Should players leave for the NFL, or stay in school?
By Tom Hatfield, Razor Sharp Sports
Each and every year the big question for the top underclassmen in the country is should I stay in school or should I go to the NFL. Sticking around for your final season may be a loyal and responsible move, but is it really the smartest move? I don’t think you can look at the decision as a whole; each student-athlete has his own individual responsibilities, situations & goals. Lets take a look at what goes into making that decision and what the best move may be for these underclassmen
First of all, lets take a look at the situation of the Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, who will be returning to Florida for his junior year. First of all, we are talking about a sophomore winning the Heisman for the first time ever. Tebow has a great amount of physical skill, but do his abilities as a QB fit in with an NFL style offense? He has size, speed and smarts, but right now I have to question his throwing ability and his experience. Another year or even two may help Tebow turn himself into the #1 prospect and a true NFL quarterback. The one gamble is the way Tebow plays, will he take a hit that could end his career before he gets to cash his first NFL check?
Then you have a situation like the one of Arkansas RB Darren McFadden. This two-time Heisman runner-up is a no-brainer top 5 NFL draft selection. He has shown that he has all the skills to be an NFL superstar. He has players like Reggie Bush who have similar skills, that are already having success. Plus the life of a Running Back can be short. A Running Back can only take so many hits in his career before he starts losing his effectiveness.
The next situation is that of a probable first round draft pick. This would be someone who may have a chance to move up in the draft next year, but then again may drop. As in the case of Illinois’ RB Rashard Mendenhall or Michigan WR Mario Maningham, I think the positives of playing in the pros far outweigh the negatives that may occur while playing that final year in college. A first-rounders original contract can almost guarantees financial freedom for the rest of the players life, as long as they know how to take care of their money. Also by coming out early, the player also may add an additional year to their playing career. As I said before, you can always go back and finish your college degree, but you may not always have the option of playing pro football. What may happen if this player stays in school. They may have a great year and move up a few spots in the draft. This would increase the players rookie contract some, but figure you lost out on a year of getting paid. They may have a good year and stay about the same in the draft, now same contract and 1 less year on their career. Finally they could have a bad season or get hurt, then they lose out on the big contract or even playing in the pros. The difference in a first round contract and a fourth or fifth round contract is four or five times to maybe as much as 10 times the dollar amount.
The final situation is that of a second or third rounder looking to go pro. This is where staying in school could and more than likely would help the player. By staying in school, you gain an extra year of playing experience, which is what these young players need. Sitting on the bench in the NFL doesn’t help these players at all. Also in the NFL, the contracts are not guaranteed. The signing bonuses for a second or third rounder may look nice to a college student, but over the long haul there is no security there. A college degree always added security to your future, plus an opportunity to move up in the draft and get a first round contract is definitely the way to go.
I understand there are many different situations and each individual has to look at his situation. As a whole I feel if you have the opportunity to be drafted in the first round, go for it, there is always time to go back and finish school after your football career is over or during the off-season. I do think though, if a player doesn’t feel strongly that he will be taken in the first round, the best thing to do is to stay in school and get that degree along with experience. Remember, there is no guarantees in life or with NFL contracts!
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