and you have players that have talent to go to pro early, would you encourage them to do it? I know Jim Tressel usually has his players put their names into the draft to see where they are projected to get drafted. I also believe John Calipari said he wants Wall to leave(could be wrong, i dont follow college bball that close).

Yes, you do what is best for the players, not to mention, its ultimatly evry athletes goal, to get to the league, so it will help your recruiting as well.

If they can go pro you let them. Fresh faces are the key to success in college sports.

I would tell them to enter unless if I believe I could help them improve their stock.

i agree with basically what everyone is saying

although i would encourage someone to think about graduating and getting a degree, seeing as the average career of an NFL player is only 2-3 years

and 2-3 of NFL salary will not set you for life, so you better be able to get some kind of decent job

Tell them to go pro. The more players you put in the draft, the better the recruits you get. And it is in the best interest of the players to go pro, that is the goal of all D1 college prospects.

UA5straightin2008 wrote: i agree with basically what everyone is saying

although i would encourage someone to think about graduating and getting a degree, seeing as the average career of an NFL player is only 2-3 years

and 2-3 of NFL salary will not set you for life, so you better be able to get some kind of decent job

Lets also put in perspective that if they go out arly and fizzle out after 2 or 3 years in the pros, they will be able to afford the half or one year of school they have left, where if they get hurt their senior year of college they're basically SOL.

I have a degree, and if given the opporunity I would have left college for a multi million dollar contract in anything fully knowing I may have to go back later. Basically, take the money while you can.

ccrunner609 wrote: Yes....its your job to get these kids to the next level if they are talented enough. The kid is better off with $20 million dollars then a college degree. He can get that later.

You're job isn't to get them to the next level. You're job is to win COLLEGE football games.

Fuck no! Get him sick the night prior to the combines!


Kidding, in all seriousness you absolutely encourage it. The best athletes almost always want to go to a school that can prepare them for a successful NFL career. The school known for discouraging athletes from going pro loses big time in recruiting, and then ironically the whole to-go-or-not-to-go issue evaporates with the talent.

Personally, I think I'd go all Pete Carroll on them and tell them there not ready like he did with Mark Sancez. Not really. But I dont think I would ever encourage it.I would like to have upperclassman experience around as long as I can. Like someone said, its your job to win games. No matter if a players are leaving early, or staying all 4 years like Tyler Hansbrough, if you are winning then you will bring in recruits.

Havent payed close attention to all these labor talks in the NFL, but isnt there something going on where the rookie contracts will start to be structured on performance instead of those big contracts before they even step on the field? So what if they are a bust? They have left college and are screwed. Or would they have another year of college eligibility?

I think you'd encourage it unless you're thoroughly convinced the kid isn't ready

You should encourage it, unless you're Pete Carroll, then you throw a tantrum when they say they're leaving.

If it's in their best interest, then you have to be supportive

Yes and no. I would tell players to test the waters (like Tressel does) and if you're going to be an early pick or if you feel that it's the best decision to leave early, then leave, or if you feel it best to stay than stay. I would never necessarily encourage a player to leave early, but if I had a kid who was a top 5 pick, I'd make sure he knew that he could probably only hurt his draft stock by returning, and that if he does return he had better get a good insurance policy. I would never pressure a kid to stay or go, but if they asked my opinion I'd give it honestly and hope they make the best decision and then be supportive of the decision.