If Ja'Marr Chase's decision to opt out is sign of things to come, dose of reality should come with it
This COVID thing has a way of speeding up things we viewed as inevitable but thought we had more time.
Remote working. Retail disruption. Curbside pickup. Movements for more power to college football players.
They existed before. They’ve accelerated exponentially this year.
There’s a notion among coaches, fans, media and even NFL agents that ultra-talented sophomores opting out belongs in the same category. LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s choice could indeed foreshadow a paradigm shift.
But if that’s the case, the cream of the college crop and their inner circle best be wary.
This isn’t a new conversation. Jadeveon Clowney was viewed as NFL-ready after his sophomore season at South Carolina earlier this decade. Chase Young at Ohio State had a similar trajectory. We’ve heard it said ad nauseam Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has little to nothing to prove to NFL scouts this season.
Chase isn’t even the first potential first-rounder to opt out this year. Minnesota wideout Rashod Bateman, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell are on a growing list of guys foregoing their true junior seasons.
Two years ago, Buckeyes rush end Nick Bosa left early following an injury to prep for the draft.
Bateman, Parsons and Gainwell, for their part, cited the pandemic and its associated risks to their careers and families as the impetus for their decisions.
Chase’s has been a little murkier; his official statement announcing his choice didn’t get into specifics. Speculation swirled that former Tigers and NFL safety Ryan Clark or opportunistic agents got in his ear.
Chase’s father denied both rumors, telling a local radio station the decision came down to “common sense.”
“You got the COVID going on, you got long-term effects of COVID, you have generational change in money out there, you have the injury bug, you have questions about the season,” Jimmy Chase said on Baton Rouge-based ESPN 104.5 FM show “Off the Bench.” “There’s too many questions and too many unanswered things going on. To put yourself in that situation may not be the ideal thing. That’s what’s so hard.”
That’s the Chases’ reasoning, at least on the record. But there’s little doubt elite high school players are watching this situation closely. Even if we get to 2021 and have the virus under control, what’s to stop the next superstar from putting up gargantuan numbers his freshman and sophomore seasons then taking a year off to train and prep for the draft? Especially if this crop produces multiple first-rounders.
At least one major college football coach’s answer? Nothing.
“No doubt,” Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi told CBS Sports. “Now we’ve opened it up for these agents who can continue to drill, drill, drill, drill, drill, drill. ‘You had a bad at practice? Coach yelled at you a little bit?’ All the sudden, ‘I’m out of here.'”
Agents agree.
“It’s already happening,” an unnamed agent said in a Yahoo Sports column this week.
Reporting from CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd and Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm in both of those articles led them to say this will be a trend for years to come.
Of course, it’ll depend on the situation. In general, it’s easier for skill players than, say, an offensive lineman to have their body NFL-ready before they turn 21. What are their college team dynamics like? Do they have a chance to compete for a championship? That might sound idealistic, but try telling that to Lawrence or Justin Fields, who have advocated strongly for college football to be played this fall amid a pandemic.
There’s also the notion of development. The NFL has long looked to major college football to serve as a de facto minor league system of sorts. What does a full year outside that environment look like, and how does it prepare him for a long pro career?
Another question — do NFL teams care if a player is a “team guy?” Maybe it’s archaic, but isn’t there something to be said for a player who loves the sport, his teammates and his school enough to put in a good junior season even if his individual stock is already sky-high?
Perhaps that’s wishful thinking in this age of individualism. The risk of injury — and, in these days, the unknown long-term effects of COVID-19 to boot — are very real.
Narduzzi and other coaches seem to view this is a negative. But wouldn’t you take a year from a guy like Chase as a trade-off? It’s hard to imagine LSU fans swapping 2019 for an extra season of Chase catching passes from Joe Burrow.
And how many guys are we talking about here? Ten, 15, 20 at the most each year? That number could change.
But even a one-year wonder can have positive recruiting impacts for years to come. You can bet P.J. Fleck will be pointing to Bateman’s success every time the Gophers coach sits down with a prospective wideout.
But 2020 has taught us something else: Personal agendas often trump the common good. Simply because a sophomore is told he’s draft-ready doesn’t mean he should just jump ship.
Those who cover amateur sports have come across far too many parents with an inflated view of their kid’s potential. It’s a well-intentioned viewpoint that can easily run amok. So as Edholm points out, athletes would be wise to consult objective scouting databases in making their decisions. A tweaked College Advisory Committee calendar that allows sophomores to take part would be beneficial, as well.
All told, Chase wasn’t the first to do this, and he won’t be the last. But in a vacuum, this trend shouldn’t change college football as we know it.
COVID has already taken care of that.
My response? So what! People need to realize elite 5* players play CFB to prepare for their career; the NFL. First off, Pitts coach can kick rocks. He doesn’t have 1 player on his roster he has to worry about sitting after 2 yrs.
If a kid has shown in 2yrs he’s a sure-fire 1st round NFL draft pick, it’s his right to do what’s best for him. The NFL career is a very short one relative to every other sport. You’ve got to maximize your earning potential as early as possible.
If a kids heart isn’t in it he’s at greater risk of injury. You can’t play major CFB at half speed while others are all out. I’d rather such a player for my tm not suit up. He’s not helping the tm so give someone else the opportunity.
People whine about everything to do with kids playing CFB. Can give them an increased stipend as it may be pay for play (it’s not). “If you don’t like the trade offs in CFB, no ones forcing you to play!” “Don’t come if you got a problem!” What?? You want to leave early for the NFL?? “You’re killing CFB!!” Ridiculous….
Can’t give a stipend…
Nice rant. BTW, they do get stipends along with Pell Grants. The grants are to pay for expenses like books and food for most students. They don’t have these expenses so it’s free spending cash. You are right though. If the player thinks he runs a bigger chance getting injured in his 3rd year than the first 2 he should sit.
Stipend? They already receive benefits worth hundreds of thousands dollars. Sounds you like you want them to paid pro athletes.
100% times 10 agree with everything you said! What stood out the most is, why have someone suit up and play if their heart isn’t in it 100%, give someone else behind you a chance. Chase was already and will still be a top 15 overall pick. Although opting out may seem selfish, but players like him, didn’t ask for this Covid crap to destroy the 2020 season.
I just hope he stays in premier football shape.
And I don’t think most people have much of an issue with players opting out of this season. But if this were something we continued to see during normal seasons, that’s when most people would have a problem with it.
Can’t stress my agreeance anymore..This seasom, the players have sort of a “pass”. But we’re talking about 19-20yr olds.. If it continues, I forsee the NCAA “tweaking” the National Letter of Intent.
I’m all for the players, BUT because there is a free educational ride included, a line in the sand has to be drawn at some point.
Perhaps it’s time to revisit the eligibility rules for the draft. Copy the baseball rules. Straight out of high school or 2 years in college. Very few…if any would actually get drafted out of high school. I would also suggest letting players return to college if they don’t get drafted (at least once).
I endorse your opinion 100%. I would also be okay with the college basketball rule of 1 and done.
If I could have been ready to be an accountant and financial planner after my freshman year of college, nothing other than the certification could have prevented me from doing the job. I guess I was a 3-star academic talent, because it took 6 years and a Master’s before I was almost ready.
Ohh, I don’t know. Parties, women, beer, beaches and women would have been enough to keep me away from Accounting and Financial Planning for another couple of years.
Don’t forget women
The nfl isn’t going to do that. There is no benefit for them.
Many people don’t realize that it is the NFL that enforces the three year rule. Not the NCAA.
I believe it’s due to the strength and size of the players. There is a major difference between a 19yr old that goes to class, studies, hits the weight room for a few hours and watch film (extra on their spare time), vs a NFL player that all he has to do is watch film all day and work out.
You will find a few college kids that are NFL ready after their Frosh yr, but that would set a dangerous precedent for the ones that aren’t physically ready. The NFL made the right decision by declining then Maurice Clarette’s challenge. That decision more than likely saved a slew of players afterwards.. But then it comes down to the position.. Should a Punter or PK have to wait 3yrs vs an interior lineman, WR or RB? It’s a murky debate, but I think the 3yrs removed from prep school is the right way (as of now)
At the end of the day, you really should be able to do whatever you want to. There’s no rule that states non-student athletes on academic scholarship have to stay in college for a certain amount of time in order to drop out and pursue their career. It’s just exclusive to scholarship student athletes who want to play at the next level.
Do I think there are that many football players that can be ready at the next level right out of high school? No, but having rules in place preventing the option tells me it’s more about the money and less about being in favor of the student athletes. I think if youre going to do it, it should be like basketball.
I’d go with straight to the NFL or stay in college until you graduate. If you can graduate in 2 1/2 years, then great, you can leave after that.
Yeah, one of the major reasons for opting out is that agents can immediate provide “loans” to be paid back when the NFL contract is signed.
I don’t blame them at all. Provide for your families, young men.
Good point. I think Cubelic nailed it. Agents are running rampant. They’re not supposed to contact underclassmen, but we know it happens. And I’m sure they are giving good advice.
There really is no precedent for this. Guys will have gone about a year and a half without playing ball. That’s not good for a skill set. I expect most of those that opt out to drop in the eyes of those doing the draft as those that are playing rise.
Agreed. Really good year for raising your draft stock if you are a fringe draft player. Less total players in this draft and plenty that aren’t going to play that you could surpass with a good year.
It will be like HH basketball players were entering the draft. A few like Garnett made it big. Most weren’t drafted and then couldn’t a scholarship. They have already stated that Newman was rated as high as 1st and as low as 3rd. They now have his ceiling at 3rd and as low as 6th. Chase will still go high but he can lose money if other players ball out.
Honestly, players can do what they want and they should have the option to leave college if they are deemed “nfl-ready.” However, in my opinion, college players who do that are selfish considering the hours they put in with their teammates and coaches in pursuing a common goal to win championships. When I put myself in these players shoes I can understand why they are making these decisions. Who wouldn’t take the option of earning millions of dollars rather than stay in school playing for no money. It’s what’s best for him, and sometimes that is always the best choice.
This is me giving a crap.
I’m done.