FOOTBALL OPERATIONS A HEAD COACH’s GUIDE TO THE COLLEGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE COLLEGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The CAC actively encourages Because of the many factors that underclassmen to maintain an open can bear upon a player’s selection MISSION dialogue with their college head in the NFL , the Committee coaches throughout the Advisory strongly recommends that The College Advisory Committee and Special Eligibility process. The underclassmen remain in school (CAC or Committee) was created in Committee will provide head coaches to complete their educations and 1994 at the request of the American with player evaluation results to college football eligibility. Statistics Football Coaches Association. facilitate those discussions. indicate that the vast majority of The CAC serves in a limited advisory student-athletes benefit from capacity for underclassmen who Only five requests for evaluations completing their eligibility and are seriously considering early will be accepted per school. obtaining their college degree. entry into the NFL Draft. Additional players on your team may be evaluated on a case-by-case The Committee is comprised of senior basis, subject to Committee approval. personnel evaluators from the NFL’s Players will be advised whether the clubs, together with directors from CAC believes they have the potential the League’s two sanctioned scouting to be drafted in the first or second organizations (National Football round, OR whether they should Scouting and BLESTO). remain in school to develop further as a potential professional prospect The Committee’s evaluation is only an while continuing their education. opinion. It is NOT to be considered binding in any way. Nor does it constitute a guarantee that a player will be drafted in a certain round, or that he will be drafted at all. It is an objective evaluation by experienced professionals who offer an informed assessment of a player’s draft potential.

1 DATES & DEADLINES

Eligible underclassmen may Evaluation requests should be submitted exclusively through the school’s request a CAC Evaluation after Head Coach, Pro Liaison or Director of Football Operations. If a player calls the conclusion of their respective the NFL office to request an evaluation, he will be directed to contact his college football regular seasons. college head coach.

All requests for evaluation must include an official copy of the player’s To ensure a timely evaluation, transcripts from every college that the player has attended. requests should be received no later than Friday, December 15, Requests are submitted through the College Relations Website: 2017. Although requests will be (apps.nfl.net/CollegeRelations). accepted until Monday, January 1, 2018, there is no guarantee that Questions may be directed to the NFL Player Personnel Department an evaluation can be completed at 212-450-2215 or [email protected]. and returned to the player prior to Monday, January 15, 2018, the deadline for applying for special eligibility. REQUESTING ELIGIBILITY AN EVALUATION

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A CAC EVALUATION? A CAC EVALUATION?

• Underclassmen for whom at • Players who do not have remaining eligibility or who are no longer least three full college football enrolled in college. seasons have elapsed since their high school graduations. • Players who are interested in obtaining an evaluation solely for insurance reasons. • Underclassmen who are eligible to return to college • FOR INSURANCE INFORMATION, players should contact the NCAA’s for the upcoming season. Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance Program at: http://www.ncaa.org/, or by writing to the Program Administrator at: • Only underclassmen who are seriously considering HCC Specialty Underwriters petitioning for special eligibility 401 Edgewater Place, Suite 400 Wakefield, for the NFL Draft may request Massachusetts 01880 evaluations. Phone: 800-927-6306 Fax: 781-994-6001

2 3 The CAC limits requests for • Submit all evaluation the January 15, 2018 evaluations to five players per requests TOGETHER. deadline for special school. Additional players on Submitting all of your eligibility applications. your team may be evaluated on a school’s evaluation requests case-by-case basis, subject to together will expedite the • Verify LEGITIMATE evaluation approval of the CAC. We ask for your evaluation process. Please requests. The Head Coach assistance to enable us to provide do not forget to submit should consult with every a thorough, comprehensive and all required academic potential applicant to timely evaluation for your players. transcripts for your players. verify that the request is appropriate. Requests by • Submit your GAME VIDEO. players who have no intention • Encourage players to Please confirm that the Dub of applying for special COMPLETE their education Center at NFL Films has eligibility place an unnecessary and college football received all of your school’s burden on the CAC and delay eligibility. There are no game films. Any delay in the response time for players guarantees that a player receiving game films may who are seriously considering will be selected in the NFL preclude the CAC’s ability to entry into the NFL Draft. Draft. Statistics indicate evaluate your players prior to that the vast majority of student-athletes benefit by THE CAC completing their eligibility. • Submit your evaluation requests EARLY. Although HOW COLLEGE EVALUATION evaluations are completed on a rolling basis, by submitting your school’s requests in a timely HEAD COACHES manner you will ensure the CAC or a representative of the earliest possible response NFL Commissioner’s office will from the CAC. CAN HELP (c) they should remain in contact each player and head The evaluation will be based on school to develop further coach by telephone. The player and the Committee’s best estimate as potential professional head coach will also receive a of the player’s potential to be prospects while continuing written copy of the CAC’s evaluation. drafted. Again, the CAC’s response their education. is non-binding and does not The evaluation is confidential. constitute a guarantee that the The CAC’s evaluation is based Only the player and his head player will be drafted. solely upon demonstrated coach will be notified of the football ability. It does not result. The evaluation will not be Players will be given one of take into account injuries, the provided to or discussed with the following: perceived strength or weakness agents, family members, media, of a particular year’s draft class, or NFL clubs. (a) they have the potential to performances at the scouting be drafted as high as the first combine or pro timing days, Each player is strongly round; or any other factor that may encouraged to discuss the influence a player’s draft status. results of his evaluation as (b) they have the potential well as his decision regarding to be drafted as high as the When an evaluation has been application for special eligibility second round; or completed, a member of the with his college head coach.

4 5 Make Dear Prospect, As an underclassman considering giving up your final year of college the Right eligibility to turn pro, you are about to make one of the most important decisions in your life.

It will change your life forever. Now, more than ever, make sure you Choice/ know all the facts to make an informed decision.

The College Advisory Committee (CAC) is a service provided by the Know NFL to assist you in your decision. The CAC evaluates your football skills and advises you whether you have the potential to be drafted in the first or second round, OR if you should remain a student-athlete the Facts maturing as a potential professional prospect while continuing your education. Entering the NFL Draft as an underclassman poses significant risks. Before making any decisions, be sure The CAC’s football skill assessment is where NFL talent evaluators that your player has all the facts. believe your skills measure up in comparison to the Draft class. You can share this information and discuss it with your parents, friends, • There are no guarantees in the NFL Draft. advisors, coaches and teammates as you weigh your options. • If a player declares for the Draft but is not selected, he loses his remaining college eligibility. We at the NFL cannot emphasize enough the value of completing your eligibility and degree. If, however, you are considering entering • A player’s draft position can improve significantly by the NFL as an underclassman, you should do so with the best continuing to play in college, maturing both physically possible information to make that life-changing decision. and mentally, and receiving his college degree.

Use the resources available to you. Get evaluated by the CAC. Seek sound advice from those you trust. Know your facts. Make an informed decision.

God’s Best,

Troy Vincent, Sr. Executive Vice President NFL Football Operations

6 7 Of the 167 student- athletes who received CAC evaluations in 2017, 59 declared for the Draft (35.3%):

In total, 27 players were given first- or second-round evaluations by the 2017 CAC, 22 entered the 2017 NFL Draft, and 20 were drafted in the first two rounds.

The majority of underclassmen of competition and the length are not physically or mentally of the playing schedule. It prepared to enter the NFL. Most takes a great deal of maturity, would benefit significantly from commitment and talent to The College Advisory another year of college football. thrive in the NFL environment. An additional year of experience Committee is extremely and competition at the college If your student-athlete’s goal accurate when level may improve your player’s is to play in the NFL, his best evaluating the 1st or position in the Draft and enable chance of enjoying a long and 2nd round prospects him to enjoy a longer, more successful playing experience who declare for Why successful NFL experience. may be to complete his undergraduate education and the draft: the NFL Even if they are drafted, his college football eligibility. underclassmen may have a Wants more difficult time adjusting to the myriad of pressures of an Athletes NFL career: the rigors of training camp; mastering an NFL playbook; the struggle to make the roster; to Stay the increased expectations for on-field performance; in School the significantly elevated level Since 2010, 85.0% of student athletes who received a first- or second-round evaluation and declared for the Draft have been selected in the first two rounds.

8 9 WHERE STUDENT ATHLETES ADVISED TO REMAIN IN SCHOOL ARE SELECTED SINCE 2015, 1ST AND 2ND ROUND EVALUATIONS HAVE HAD A DRAFTED ROUND AVERAGE OF 1.89; ONLY THREE PLAYERS HAVE In 2017, 140 total players were advised to remain in school by the College Advisory Committee BEEN DRAFTED LATER THAN THE THIRD ROUND. (3rd-round grade or below). 40 of those 140 players declared for the 2017 NFL Draft after being advised to remain in school.

The average draft position of these players was consistent with the evaluations provided by the NFL clubs (4th-7th round). An NFL player’s monetary 2017 average of around can expect none of their success early in his career $14.5 million per player. Paragraph 5 salary to is often defined by his Second-round picks can be guaranteed, with the draft position, and the expect most, if not all, only guaranteed money overall guaranteed money of the first two years of coming from signing bonus. he can expect based on their rookie contract to be These players cannot that draft position. fully guaranteed, and can ensure long-term financial expect to receive anywhere security with the money Players drafted in the from $3 million-$4 million, from their rookie contracts, first round can expect guaranteed. and must depend on the most, if not all, of their slim chances of earning a rookie contract to be Players drafted outside second contract to do so. fully guaranteed, with a of the first two rounds

Of the 95 Underclassmen undrafted Underclassmen 67 of the 95 Underclassmen who declared for the who requested a CAC grade who declared for the 2017 2017 NFL Draft, 28 went were advised to remain NFL Draft were drafted undrafted (29.5%). Only in school. Most, if not all, (70.5%). 28 of the 67 drafted 10 of the 28 undrafted of these players had non- Underclassmen were advised Underclassmen requested football-related issues that to remain in school by the an assessment from the influenced their decision College Advisory Committee, College Advisory Committee to declare. and only three of these players before declaring for the were selected in the first two 2017 NFL Draft. All ten rounds (10.7%).

10 11 A Risky Decision

In a typical year there are only 256 draft slots, including compensatory draft selections. Underclassmen may be drafted lower than expected, or not at all. The greater the number of players who enter the Draft, the greater the likelihood that a player may be selected in the later Draft rounds, or not drafted at all. The Value of Education

“I made a bad decision. A lot For example, over the past 20 of guys like me are sitting years the average playing careers at home wishing they had by playing position are as follows: Bear in mind that the supply of that degree.” potential middle-round players • , 4.25 years, — Darrington Sentimore, Players who remain in college “Number two, it shows that they In addition, very few NFL contracts exceeds the demand. • , 4.16 years, , University for their senior seasons often are committed to establishing are guaranteed. Players with • , 4.60 years, of Tennessee assume leadership roles on goals and following through on college degrees have longer NFL Each year there are hundreds • Offensive Line, 5.04 years, their teams, a quality that their goals,” Kelly said. “We look experiences and earn higher of players who fail to receive • , 5.10 years, NFL teams value greatly when at the player’s accomplishments. average salaries. Financial a phone call during the Draft • , 4.85 years, selecting players. It’s always a plus when you have freedom results from education, not informing them that they have • Defensive Lineman, 4.74 years, a degree. Teams that are really from the uncertain prospect of an been selected. Many of those Odds of • Kicker, 5.07 years Having a college degree is also successful seem to have the most NFL career. undrafted college players will a significant asset. Chip Kelly, college graduates.” never have the opportunity to Making It former NFL head coach said, A student–athlete should not make an NFL team. Although there are 53 spots on “Number one, intelligence is a “You’ve faced some adversity, underestimate the importance each NFL team’s roster, only a in the NFL huge part of what we’re looking whether it’s in school or on the of having a college degree A “Bleacher Report” article stated, limited number of those are spots for in every aspect of what we football field. It’s evidence that you or allow short-term, often “Darrington Sentimore is full Only 1.6% of all NCAA football players open to competition each preseason. do, whether it’s offense, defense, are driven. It shows what we’re unrealistic incentives to lead of regret. He was a defensive make it to a professional level. Last year, 1,184 players who were or special teams. So the fact that looking for here, that combination to long-term regrets. tackle at Tennessee in 2012. attempting to make rosters were they have a degree proves where of mental toughness and that A good one. He passed up his For players who do make an NFL cut before the NFL season even they are at from an intelligence high intelligence. A college senior season in 2013 because roster, the average length of playing started. That’s an average of 37 standpoint. College graduates show degree is just another indication.” an agent told him he would be experience is 4.74 years. That is players per club. Undrafted free you the intelligence factor.” a middle round draft pick. He just the average. Some positions agents are even less likely to make wasn’t drafted.” are higher, others are lower. an NFL roster.

12 13 The value of staying in school and continuing your education is 1) a degree that brings the opportunity for financial success for a lifetime; and 2) the possibility that your maturity will result in a higher draft selection and substantial financial gain.

The following players requested an evaluation from the College Advisory Committee but did not receive a first- or second-round evaluation. All of these players returned to school and were drafted in the first round the subsequent year, including six players in the 2016 Draft and three in 2017. These players dramatically improved their draft position by returning to school and continuing to develop personally and professionally.

CAC Evaluation Draft Pos College OVR CLUB Player (Year) Year

Davis, Corey WR Western Michigan Remain in School (’16) 2017 5 TEN

Howard, O.J. TE Alabama Remain in School (’16) 2017 19 TB

Engram, Evan TE Mississippi Remain in School (’16) 2017 23 NYG

Rankins, Sheldon DT Louisville Remain in School (’15) 2016 12 NO The Myth of

Joseph, Karl DB West Virginia Remain in School (’15) 2016 14 OAK Doctson, Josh WR Texas Christian Remain in School (’15) 2016 22 WAS “Starting Jackson, William DB Houston Remain in School (’15) 2016 24 CIN

Butler, Vernon DT Louisiana Tech Remain in School (’15) 2016 30 CAR

Remain in School (’15) 2016 31 SEA Your Ifedi, Germain T Texas A&M

Shelton, Danny DT Washington 4th-7th (’14) 2015 12 CLV

th th Every year, some college players are Dorsett, Phillip WR Miami 4 -7 (’14) 2015 29 IND Clock” persuaded to enter the NFL Draft by rd HST Johnson, Kevin DB Wake Forest 3 (’14) 2015 16 misguided advice or self-imposed Dupree, Bud LB Kentucky 3rd (’14) 2015 22 PIT pressure to “start their clocks” in the NFL. Presumably this is a reference LB rd 2015 31 NO Anthony, Stephone Clemson 3 (’14) to procuring successive NFL contracts The average NFL career lasts only 4.74 years. Many NFL players will not Mack, Khalil LB Buffalo 4th-7th (’13) 2014 5 OAK of escalating rates of salary, as well as years of NFL service for pension and remain in the League long enough to DT th th 2014 13 LA Donald, Aaron Pittsburgh 4 -7 (’13) other benefits. receive a second NFL contract. Fuller, Kyle DB Virginia Tech 4th-7th (’13) 2014 14 CHI Of course, there is nothing wrong with Entering the NFL Draft is a calculated Verrett, Jason DB 4th-7th (’13) 2014 25 SD Texas Christian that – people in other industries have risk and does not ensure a secure future. By remaining in college, Gilbert, Justin DB Oklahoma State 3rd (’13) 2014 8 CLV the very same goals. However, in the NFL even those underclassmen who a prospect improves his chances James, Ja’Wuan T Tennessee 3rd (’13) 2014 19 MIA are in fact drafted must still make an of achieving a longer and more Austin, Tavon WR West Virginia 4th-7th (’12) 2013 8 SL NFL roster and play for at least three sustainable NFL career. The higher years to achieve those goals. Remember, a prospect is drafted, the more likely Manuel, E.J. QB Florida State 4th-7th (’12) 2013 16 BUF if a prospect doesn’t make the team, he is to receive a second or third Jones, Datone DE UCLA 4th-7th (’12) 2013 26 GB his clock doesn’t start. NFL contract.

14 15 FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

CONTACT INFORMATION:

College Advisory Committee

Attention: Player Personnel Department

National Football League

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Phone: 212-450-2215

Fax: 212-847-1881

Email: [email protected]

2017–2018 College Advisory Committee

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