Bielema has a point; if a player never becomes a professional athlete, why shouldn’t he be allowed to return? But the idea raises questions. Would the players be allowed to hire agents? How would their withdrawal from school to prepare for the draft be treated? As a sabbatical?

 

Here’s the bigger problem: With reduced risk of being unwanted by the NFL and being unable to go back to college football, more underclassmen will declare for the draft. Even if many return, they will have missed the spring practice session.

 

A good idea quickly becomes impractical primarily because of the current structure of college football. If/when (when) college football is forced to treat college football players as employees, it will make a lot more sense. The players will be paid — and they will have contracts of three, four, or five years in length with the universities.

 

When those contracts expire or otherwise terminate, they’ll be able to leave for the NFL. Then, if they’re not drafted and if they still have time under their maximum eligibility of four years as players, they can sign another contract for whatever time they have left at the college level.

 

Should undrafted underclassmen be allowed to return to college? | ProFootballTalk

I want to say yes but like the article points out I have no idea how to make it productive/consistent.

 

Anyone?

All sports or just football?

All sports or just football?

 

I think we should deal with just football for this thread.

Just football no, leave things the way they are.

How would that work for schools? If they have a fair number of players take off to try for the NFL wouldn't that affect their scholarships? The numbers are limited so if they have to hold positions open for potential returnees then aren't they limited by how many offers they can make?

How would that work for schools? If they have a fair number of players take off to try for the NFL wouldn't that affect their scholarships? The numbers are limited so if they have to hold positions open for potential returnees then aren't they limited by how many offers they can make?

 

I think it would be difficult to have a max cap due to the uncertainty of how many may or may not go to the NFL. At best they could allow a maximum number that could be offered per year and let the total number float.

I could see this happening: underclassmen will be allowed to return to school and play football and must forfeit their football scholarship...

 

I could see that happening, but imo they shouldn't change it

If they did it, IMO it should go like this...Player has to stay enrolled in school. All training should be done at said school with school training staff. Can't hire an agent. Spring practice and your position on the team should be handled by each coach/player individually or have a program rule. (This would become a recruiting pitch real quick if College coaches forced the players hand on spring practice.)

 

Thoughts...If a player is good enough to possibly be draftable, missing spring practice won't kill him.

Colleges already do pro days, so underclassmen can take part in these without leaving their campus.

 

As soon as a player withdraws from school or hires an agent, they are no longer eligible to come back to school.