Will AAF and XFL go after college undergrads?

[royboy]

AAF just starting, and XFL slated for early 2020
What's to stop them from signing a college player who has completed less than the 3 years that the NFL currently requires for draft eligibility?
Does this provide a minor league of sorts, and allow prospects who are not interested in college the opportunity to play, develop, and get paid?

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Excellent questions. A legit minor league option would be a great idea though.

 

[diontechristmas]

No restriction that I’m aware of, but I think few will take this route. There have been a handful of guys who didn’t play NCAA/NAIA football at all who had success in the NFL. Joe Horn comes to mind as I believe he only played JC ball. I recall a DL drafted by the cardinals years ago who took a similar route. If a young man has no interest in attending college, and he feels this is the best route for him I’m all for it.

 

[Connorpozlee]

If I recall correctly, this is what moved the NHL draft age from 20 to 18. The WHA was taking 18 year old kids, forcing the NHL to also move in that direction. I could easily see that happening here.

 

[diontechristmas]

No restriction that I’m aware of, but I think few will take this route. There have been a handful of guys who didn’t play NCAA/NAIA football at all who had success in the NFL. Joe Horn comes to mind as I believe he only played JC ball. I recall a DL drafted by the cardinals years ago who took a similar route. If a young man has no interest in attending college, and he feels this is the best route for him I’m all for it.

Erik Swan was the guy. He played semi pro ball before being drafted by the cards. No college ball whatsoever.

 

[NC2017]

AAF just starting, and XFL slated for early 2020
What's to stop them from signing a college player who has completed less than the 3 years that the NFL currently requires for draft eligibility?
Does this provide a minor league of sorts, and allow prospects who are not interested in college the opportunity to play, develop, and get paid?

If Tony Carr can leave school for the minor leagues so can football kids. The portal, along with the Fields matter, have changed things.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

AAF just starting, and XFL slated for early 2020
What's to stop them from signing a college player who has completed less than the 3 years that the NFL currently requires for draft eligibility?
Does this provide a minor league of sorts, and allow prospects who are not interested in college the opportunity to play, develop, and get paid?

Would be a good idea. The AAF seems custom made for this, noting their rules are set up to keep players healthier - shorter games, no kick offs, etc. I think it depends on the money. Do HS bball stars have the option to play in Europe if they want? And if so, how many do? I would imagine most top players go the college route, noting it's only for one year (semester really) in basketball, while it's three in football.

 

[sluggo72]

AAF just starting, and XFL slated for early 2020
What's to stop them from signing a college player who has completed less than the 3 years that the NFL currently requires for draft eligibility?
Does this provide a minor league of sorts, and allow prospects who are not interested in college the opportunity to play, develop, and get paid?

right now the AAF is following the NFL eligibility rules, so they have to wait 3 yrs. I dont think the AAF wants anything to do with taking kids right out of HS.

 

[Obliviax]

last I saw, neither team was ruling out playing younger kids but neither team is doing so at this time. Both commissioners said that they are not bound by the NFL's rules (and don't have the collective bargaining agreement to enforce it). I recall one league floating the idea of annual $150k contracts.

 

[sluggo72]

last I saw, neither team was ruling out playing younger kids but neither team is doing so at this time. Both commissioners said that they are not bound by the NFL's rules (and don't have the collective bargaining agreement to enforce it). I recall one league floating the idea of annual $150k contracts.

Trevor Lawrence won’t be joining The Alliance.

Even if the Clemson quarterback were inclined to jump to the level of football where he could be paid, the fledgling Alliance of American Football won’t be giving him a landing spot. According to an AAF spokesman, the league will be applying the same eligibility rules as the NFL.

This means that no players will be eligible to play in the AAF until at least three years after the graduation of their high school classes.

It’s not a surprise, given that the AAF seems to be trying to position itself to be a full and complete complement to the NFL, with the apparent goal of becoming the unofficial NFL minor league. (Or, possibly, an acquisition target by the league, making it the official NFL Jr.)

This approach creates an even greater opening for the XFL to distinguish itself from the AAF. With the XFL already one year behind the AAF, luring Lawrence for the 2020 debut would be a great way to capture attention, eyeballs, dollars, etc.

At a time when Lawrence would have no viable pro alternatives, the XFL would be competing financially only with the wholesale value of an “education” that Lawrence does not need, and may not want. Besides, joining the XFL would include an opportunity for Lawrence to profit from his name and likeness, something he won’t be able to do for as long as he plays college football.

So there’s the free advice for Lawrence in a nutshell: Play college football for one more year, strike the best possible deal with the XFL for 2020, and then prepare for the 2021 draft.

www.profootballtalk.com

 

[Obliviax]

Trevor Lawrence won’t be joining The Alliance.

Even if the Clemson quarterback were inclined to jump to the level of football where he could be paid, the fledgling Alliance of American Football won’t be giving him a landing spot. According to an AAF spokesman, the league will be applying the same eligibility rules as the NFL.

This means that no players will be eligible to play in the AAF until at least three years after the graduation of their high school classes.

It’s not a surprise, given that the AAF seems to be trying to position itself to be a full and complete complement to the NFL, with the apparent goal of becoming the unofficial NFL minor league. (Or, possibly, an acquisition target by the league, making it the official NFL Jr.)

This approach creates an even greater opening for the XFL to distinguish itself from the AAF. With the XFL already one year behind the AAF, luring Lawrence for the 2020 debut would be a great way to capture attention, eyeballs, dollars, etc.

At a time when Lawrence would have no viable pro alternatives, the XFL would be competing financially only with the wholesale value of an “education” that Lawrence does not need, and may not want. Besides, joining the XFL would include an opportunity for Lawrence to profit from his name and likeness, something he won’t be able to do for as long as he plays college football.

So there’s the free advice for Lawrence in a nutshell: Play college football for one more year, strike the best possible deal with the XFL for 2020, and then prepare for the 2021 draft.

www.profootballtalk.com

Thanks...I think the XFL is doing the same but leaving the door open. The AAF seems to want to compliment the NFL whereas the XFL isn't so inclined . As I recall, Mo Clarette had no path to sue the NFL owners (management) because the Union (the labor) was in agreement with management to limit player eligibility based on the collective bargaining agreement. I don't know if the XFL and/or AAF have a collective bargaining agreement to protect them. But for now, at least, they are really small potatoes.

 

[interrobang]

Trevor Lawrence is making more money at Clemson than he would in the AAF

 

[psuno1]

How much I see the AAF on the the NFL Network the NFL must want it as there minor league system, I can see them going after grad students.

 

[The Spin Meister]

No restriction that I’m aware of, but I think few will take this route. There have been a handful of guys who didn’t play NCAA/NAIA football at all who had success in the NFL. Joe Horn comes to mind as I believe he only played JC ball. I recall a DL drafted by the cardinals years ago who took a similar route. If a young man has no interest in attending college, and he feels this is the best route for him I’m all for it.

---
There was a wideout from Sharon Pa years ago that never went to college and played several years in the NFL after he old enough. He had blinding speed but "had the IQ of a fence post" and couldn't get into any college, even Pitt. When he made the NFL he always said he went to the U of Texaco since he was pumping gas for a couple of years! lol Good sense of humor.

Bonus points for IDing the part in quotes.

 

[blion72]

Trevor Lawrence won’t be joining The Alliance.

Even if the Clemson quarterback were inclined to jump to the level of football where he could be paid, the fledgling Alliance of American Football won’t be giving him a landing spot. According to an AAF spokesman, the league will be applying the same eligibility rules as the NFL.

This means that no players will be eligible to play in the AAF until at least three years after the graduation of their high school classes.

It’s not a surprise, given that the AAF seems to be trying to position itself to be a full and complete complement to the NFL, with the apparent goal of becoming the unofficial NFL minor league. (Or, possibly, an acquisition target by the league, making it the official NFL Jr.)

This approach creates an even greater opening for the XFL to distinguish itself from the AAF. With the XFL already one year behind the AAF, luring Lawrence for the 2020 debut would be a great way to capture attention, eyeballs, dollars, etc.

At a time when Lawrence would have no viable pro alternatives, the XFL would be competing financially only with the wholesale value of an “education” that Lawrence does not need, and may not want. Besides, joining the XFL would include an opportunity for Lawrence to profit from his name and likeness, something he won’t be able to do for as long as he plays college football.

So there’s the free advice for Lawrence in a nutshell: Play college football for one more year, strike the best possible deal with the XFL for 2020, and then prepare for the 2021 draft.

www.profootballtalk.com

it is a shame they are caught up in the 3 year rule, as it perpetuates the go to college for football model. we should want the guys who have no interest in college being able to move directly into this developmental league. we want the 5* players who do not belong in any university to be in a minor league. that would be true for BB and FB. to make this work, you need the AAF to have good pay, signing bonuses and a guaranteed full scholarship to go to college in the future if the player ever wanted it. remove any incentive to play college football except for those who want a degree.

 

[BBrown]

AAF just starting, and XFL slated for early 2020
What's to stop them from signing a college player who has completed less than the 3 years that the NFL currently requires for draft eligibility?
Does this provide a minor league of sorts, and allow prospects who are not interested in college the opportunity to play, develop, and get paid?

I'm wondering whats going to stop rival coaches from whispering into a players or family members ear that things are greener on their side of the fence? Lets just say I would put nothing past Narduzzi (we know he cant recruit), Dantonio, Harbaugh or Kelly.

 

[blion72]

right now the AAF is following the NFL eligibility rules, so they have to wait 3 yrs. I dont think the AAF wants anything to do with taking kids right out of HS.

how does the 3 yr rule work? - i.e. is it you must be 21 years old or 3 yrs out of HS, so a kid graduating at 16 would be eligible at 19 yrs old?

 

[BBrown]

No restriction that I’m aware of, but I think few will take this route. There have been a handful of guys who didn’t play NCAA/NAIA football at all who had success in the NFL. Joe Horn comes to mind as I believe he only played JC ball. I recall a DL drafted by the cardinals years ago who took a similar route. If a young man has no interest in attending college, and he feels this is the best route for him I’m all for it.

Chris Hogan is the first name that came to my mind.
Antonio Gates is another.

 

[BBrown]

Trevor Lawrence is making more money at Clemson than he would in the AAF

Pretty much goes for all the starters in the SEC, especially Bama and Auburn.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Will undergrads who are there for football only bypass college? Some very well may just do it.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-tabbed-as-affiliate-for-aafs-birmingham-iron/

Apparently, nfl teams are affiliated with AAF teams. Was not aware of this. Is this a true minor league then?

 

[katchthis]

Otis Sistrunk, University of Mars. Never attended college, at least on this planet.
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/otis-sistrunk-happy-in-life-after-mars/

 

[Op2]

Th XFL says here that they aren't bound by pro league rules.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/08/xfl-eligibility-rules-nfl-restrctions-age-college-football-draft

If Trevor Lawrence plays in the XFL in 2020, which starts in Feb 2020, that would be like an 8 month season with a 1 month break in the middle. That's a long time. Maybe he could play at Clemson in 2019, skip the XFL in Feb 2020 and then play in the XFL in Feb 2021, leading up to the NFL draft in Apr 2021. Then again that would mean an entire year without football. Clemson wouldn't let him play spring ball in 2020 if they knew he wasn't coming back for fall 2020.

 

[NittanyOpp]

AAF is a partner with the NFL. The AAF is looking for more money and backing from the NFL therefore they will not screw with them on this. The XFL on the other hand plays by their own set of rules.

 

[NittanyOpp]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-tabbed-as-affiliate-for-aafs-birmingham-iron/

Apparently, nfl teams are affiliated with AAF teams. Was not aware of this. Is this a true minor league then?

Right now just partners. NFL gave them opportunity to put games on their network etc. Bigger picture if league is somewhat successful will be for NFL to invest in it and then we'd get the minor league situation. Also, would be they want to put the XFL out of business, the AAF can help.

 

[psuro]

I think kids still need to develop their bodies and three years out of high school seems like a logical number.

 

[sluggo72]

Th XFL says here that they aren't bound by pro league rules.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/08/xfl-eligibility-rules-nfl-restrctions-age-college-football-draft

If Trevor Lawrence plays in the XFL in 2020, which starts in Feb 2020, that would be like an 8 month season with a 1 month break in the middle. That's a long time. Maybe he could play at Clemson in 2019, skip the XFL in Feb 2020 and then play in the XFL in Feb 2021, leading up to the NFL draft in Apr 2021. Then again that would mean an entire year without football. Clemson wouldn't let him play spring ball in 2020 if they knew he wasn't coming back for fall 2020.

one of PSU best, Pete Kulger did that very thing, and I believe he then went back to the 49ers!!

Kugler was in no shape to take on an angry parent. He had just finished 11 straight months of playing nose tackle, consecutive seasons with the 1983 49ers and 1984 USFL Philadelphia Stars. His weight was down from 265 to 238 pounds

 

[diontechristmas]

Chris Hogan is the first name that came to my mind.
Antonio Gates is another.

Stephen Neal of the pats as well. He was a wrestler in college (beat Brock Lesnar) and then played guard for the Pats for about a decade. There are a few guys who played other sports at the NCAA level, and some who never attended a 4 year school.

 

[sluggo72]

Stephen Neal of the pats as well. He was a wrestler in college (beat Brock Lesnar) and then played guard for the Pats for about a decade. There are a few guys who played other sports at the NCAA level, and some who never attended a 4 year school.

going back in time, there was Dick 'no college' Hart who made all Rookie team with the Eagles in 1971...
https://dublinlaurenscountygeorgia.blogspot.com/2016/10/dick-hart.html