Comments on: Plenty of underclassmen won’t be drafted at all

By: bharr170

bharr170 — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:30:23 +0000

I’d make the jump even if I wasn’t going to get drafted either. The UDFA wage scale starts at $75,000. That’s huge compared to many college grads who can’t even find work right now.

If you were getting offered that you would gladly pay off your last 2 semesters for school as well.

By: mackcarrington

mackcarrington — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 10:18:00 +0000

The teams with the smart GM’s who do their due diligence and homework can clean up, with un-drafted free agents. They can get quality players and save a few bucks at the same time.

By: marzmann

marzmann — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 06:43:29 +0000

You can always go back to college. Your window for an NFL career is limited.

By: skinsfanwill

skinsfanwill — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 05:31:10 +0000

RG3 had already graduated when he played his last year at Baylor. He was in Grad school his Heisman year.

By: bigbadal21

bigbadal21 — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 05:24:11 +0000

If a player leaves college for the draft and is not drafted he should be allowed to re-enter school.

By: cometkazie

cometkazie — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:16:03 +0000

One hundred yards to glory.

Nothing else matters.

Sad.

Then they end up like Joe Willie.

By: rtant2013

rtant2013 — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 02:37:00 +0000

@EJ

I somewhat agree with you but most guys don’t want to risk injury playing for free or have their draft stock plummet. Such as Barkley, he would have been a top 10 pick last year if he came out, instead he stays and will now be lucky to be picked in the 1st round. And look at Lattimore, he suffered what could be a career altering injury, but chooses to go pro to get the best rehab he can get from an NFL team. So I can see what your saying would help a lot of kids, but it would also hurt a lot of them too. Plus, if they were actually serious about their education, they usually go back. Cam is finishing his degree, RG3 is getting his masters, Luck finished after he was drafted. So those who actually wanted an education, instead of just playing football, actually do get their degrees. But a lot don’t.

By: mjkelly77

mjkelly77 — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 02:07:12 +0000

Let’s face it. The college game is nothing but a minor league system for the NFL.

By: EJ

EJ — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 01:09:25 +0000

Corey Jeppesen says: Jan 19, 2013 7:19 PM

A college education is so important these days (that is one with an employable major). If the NFL really wants to take a giant leap toward the common good of society, they should require 4 years of college to play in the NFL. Yes, a few may suffer from the rule, but it would really increase a large number of students in America to stay in school.

Good point. I’m sure the NFL doesn’t really care whether or not these kids graduate. What they are all for is major competition, that’s why they adjusted the pre-season roster number per team. The greater # of players = assurance that the best players will be on the field. Which in turn = better ratings on TV and more fans willing to come to the games, which means more sales of NFL gear and so on and so on. Good point though.

By: dalucks

dalucks — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 01:04:05 +0000

That number is way too high. There should not be any 3rd round or below juniors. Juniors should only be allowed to turn pro if they will get drafted in the first 2 rounds.

By: Patskrieg dot com

Patskrieg dot com — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 00:59:23 +0000

Anyone ever thought to ASK these guys why they’d ditch a free education to risk the chance of never even making it to the pros?

By: patssteelersorgiants

patssteelersorgiants — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 00:47:08 +0000

Four years in college won’t do them much good when it takes them 5-6 years to graduate.

By: Corey Jeppesen

Corey Jeppesen — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 00:19:11 +0000

By: myosin10

myosin10 — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 00:06:31 +0000

I miss the XFL

By: orivar

orivar — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 23:27:27 +0000

Won’t be drafted in the NFL that is. Japan’s corporation X-league is gaining some ground, quite a few of our people going over there, that’s where I would go if not drafted.

By: ronaldmexico

ronaldmexico — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 22:44:28 +0000

It would also be interesting to see how many of the underclassmen, drafted and undrafted, were able to make a roster in even the first season.

Vontaze Burfict is one of the underclassmen who wasn’t drafted but still saw a lot of playing time.

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 22:35:21 +0000

Sometimes you find a gem among the undrafted free agents: Wes Welker, London Fletcher, Antonio Gates–plus James Harrison, Ryan Clark, and Isaac Redman on the Steelers current roster. I’ll be thrilled if teams leave talent like that for the taking.

By: nygiantstones

nygiantstones — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 22:34:18 +0000

The number of players drafted each year is about the same. The NFL behavior hasn’t changed, which means the players or agents have. The article, and reader, would be better served with some in-depth insight as to why mire underclass are opting for the draft. Unscrupulous agents? Ill advice from the draft board? Increased player dissatisfaction with NCAA servitude?

By: cometkazie

cometkazie — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 21:48:34 +0000

A more meaningful statistic would be those still playing after several years.

Can you provide those numbers?