long as you abide by these laws.

The NFL says we don't want to see you until you are at least 3 years removed from HS.

The player decides he wants to forego his NCAA eligibility, and the NFL checks whether he is eligible to play in their league
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 2:16 PM, , User Since 224 months ago, User Post Count: 45146

I'm not sure what all the debate is about.

1) The NFL Sets a deadline for the player to declare his intentions of being in the draft. In this case I believe the date is January 15th.

This date is set to allow teams to start to put together their list of draft eligible players. Things like East/West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl, Campus Pro Days and then later team meetings and physicals will all take place prior to the April Draft.

So the teams need some time to do their homework.

2) On the University's part as others have said the January 15th date really only gives the effected school 2 weeks notice that they now have another scholarship to offer toward their full complement of 25. In most cases the schools probably have an idea of their departure.

3) From the NCAA's perspective---They require nothing from the athlete. Just stay an amateur according to their rules. So for argument sake don't hire an agent, don't accept perks such as travel or meals and other incentives.
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 2:38 PM, , User Since 226 months ago, User Post Count: 109606

lepidusvilla wrote:I do think that the NFL would love to have Mr. Fournette or Mr. Watson next year but is not willing to negotiate for that.

Fo real?
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 11:47 PM, , User Since 185 months ago, User Post Count: 10739

lepidusvilla wrote:

boscokt wrote:

72and82 wrote:

boscokt wrote:

72and82 wrote: It appears the current system is set up to benefit/protect the NFL, and screw the players and colleges. Is there something I'm missing?
The current system is the NFL's system, so it makes perfect sense that they would create a system which benefits them entirely.
Why is the NCAA complicit with the NFL on this matter?
I'm not sure what they're complicit in or why they would care. Neither the NCAA or NFL make a junior declare early.
The NCAA says you have 5 years to play 4, and you can play as long as you abide by these laws.

The NFL says we don't want to see you until you are at least 3 years removed from HS.

The player decides he wants to forego his NCAA eligibility, and the NFL checks whether he is eligible to play in their league

A point of contention here - the NFL and NFLPA collectively bargain for draft eligibility. Most people assume that the NFL set the 3 year waiting period in order to protect their "free farm system:"
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/31/nfl-not-considering-a-change-to-the-three-year-rule/

The more accurate reason for the NFL's position is that the league wants to protect its free farm system. The three-year rule forces players to play college football. Which keeps college football coaches happy, by preventing the NFL from pilfering a work force that gets only room, board, tuition, and snacks in return for extensive efforts and physical sacrifices.
This is not accurate at all. In 1990 the NFL began allowing underclassmen to be drafted through policy. Now that the policy is in the CBA in order for either party (the NFL or NFLPA) to change that portion they would have to concede something to the other party. I doubt the NFLPA wants to give up something to allow younger players to take their jobs since they have yet to make it a priority (that I am aware of) in their negotiations.
I do think that the NFL would love to have Mr. Fournette or Mr. Watson next year but is not willing to negotiate for that.

It's not just the owners, you're right, but the three-year requirementis something both parties arrived at, and it's definitely something the owners want.

Compare the case to basketball, which was taking guys right out of high school. The rule change t require one year out of high school was very much pushed for by the league, even if the players' union ultimately agreed to it.

And to get back to the original question about why a player can't see how the draft shakes out and then return to school if he wants: it's because the NFL and the NCAA aren't set up for the benefit of the players. The very idea of a draft works against the players' interests, and so do the NCAA's amateur rules.
Posted on Jan 15th, 2016, 8:22 AM, , User Since 185 months ago, User Post Count: 10739

lepidusvilla wrote:

boscokt wrote:

lepidusvilla wrote:I do think that the NFL would love to have Mr. Fournette or Mr. Watson next year but is not willing to negotiate for that.
Fo real?
Absolutely. A rookie contract with $0 guaranteed means very little in the NFL. Signing underclassmen to fill out rosters with young, cheap labor would be very helpful for teams; look to how many teams in this league had seasons derailed over the past year due to injuries. Then there's the teams that lack talent at QB, WR, RB that could have used more this year.

With the wage scale in place for the draft, I do wonder if maybe the league would consider relaxing the 3-year rule since rookies now present less of a financial/cap space risk.
Posted on Jan 17th, 2016, 8:08 AM, , User Since 244 months ago, User Post Count: 18402

---------------------------------------------
--- lepidusvilla wrote:

heelspur wrote:

lepidusvilla wrote:

boscokt wrote:

lepidusvilla wrote:I do think that the NFL would love to have Mr. Fournette or Mr. Watson next year but is not willing to negotiate for that.
Fo real?
Absolutely. A rookie contract with $0 guaranteed means very little in the NFL. Signing underclassmen to fill out rosters with young, cheap labor would be very helpful for teams; look to how many teams in this league had seasons derailed over the past year due to injuries. Then there's the teams that lack talent at QB, WR, RB that could have used more this year.
With the wage scale in place for the draft, I do wonder if maybe the league would consider relaxing the 3-year rule since rookies now present less of a financial/cap space risk.

I doubt many sophomores would be drafted. Instead if there were no draft rules I would think that after the draft NFL teams would try to sign them as undrafted rookies. They would get offered to come to camp and get paid for offseason workouts. If they're cut with no guaranteed money the team would get the chance to get in early on great talent at basement prices.

Of course if a player gets cut as an undrafted rookie they cannot return to college and their playing days are done. They'll be without an education or a job playing pro ball. Sometimes the real world is a lot worse than the safeties in place by the NCAA and NFL.

---------------------------------------------
It seems clear that the rules currently in place are set up to protect the NFL and the universities. The NCAA has a huge cash cow, and essentially free labor to man it. The NFL has a free farm system. The players are pawns in game of life.
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 6:46 AM, , User Since 130 months ago, User Post Count: 4385

NewYrkTiger wrote:
Whether to allow an undrafted player to return to play college ball is entirely up to the NCAA. The NFL has no authority over that decision.

http://www.collegesportsscholarships.com/2013/04/25/ncaa-bylaws-affect-whether-a-college-football-player-declares-for-the-nfl-draft.htm

It's actually up to the player. The NCAA sets the rule that a player must remain an amateur. Signing with an agent removes that amateur status. Not signing with an agent virtually guarantees that you will not be drafted.

In theory if a player declared, did not sign an agent, took no money, and was not drafted they could return to college. A good solution to this would be for the NCAA to somehow fill the agents role without losing the player's amateur status.

Also declaring for the draft is good for the college team as well as it indicates who is definitely leaving (with some eligibility left).
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 2:08 PM, , User Since 130 months ago, User Post Count: 4385

NewYrkTiger wrote:
Right, it is up to the player to follow the NCAA's rules or not. My point is just that the NFL has no authority to make rules for the NCAA.

100% in agreement with you there.NFL draft eligibility rules are collectively bargained as well, a fact many forget (non-accusatory statement).
Posted on Jan 14th, 2016, 2:24 PM, , User Since 130 months ago, User Post Count: 4385

boscokt wrote:

72and82 wrote:

boscokt wrote:

72and82 wrote: It appears the current system is set up to benefit/protect the NFL, and screw the players and colleges. Is there something I'm missing?
The current system is the NFL's system, so it makes perfect sense that they would create a system which benefits them entirely.
Why is the NCAA complicit with the NFL on this matter?
I'm not sure what they're complicit in or why they would care. Neither the NCAA or NFL make a junior declare early.
The NCAA says you have 5 years to play 4, and you can play as long as you abide by these laws.

The NFL says we don't want to see you until you are at least 3 years removed from HS.

The player decides he wants to forego his NCAA eligibility, and the NFL checks whether he is eligible to play in their league

A point of contention here - the NFL and NFLPA collectively bargain for draft eligibility. Most people assume that the NFL set the 3 year waiting period in order to protect their "free farm system:"

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/31/nfl-not-considering-a-change-to-the-three-year-rule/

The more accurate reason for the NFL's position is that the league wants to protect its free farm system. The three-year rule forces players to play college football. Which keeps college football coaches happy, by preventing the NFL from pilfering a work force that gets only room, board, tuition, and snacks in return for extensive efforts and physical sacrifices.

This is not accurate at all. In 1990 the NFL began allowing underclassmen to be drafted through policy. Now that the policy is in the CBA in order for either party (the NFL or NFLPA) to change that portion they would have to concede something to the other party. I doubt the NFLPA wants to give up something to allow younger players to take their jobs since they have yet to make it a priority (that I am aware of) in their negotiations.

I do think that the NFL would love to have Mr. Fournette or Mr. Watson next year but is not willing to negotiate for that.
Posted on Jan 15th, 2016, 7:21 AM, , User Since 130 months ago, User Post Count: 4385

boscokt wrote:

lepidusvilla wrote:I do think that the NFL would love to have Mr. Fournette or Mr. Watson next year but is not willing to negotiate for that.
Fo real?

Absolutely. A rookie contract with $0 guaranteed means very little in the NFL. Signing underclassmen to fill out rosters with young, cheap labor would be very helpful for teams; look to how many teams in this league had seasons derailed over the past year due to injuries. Then there's the teams that lack talent at QB, WR, RB that could have used more this year.
Posted on Jan 15th, 2016, 12:45 PM, , User Since 130 months ago, User Post Count: 4385

heelspur wrote:

lepidusvilla wrote:

boscokt wrote:

lepidusvilla wrote:I do think that the NFL would love to have Mr. Fournette or Mr. Watson next year but is not willing to negotiate for that.
Fo real?
Absolutely. A rookie contract with $0 guaranteed means very little in the NFL. Signing underclassmen to fill out rosters with young, cheap labor would be very helpful for teams; look to how many teams in this league had seasons derailed over the past year due to injuries. Then there's the teams that lack talent at QB, WR, RB that could have used more this year.
With the wage scale in place for the draft, I do wonder if maybe the league would consider relaxing the 3-year rule since rookies now present less of a financial/cap space risk.

I doubt many sophomores would be drafted. Instead if there were no draft rules I would think that after the draft NFL teams would try to sign them as undrafted rookies. They would get offered to come to camp and get paid for offseason workouts. If they're cut with no guaranteed money the team would get the chance to get in early on great talent at basement prices.

Of course if a player gets cut as an undrafted rookie they cannot return to college and their playing days are done. They'll be without an education or a job playing pro ball. Sometimes the real world is a lot worse than the safeties in place by the NCAA and NFL.