The lure of starting a pro career early apparently isn’t quite as tempting for underclassmen now as it was in the days before college stars could profit off their name, image and likeness.
This month’s draft features 58 early entrants, the lowest number of players to enter the draft with college eligibility remaining since 2011. That includes 54 underclassmen who were granted special eligibility by the NFL and four others (Miami defensive back Kamren Kinchens, Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry, Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy and Clemson running back Will Shipley) who earned their degrees in three years.
That represents a dramatic shift, considering at least 100 underclassmen entered the draft ever year from 2016 to 2022. The 2021 draft had a record 100 underclassmen selected.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if those numbers drop even more next year,” Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said.
Abu Ghraib military contractor warned bosses of abuses 2 weeks after arriving, testimony reveals
Chen, Marin advance to semis of BWF World Tour Finals
Fresh Cut Flowers in Northwest China Provided for Market at Home and Abroad
Highlights of First Vocational Skills Competition of Jiangxi in E China
Lab chief faces sentencing in Michigan 12 years after fatal US meningitis outbreak
China Downs Japan for 3rd Straight Victory at Women's Volleyball Worlds
Beijing Sets up Fever Clinics in All Community Health Service Centers
Chinese Prosecutors Protect Senior Citizens from Fraud
China to End Use of Digital Travel Code Starting Tuesday
An NPR editor who wrote a critical essay on the company has resigned after being suspended
China Focus: China Holds National Commemoration for Nanjing Massacre Victims