Players not old enough

A federal judge ruled that the NFL's rule prohibiting players who are less than three years out of high school from entering the draft was illegal because it violated antitrust laws. This decision could have a harmful impact on both professional and collegiate football.

Although the ruling may be correct legally, 18 and 19 year olds are not prepared to play in the NFL. Football is a brutal contact sport that requires athletes to mature physically. An 18 year old is not as strong and fast as a 26-year-old NFL player. The youthful athletes will not be able to compete, nor will they be accustomed to the high level of competition. The older stronger NFL veterans could even injure younger players who are not ready for the speed of the professional game.

High school graduates and college freshman will not make an immediate impact when they make the jump to the NFL. High school players will not be accustomed to the complex defensive and offensive schemes of professional football. A player should only move on to the pro ranks if has a chance of starting and making an impact on a team. Players fresh from high school will spend their first few seasons in the NFL just learning and adapting to the game.

Additionally, freshmen and sophomores in college will be leaving college early to make money in the NFL. This will lower graduation rates and drain the college game of talented players. Instead of players investing in four years of college football and education, they will be corrupted by the hopes of making money in the NFL.

Players who loose their college eligibility to enter the NFL draft will eliminate the chance of returning to the college game if they do not make an NFL team. Several highly gifted athletes may succeed, but many more will be unprepared and will destroy their dreams of being NFL stars.

Basketball, baseball and soccer differ from football in the physical and mental demands of the sport. The jump from high school basketball to professional basketball is not as complex as from high school to professional football. Young soccer superstars like Freddy Adu are able to compete with adults because a younger athlete can acquire the skills required for playing soccer at a high level.

Hopefully, high school players and college underclassmen will realize they are not ready for the highly competitive NFL and will remain in college to develop their skills. NFL owners and coaches must work to discourage young players from entering the draft. The NFL should take steps to show athletes the benefits of staying in college and the low probability of succeeding professionally if they enter the draft after a year in college. With the dedication of the NFL and NCAA the negative impacts on football due to this ruling can be limited and prevented.