A historic number of college football athletes are choosing to enter the NFL draft before completing their college eligibility. This year, 135 players have made the decision to bypass their remaining years in college, a significant increase from 119 players last year. The NFL released the official list on Friday, with 103 underclassmen gaining eligibility for the draft taking place from April 25th to April 27th while some players have already graduated but are still eligible.
Many players, including Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray from Oklahoma and Ohio State Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, made their intentions known before the NFL’s Monday deadline. Murray, who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the MLB draft last June, has yet to decide on his future with the A’s but is eager to pursue a career in the NFL and is expected to be a first-round pick.
Of the 103 underclassmen who have declared for the draft, there are three fewer players who meet the eligibility criteria compared to the previous year. The NFL’s eligibility rules have seen little flexibility, with only a special allowance made in 2014 when 98 underclassmen were granted eligibility. In 2013, 73 players fell short of meeting the requirements, and in subsequent years, the number of underclassmen entering the draft without completing their degrees decreased to 95 in 2014 and 75 in 2015.
