Let's say a player doesn't get to play much. He can get an ND degree and bolt and use his senior/5th year at school where he will play more and get a Master's degree.
Incoming players to ND are vetted academically and have some proven skill.
Unhappy dudes like Jurko leave and open up a roster spot without dragging things out.
It seems to have benefitted us so far.
We've now even gotten a guy back from the portal. People don't like new things, but I don't see how ND or any ND player has been hurt by it. If anything it has helped.
one would expect better outcomes for both players and teams.
But, students can and do transfer. Always seemed unfair to restrict that.
Also, totally unfair for the NFL to restrict teams from drafting sophomores. Someone should sue about that...Trevor Lawrence.
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You're right, of course. And the percentage going to the NFL is higher at the top schools.
The reality is that many are being done a disservice as there are a great number banking on a pro career who should have gotten the college education offered them...
The NFL should have a minor league and college should be about student athletes with at least minimal academic requirements and milestones to play.
I fully realize that I am talking only to myself and that things aren't changing...
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From a logical standpoint, I've never understood how the "3 years removed from high school" rule in order to be drafted has passed the legal sniff test. It's clear that this rule is designed to force players to play in college, and basically take advantage of a free farm system. And, realistically, there are many of these players who simply do not belong at the colleges they're enrolled in (or in college at all). They should have their own "D League" or some variation thereof where these players can go as an alternative to faking it through a bogus system.
Selfishly, I'd be sad to see that the quality of college football would dip a bit, as many of the elite players we see each year would not be in college if they were allowed to enter the draft at 18 or 19. But maybe if that were the case, and the sport wasn't such a monolith at so many schools, they'd quit sinking hundreds of millions of dollars annually into these programs while hiking attendance costs to unsustainable inflation levels.
is a hell of a jump from high school to college let alone college to the pros. Yes maybe the skill players MAY be somewhat ready but even that is not nearly the case in the great majority. Look at the struggles of wide receivers and quarterbacks early on. If there was a minor league it would take away the ability to get a degree which most players value anyway and at least give them a chance to succeed for the 35 years after a short career is over. 70% of NFLers go bankrupt within something like 3 years after they retire. The degree gives them a greater chance to avoid this.
I explicitly suggested a D League or Farm System for the N.F.L. I never advocated dropping 18-year-olds in on Sundays.
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In the past, these kids were unilaterally locked into a one way 4 year street based on a decision they made as an 18 year old, often times with the "adults" in the room overtly lying to them with no consequences. If they wanted to change, the kids had to pay a price while everyone else in this system can move around freely.
Now these kids have options when the things don't pan out or the school moves in a different direction at the coaching/scheme level.
My observations have been the schools with a strong culture and comradery are having a better go of the transfer portal than those teams with internal issues (ie:Tennessee). It may be a sign that ND has a tight/healthy team atmosphere.