6 High Schoolers Apply for NFL Draft

[Demon]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpNWZic251BF9TAzI1NjY0ODI1BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-draftunderclassmen&prov=ap&type=lgns

Really weird. I didn't think it'd go this far.

[The Spaz]

None will get drafted.

[Voltron]

I wish all the teams would get together and agree not to draft anyone under a JR. How could it be against the law? I mean they can choose whom ever they want

[chubluv]

So what happens if they dont get drafted or signed as a undrafteed free agent can they go to college and play football or did they just screw them self ?

[Demon]

Are these some of the top high school players in America or just kids hoping for a break?? Sorry i dont fallow high school football. lol

[Voltron]

If they apply for the draft (as a college player not sure about HS) they not only can't play college football anymore they screw the college out of whatever years they have left on their scholarship. The school that they played for is not allowed the scholarship dollars they used on said player until the original 4 years they were supposed to go to that school is over.

[Cntrygal]

I hope they get laughed at.

[Dozerdog]

We should have enetered Mikey into the NFL draft-

Ya never know!!!

[helmetguy]

Originally posted by Voltron
I wish all the teams would get together and agree not to draft anyone under a JR. How could it be against the law? I mean they can choose whom ever they want

It's true that they can choose whomever they want. However, as was ruled in Clarett v. NFL, the League can't summarily deny them the opportunity for consideration based on age alone. What the League CAN do, according to the Clarett Ruling, is to devise a set of measurable standards to determine the physical/mental/emotional preparedness of the candidate. It's anyone's guess if anything like this is in the works at the moment, since the League is appealing the Ruling.

Where the League ran afoul in the first place was that they claimed their original "Three Year Rule" was part of the CBA with the NFLPA, which it isn't. Under the Sherman Anti-Trust and Clayton Acts, the NFL, being a monopoly, is unfairly restraining potential players (independent contractors) from entry into the marketplace using an arbitrarily designated age limitation. Because the NFL is the only football enterprize of its nature in the US, this age restriction is deemed to be an illegal restraint of trade.

That's the "qick and dirty" explanation. Stay tuned.

[SABURZFAN]

high school football to college football is a big step.high school to the NFL is too big of a step.these kids would get killed.what is the average career in the NFL for NFL players?then what will they be doing after their playing days?i hope that they don't get drafted.

[Captain gameboy]

I see some real issues with this. First, I think it's absurd that a high schooler could get drafted with the thought of entering immediately.
But if an NFL team wants to use a late round pick to take a risk on a kid to secure his rights when he's about 20 or so, I can see that. Many would be ready by then. It could go a few different ways

[shelby]

i'd like to see more emphasis put on getting a college education for education's sake. i understand the lure of the NFL and a big salary....but these kids will have to retire from football eventually, so having an education to fall back upon is a good thing.

[The Spaz]

Can you see a High School DE going up against Mike Williams.

[Throne Logic]

Originally posted by gameboy
I see some real issues with this. First, I think it's absurd that a high schooler could get drafted with the thought of entering immediately.
But if an NFL team wants to use a late round pick to take a risk on a kid to secure his rights when he's about 20 or so, I can see that. Many would be ready by then. It could go a few different ways

Exactly how would they get ready? They certainly aren't going to take the time to teach basic skills to these kids. There's just too much to do on any given week with the true professionals.

Now, let's assume that they draft a kid and put him in NFL Europe and the Arena League for 2-3 years. Now, let's further assume that this kid manages to learn and advance in these leagues to the point where he might make a viable NFL player. At that point, his rookie contract is up and that team is looking at having to resign this player who they've spent the time and money on to train. Just doesn't make sense to even try this.

[helmetguy]

Becoming "eligible" for the draft and being actually drafted are two different things, as well. An NFL GM/Owner (unless you're AL Davis or Dan Snyder) would be hard pressed to justify bringing in a high schooler with a draft pick. The draft is only seven rounds, so it is difficult for any NFL front office to justify reaching past all four NCAA competition levels to take a chance on some drippy nosed high schooler. In the end, it's going to be on the kid if he wants to take the risk of throwing away an opportunity to gain experience at the college level before attempting to make it in the NFL. I do have to wonder, though. Of the six HS seniors that have applied for draft eligibilty, how many even had a shot at a college scholarship? Clarett is a bonehead that probably wouldn't have been able to maintain academic eligibility anyway. Are these kids academic risks as well?