This topic has been a hot button issue when it comes to college football players and the NFL. My friend asked me if a football player can skip college to go to the NFL – and my answer is yes, and no. Depending on the circumstances it can be done, but it also carries some risks.
To start off, it’s important to understand that according to the NCAA’s rules, a person can’t be drafted out of high school and play in the NFL. Technically, only those who have been out of high school for three years are eligible. That means, any football player who wishes to pursue the NFL after high school must go to college first.
But, there are exceptions. For example, my friend’s brother plays professional minor league football and can get called up if he performs well. He chose to skip college because he believed he had already developed the skills needed to become a professional football player. He also didn’t want to take the time and invest the money in college when he didn’t need to.
It’s a testament to his hard work and dedication that he could make it work and get the opportunity to play minor league football. He was okay with the risks that came with it and I have to admire that.
On the other hand, there’s a lot more to football than just being able to play the game on the field. Things like understanding the rules and learning the strategies can help players become better. College can also give football players the opportunity to learn those things – something that could be beneficial in the long run.
Furthermore, there’s also a throughout idea some people have, related to sports that your body will deteriorate if you don’t utilize the time you have in college to strengthen and nourish your body. That is to say, the knowledge as well as physical skills the athlete develops while in college can be advantageous when playing the NFL.
That doesn’t mean college athletes are forced to go to college if they want an opportunity to play in the NFL, but by doing so, they’re providing themselves with an extra edge. And that makes sense, because we’re talking about professional level in football after all.
In conclusion, it is possible for a football player to skip college and go to the NFL, but the chances are not as high as if one had gone to college in the first place and it carries a number of risks.
To sum up, going to college can benefit football players in more ways than one. Not only can they hone their skills and understanding of the sport, they can also have access to resources like strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists and medical staff. Furthermore, while there is a chance a football player can skip college and still make it to the NFL, it isn’t the safest choice and has a higher rate of failure.
In addition, another thing to consider is that college players have to be at least three years out of high school to be eligible for the NFL, which means they can miss out on a lot of experience and opportunities if they decide to skip college altogether. So, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to decide if it’s worth it.
Ultimately, whether or not a football player should skip college to go to the NFL will depend on their own individual circumstances. It’s important to weigh the risks and opportunities and decide what is best for them in the long run.