The allure is understandable. The goal for almost every college football player is to eventually earn a paycheck in the NFL.

That being said, going to the pros a season early can be dangerous for prospects not graded as a lock for Round 1. It leaves college eligibility on the table and severely compromises one’s ability to earn a degree one day.

Nobody is suggesting that LSU running back Leonard Fournette return to Baton Rouge. He’s considered a generational talent at his position and will most certainly sign a rookie deal worth generational wealth — if he’s smart with his money, of course. There was nothing left for him to accomplish at the collegiate level.

However, last year 96 players declared early for the draft. Amazingly enough, 30 of them weren’t selected at all. More often that not, they would’ve been better off going back to school. Still, there are a record 103 early entrants this year.

The SEC is responsible for 24 of those 103. Some, like Fournette, are no-brainers. But here are five that might have made the wrong choice.

LSU WR Malachi Dupre

According to the draftniks at CBS Sports, Dupre is being given a second-round grade. Nobody doubts the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder’s measurables.

Nevertheless, his production with the Tigers left a lot to be desired. Dupre has been given a get-out-of-jail-free card to some degree because he was subjected to poor quarterback play more often than not, although it would have been interesting to see how he fared in Matt Canada’s new system and with no Travin Dural to share the spotlight.

Had Dupre dominated as a senior, he likely could’ve been a first-rounder next year. That’s where the real signing-bonus money lies.

Georgia LB Tim Kimbrough

After leaving the Bulldogs prior to the 2016 campaign, Kimbrough’s original idea was to transfer and play elsewhere right away.

But that never happened, and now he’s eliminated the thought of landing at another college program altogether by bolting for the draft. At this point, it would be a surprise if Kimbrough heard his name called in Philadelphia on the big weekend. CBS Sports lists him as the No. 23 inside linebacker, which isn’t a premium position in the pros.

The last time scouts saw Kimbrough, he was the third-leading tackler for UGA in 2015. That’s not much of a résumé for Sunday football.

Texas A&M WR Speedy Noil

Sep 10, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Speedy Noil (2) makes a reception as Prairie View A&M Panthers cornerback Terrence Singleton (25) defends during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Another player that simply seems to be sick of school, not actually ready for the NFL, Noil had his ups and down in College Station.

Highly sought on the recruiting trail, he caught 46 passes for 583 yards and 5 touchdowns as a true freshman. But if you combine Noil’s totals from his sophomore and junior seasons, they don’t equal what he did in Year 1. Suspended from the team on more than one occasion, his star faded with the Aggies awfully fast.

Noil joins former A&M receivers Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones in the draft. He has the lowest grade of the three and probably won’t get chosen.

Florida OT David Sharpe

The Gators have been awful at just about every position group offensively for a few years now, and that includes the big uglies up front.

Sharpe wasn’t even the best O-lineman in Gainesville this past season. That dubious honor goes to guard Martez Ivey, who was second-team All-SEC as a sophomore. As a junior, Sharpe failed to earn any such recognition from the conference. While he’s proven to be durable and experienced, his tape is all over the place.

He played left tackle for UF, but scouts are already projecting Sharpe to move inside to guard. He looks like a third- or fourth-rounder at best.

Kentucky RB Stanley “Boom” Williams

This has a chance to be one of the best drafts in history for tailbacks, even if the presence of Williams has little to do with that fact.

The aforementioned Fournette might be the next Adrian Peterson and likely won’t escape the Top 10. Florida State’s Dalvin Cook is an even better prospect in the eyes of several scouts. Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey is a sure bet for Round 1, too. And this at a time then running backs are thought to be a dime a dozen.

Williams, conversely, has undrafted free agent written all over him. Perhaps next year’s crop of ball carriers wouldn’t have been so loaded.

John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.