January 7th was the closing cap to the 2018 college football season, with the National Championship victory going to the Clemson Tigers. With football season over and the draft only three months away the question of whose moving onto the Drafts hangs in the air.
Many college football players weigh their options of staying to play out their final eligible year at their university or taking a leap of faith and entering the 2019 NFL Draft. I suspect the latter thought makes their nerves heighten and their hearts race because it could result in total greatness or total failure.
So why not weigh the benefits and the consequences of going pro just a little too soon or for some at the perfect time?
The potential benefits that surround the choice of going into the NFL drafts earlier than need be are the more appealing choice by far, but that doesn't mean many will reap them. Entering the NFL draft earlier than necessary could result in the individual finding wealth at a very young age. If you are pro-worthy, young and healthy, why wouldn't you expect yourself to become a superstar in the pros?
Individuals who chose the route often result in early success which could potentially set themselves up with an income sooner than they would by continuing with college football. Athletes can only stay strong for so long, sports are hard on athletes bodies and the average career length for an NFL player is only about 3.3 years, according to the NFL Players Association. As we all know quarterbacks tend to play longer with less on body contact but still, the NFL only claims an average career of about 6 years! Not much of a huge impactful difference is it? But, if an individual starts younger whos to say they cannot play longer? Or perhaps even reap the benefit of being able to retire earlier!
Before you get swept away from the glory of entering the pros, remember there is a chance of you not being drafted. No matter how many promises are made; college football teams are looking out for themselves and striving to better their overall team. Once the draft begins no one knows for sure what team will draft what individual so the odds go up into the air - anything can happen.
Sadly, if an individual chooses to enter the draft sooner than need be and do not get drafted they are done. Athletes cannot return to college and play their final eligible years after entering the draft. If they are set in the dream of the NFL career, all they can do is continue to work hard and pray to be picked up by someone later on.
Each athlete's circumstances are unique and each difference weighs into their own personal decisions when it comes to entering the draft sooner than necessary. Some may have injuries that could only worsen and lower their chances of being drafted after another year of college football. Some may be scared of being overlooked by a freshman starter their final year. Some may just be set on making money.
For example, in 2016, Jonathan Allen realized that if he drafted early he would lose out on financial earnings he could earn for playing his last eligible year at the University of Alabama. Allen, a finance major at the time, chose to back out of the 2016 draft and chose to play his last eligible year. In result, Allen was right. In the 2017 NFL Draft, Allen was a first-round pick and currently plays as a defensive back for the Washington Redskins. His starting salary even increased just because he chose to play his last eligible college year out strong. Calculations are key.
The 2019 NFL draft starts April 25th and ends the 27th. Let's see who ends up entering and more importantly who ends up being drafting.
