This could be the start of a trend. Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey announced that he will not participate in the Sun Bowl so that he can begin his “draft prep immediately,” (Twitter link).
Just last week, fellow top running back prospect Leonard Fournette announced that he would skip LSU’s bowl game so that he could protect his injured ankle in advance of the draft. The notion of a player skipping a bowl game in order to focus on his pro career was once considered crazy, but many have come out in support of McCaffrey and Fournette in light of what happened to Notre Dame star Jaylon Smith a year ago. There is also a growing movement for college players to receive compensation and from a fiscal standpoint, it makes little sense for a player to jeopardize their livelihood for free.
In the cases of McCaffrey and Fournette, both of their teams fell outside of the College Football Playoff. If Stanford and LSU were in the mix for the national championship, they may have reached a different conclusion. In the future, however, it’s not hard to imagine elite prospects saying no to even top-tier bowl games in order to safeguard their careers.
All for it. There’s no love on injuries. Last player I can think of that didn’t free fall because of an injury was Willis McGahee
I understand fully, and even somewhat agree. On the flip side though, I would think this would drop them on some boards too. It makes mores sense for LF already w/the ankle issue, but there is already concern about Ed Jr’s ability to hold up at RB at the next level. Now he is in a way confirming he has those same fears.
Next Tony Gerhart I’m calling it
Toby*
You’re calling it? What prize do you win if it happens? 🙂
Why? Because he went to Stanford like Gerhart? At the very least, McCaffery should become a solid backup RB who can be a return man and/or a pass-catching back with a lot of running upside.
Good move. Bowl games are worthless, outside of the CFP. Way too many bowl games, talent and matchups become diluted, and just another opportunity for the NCAA And corporate sponsors to exploit uncompensated laborers in the players. No reason to risk future earnings to become “Charming Ultra Bowl” champion.