The Big Ten’s decision to postpone its football season created ripple effects across the college football landscape. A possible spring season will make it difficult for 2021 draft-eligible prospects. A few such talents opted out of the season when the conference was still hoping to play this fall.
One such player will pass on a not-yet-certain spring slate. Michigan tackle Jalen Mayfield announced he is declaring for the draft ahead of what was set to be his redshirt-sophomore season (Twitter link).
Mayfield rated as a first-round talent on Todd McShay’s first 2021 big board. But he will leave the Wolverines program after just one season of action. The former four-star prospect operated as Michigan’s starting right tackle as a freshman last season.
Mayfield joins fellow Big Ten Round 1 hopefuls Micah Parsons (Penn State), Rondale Moore (Purdue) and Rashod Bateman (Minnesota) in opting out of the in-limbo college football season.
I thought it said baker mayfield for a second
Glad to see those guys choose to earn money for themselves rather than the NCAA.
I agree, the NCAA will destroy a kids knee and sports career and just plug and play, it’s an absolute trash heap of old men stealing years of talent from kids
He’ll only earn minimum wage at McDonalds or Walmart if he’s a bust JJ. These kids need to stick it out and get the four years of education as a backstop in the event their dreams don’t materialize.
Scrubs who will go undrafted need to stick it out.
If you can go pro, go pro.
They can always go back to school with the six or seven figure incomes they make in the meantime.
Michigan’s coaching staff makes more than any player on 1 game playing a D3 school.
The NCAA is modern day slavery. Mostly black young adults are earning their mostly white coaches and admin people billions of dollars annually.
As for the McD’s and Wal-Mart comments, you can go as high up the food chain you want in Fortune 500 companies. If you only choose to be a cook or cashier, fine. But they’ll pay for your education and have unlimited opportunities to become individually wealthy.
Slavery? That’s a bit melodramatic don’t you think? No one is forcing the kids to play. There is a return for playing by way of the education. Why does no one think the High Schools are evil in this same regard? Do you not think HS Athletic programs can be a big money maker particularly in Texas and other areas where it is a big draw?
If it would make financial sense to establish a minor league that would draw HS talent away from the Colleges and pay the athletes it would already exist. Why do you think it doesn’t exist? Clearly College programs would be the most hurt by such an entity, have they created an effective obstacle to the creation of such a league, if so how?
I don’t think its overreaching. You’re correct, they don”t have to play NCAA ball. Yet they have a million voices telling how good they are and they can make it pro! Very enticing for a teen. It would have swayed me.
As for high schools, they don’t even come close to the same numbers as colleges/universities. A bad Illinois or Vandy, or Maryland et al. All of the bottom feeding college football or basketball universities rake in hundreds of millions yearly w/o even attempting to be 500.
But to say ‘you get freed education, while we bank in billions’ is pretty damn close for modern slavery.
NBA has it right by having a junior league where they can get paid.
You’re only considering it slavery because you don’t place a value on a free college education. What’s more, a lot of athletes get accepted into schools that they wouldn’t normally get accepted to, without being an athlete — yet another benefit. Also, have you thought of all of the scholarships that are given out to those athletes who DON’T help them win games and/or make money?
Generally speaking, a 4 year college diploma costs $100K. Easy ball park number. $25k/year. The assistant coaches quadruple that, in the big schools. But who is at risk? The players, and if they get hurt, they can pull scholarships.
As for being accepted to schools, they couldn’t get into. Are you saying their grades aren’t good enough for those schools? If so, they should go to a school where their grades can get them into.
It’s been stated by college football and basketball players, they don’t have enough time for both school and sports. So getting an art degree, or English degree, or something that really doesn’t help in careers; other than a piece of paper.
It’s funny how these guys who complain about not having time for both school and sports always find time to pull all night parties and spend most of their waking hours chasing girls around the campus.
You’re right. And 18-22 year olds on a sports scholarship, partying is next up! That’s why they only get a piece a paper, & not an education.
True
If you are a possible Day 1 or Day 2 selection, why would you risk playing in the spring. Hire an agent and a trainer and work your ass off for the combine.
Anyone else should stay in school and get the free year of education. If they play in the spring, the game tape may help them jump up.