“It Requires a Complete Overhaul”- NFL Coach Wants Unselected Players to Return Back to School

Recently, Michigan state coach Jim Harbaugh spoke about the NFL draft. He believes that college football players must have a chance to enter the NFL draft whenever they want. Additionally, if any player is unselected in the draft, they should be allowed to return to school.

In a letter to the College Football Community, Harbaugh made an interesting proposition. He suggested that the league should allow some flexibility for players who want to get into pro football despite still having college eligibility.

As per the NFL rules, a player must be at least three years removed from high school before entering the draft. Unfortunately, NCAA rules does not permit players to return to college football once they enter the draft.

“There are ‘early bloomers’ capable of competing in the NFL and earning a livelihood at an earlier age,” Harbaugh wrote. “The goal would be to create a scenario that makes adjustments for all current and future student‐athletes that puts the timeline for transition to professional football at their discretion and that of their family. I propose an option that allows them to make the decision that is best for them.”

He also wished to see college football players seek advice from agents before signing any professional contracts. The only condition is that the athlete does not receive any compensation. He explained that player should be allowed to enter their name in the draft and return to school if he goes unselected. However, If they are selected, they would relinquish the rest of their college eligibility.

What else did the NFL coach say?

Additionally, many have triggered several debates on the draft age. To his delight, half of the college coaches backed the idea of allowing players to head to the NFL on their own terms.

Todd Berry, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association said, “Some say, ‘Hey let’s keep this [current NCAA] model as it is, and if they want a way to make more than that, they can go pro,’.”

However, he warned that opening up the draft may prompt players to make bad decisions. Especially when they are under the impression that that will get drafted. Changing the rules demands a major shift in the recruiting calendar to allow coaches to manage their rosters.

“We’d have to have a dramatic change in when our signing dates are,” Berry said. “Otherwise, you’d have to make offers not knowing what you’d have to replace. … It would require a complete overhaul of the recruiting calendar.”