@mjp28 said:

Yea, a guy talks to a guy who talks to the uncle.

Plus, correct me if I am wrong, does not the NFL maintain some kind of service to college players that advises of their potential in the draft that does not jeopardize their eligibility?

Edit: it looks like if they did not already have something they are going to be starting it up.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/9/26/13065252/nfl-underclassmen-draft-rule

@the-gipper said:

Rules, schumules. If you don't think half these players are talking to agents before their last game you are probably being naive.

Maybe a few higher prospects that think that they can get a jump on things....like what color Mercedes or Bentley they want to get. Getting caught before you get to play in some big games is the immediate end of your college "career". The better agents tend to steer away from that behavior.

....now if your favorite uncle "Cameron" is kind of curious well some of that mischief might still happen, who knows?

NCAA rules forbid student-athletes to agree, orally or in writing, to be represented by an agent or organization in the marketing of his or her athletic ability or reputation until after the completion of the last intercollegiate contest, including postseason games. The NCAA prohibition includes an agreement that is not effective until after the last game.

NCAA rules forbid a student-athlete or his/her representative from negotiating or signing a playing contract in any sport in which the athlete intends to compete, or to market the name or image of the athlete.

NCAA rules forbid a student-athlete to ask to be placed on a professional draft

list, whether or not the athlete withdraws his or her name before the draft,

whether or not the athlete is actually drafted and whether or not the athlete signs a professional contract. However, in the sport of basketball, an enrolled student-athlete may enter a professional leagues draft one time during his or her collegiate career without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league and the student-athlete declares his or her intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 30 days after the draft......continued in NCAA rules....

@mld-woody said:

Yes....but I am not sure if he was or would be cleared to come back. Still, basically the same concept: will a player sit out his last (or last several) college games to protect his pro career potential. This kid did. His injury was a factor.

I am just speculating on whether or not a thing like this could begin to happen more in the future...even with people who have not sustained a prior injury.

I suggest that agents could certainly start talking in the ears of some players and may very well recommend such action(after having tried to convince them to sign with them....ergo protecting their own best interests as well.

@mld-woody said:

There was a guy that played for Oklahoma that did it....but he had beeb out with a concussion, and though he was supposed to be allowed to play, he declined to do so.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18059207/charles-walker-leaves-oklahoma-sooners-prepare-nfl-draft

@the-gipper said:

Well, I don't think that discussing Peppers winning these various awards and discussing his pro potential is too far off topic.

Lets just take Peppers as an example (not that I am saying that he is thinking about doing it): His UM team gets shut out of the CFP. They have maybe the Orange Bowl to play. He says "no thanks, I will stay home and train and avoid injury so as to not endanger my potential Top 5 draft pick status....have a great game guys...but winning or losing it don't matter one whit."

Would you blame the guy...or anyone in that position? Would he be considered a quitter....or a smart guy that is not putting millions of dollars in jeopardy?

I always try to think what would you do if it were you? If I'm a big top 5 or 10 draft pick would I play an extra game meaningless or championship game and risk a potential personal or family fortune?

Would skipping a game hurt my draft status or not? Can I or should i buy an insurance policy to underwrite any risks involved?

Kind of like NFL and even somewhat MLB players now skipping all star games with questionable injuries. If you start to see a trend of the college athletes leaving in increasing numbers it might start to undermine the bowl system and maybe championships...afterall they're not paid to play right? All they get is a big fat scholarship and opportunity to get a degree that mom and dad or huge loans have to pay for for the "non-atheletes".

Sure isn't 1960 anymore.

@mjp28 said:

Well, I don't think that discussing Peppers winning these various awards and discussing his pro potential is too far off topic.

Think about this trend that may start happening (may have already started): You have a fairly top rated pro prospect football player, either a senior or junior or even sophomore eligible for the draft.

But, his team is out of the running for the national title. All he has left to play in is a "meaningless" (an now all Bowls except the CFP are that) Bowl game.

He says: "I'll take a pass on playing in the bowl game to concentrate on my training to become a pro and also to avoid any potential injury in that meaningless game".

Lets just take Peppers as an example (not that I am saying that he is thinking about doing it): His UM team gets shut out of the CFP. They have maybe the Orange Bowl to play. He says "no thanks, I will stay home and train and avoid injury so as to not endanger my potential Top 5 draft pick status....have a great game guys...but winning or losing it don't matter one whit."

Would you blame the guy...or anyone in that position? Would he be considered a quitter....or a smart guy that is not putting millions of dollars in jeopardy?

@the-gipper said:

I know what "this" thread is about. I changed the subject....as I am privileged to do. I thought I made that clear. Winning some conference college award is all well and good......how does that help us if he is drafted by the Cleveland Browns?

Browns could likely be better off with the pure DB Lewis? than the tweener Peppers.

(though I don't think it matters.....I want the Browns to take Trubisky....and Peppers would likely go before they are up again...so Lewis may be a choice the Browns have to look at anyway, and not Peppers.)

Just kidding of course some topics have related subjects of interest that can add to the thread...or should I say are admissible.

The Big Ten Awards started by Woody I guess can be stretched over to how they will be beneficial to our dear Brownies, regardless if they want to include or ignore that J. Peppers actually played college football as a lightweight LB.

@the-gipper said:

They're listing Peppers as a LB because that's what he is and that's what he plays, weakside LB (most of the time) If he isn't that he'll move out over a #2/#3 as the slot man.

@mjp28 said:

I know what "this" thread is about. I changed the subject....as I am privileged to do. I thought I made that clear. Winning some conference college award is all well and good......how does that help us if he is drafted by the Cleveland Browns?

Browns could likely be better off with the pure DB Lewis? than the tweener Peppers.

(though I don't think it matters.....I want the Browns to take Trubisky....and Peppers would likely go before they are up again...so Lewis may be a choice the Browns have to look at anyway, and not Peppers.)

@mld-woody said:

How much do you think an average NFL LB weighs. From ESPN:

A comparison of Pro Bowl rosters shows 4-3 linebackers declined in average weight from roughly 248 pounds to 240 since 2001.

So, he would need about 35 pounds anyway.

And he has crazy potential as what? A punt returner?

@the-gipper said:

Again, the only thing is WTF are they doing listing Peppers as a LB? Having him listed as a college LB is all fine and well, but, again, my only care for him is what he might do for the Browns as a pro player (though I do like his kick return game). He is listed as 6'1 207 lbs. Unless he puts on like 40 lbs he aint' playing NFL LB.

Can it be fair to say that Jordan Louis is actually a better pro prospect at his position than Peppers?

You answered the question in you first sentence with your second sentence, lol. They're college awards.

He also wouldn't need 40 lbs. We've been over that.

Lewis*. He has a higher floor, for sure. But Peppers has crazy potential.

"Some" good college players either physically, mentally or emotionally just not cut out to play NFL football, year after year the lists of failed drafted players prove that.

Even look at the occasional Heisman "busts", great on Saturday but can't or don't want to cut it on Sunday.

Can it be fair to say that Jordan Louis is actually a better pro prospect at his position than Peppers?