If it seems like more players that ever are leaving for the NFL Draft, it’s because they are. The NFL announced this week that a record 135 players are forgoing Division I eligibility to be part of the 2019 NFL Draft this spring.
The league divides entrants into those who have graduated, but have remaining eligibility and undergraduates who are three years removed from high school graduation. A total of 32 graduates are opting to head to the NFL instead of play a final year of college football. As far as juniors and redshirt sophomore without degrees, 103 early entrants have been granted “special eligibility” to be drafted. It’s the combined number that makes the new record. Last year, there were actually more undergrad early entrants (106), but not as many graduates forgoing final seasons of eligibility.
The full list of the 135 players can be found here. A list of the SEC players who declared for the draft is available here.
NFL announces a record 135 players have received early eligibility for the 2019 NFL Draft.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) January 18, 2019
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
