I always thought that if you were good enough to play in the NFL, you would make the draft. But then I found out that you could actually undeclare for the NFL draft. It’s like the Hide-and-Seek taken to a whole different level and I couldn’t help but wonder why someone would choose to undeclare instead of heading forth with the draft.
To get a better understanding of why someone might choose to undeclare, I reached out to a few of my friends who had recently graduated from the NFL. Each of them had their own unique reasons as to why they chose this path. From wanting to focus on their studies for a bit, to needing additional preparation and practice for the NFL, the reasons were always personal and never lacked emotion.
I guess the biggest eye-opener for me was how difficult it is to make the switch from undeclared to declared. The NFL is kind of like a wall you have to climb and when you decide that you’re ready to declare, you have to re-climb that wall and battle for the spot again. All your hard work tends to just get overshadowed by someone better and with more experience. To make matters worse, once you undeclare, you have to pay your own fees to re-enter the draft.
Honestly, though, if you ask me, no matter what anyone says, I’m all for undeclaring. It takes guts to really go against the odds and attempt something this risky. There have been a few lucky ones who have managed to successfully switch from undeclared to declared and have made it into the NFL, even though it’s really hard. With the right amount of hard work, dedication and a passion for the sport, it can be done.
Thanks to undeclaring, a lot of the star players have a chance to shine in the NFL and be the game-changers that they were meant to be. Undeclaring has also made it easier for the NFL to take on a few of the promising talent that they may have missed out on earlier. Instead of giving us a pool of the same players, it now gives us a chance to see different athletes break out and show us their unique techniques to the game.
So if you ever really feel that you aren’t prepared yet or your heart isn’t quite ready to give out its best for the NFL, conserve what you’ve got and undeclare for the draft. After all, the NFL isn’t something to take lightly, and if you don’t feel the readiness for it, don’t force it and take your time to learn and enhance your skills which in the end can only benefit you.
Nevertheless, if you decide to undeclare, do realize that this isn’t going to be the easiest journey of your life. You’ll be fighting for a spot, and if you make it there, probably for the rest of your career. You’ll need to work extra hard and stay focused, especially with the other players striving to take your spot. Remember, when you do choose to undeclare and make it to the draft, you’ll be making a statement to all the other would-be undeclarers out there that somehow, every challenge can be conquered.
In terms of preparing for the NFL if you choose to undeclare, build up your strength, endurance and agility, as these are the key components to success in the NFL. Also, attend various camps, attend training seminars, and take notes, and do some research on what the major teams in the league are looking for in terms of players. That way you have a better understanding and can prepare ahead of time.
No matter the decision, you have to make sure that you stay consistent. Make sure that you keep your skills sharp and you are diligently practicing and training. Remember to be well-rested and hydrated, and also remember to take care of your body and use proper nutrition. And above all else, make sure you have fun and enjoy the process and the ride, because that’s the best part of the journey!