Jim Harbaugh is easy to dislike. He comes across as self-centered and arrogant, especially for a coach who really hasn't done all that much in college football in a long time. Even Michigan fans don't brag him up for a reason that has nothing to do with his displeasing personality. He is 0-5 against Ohio State.
But Harbaugh scored a few points with me last week with his plan to change the NFL draft. He advocated that college players should be allowed to declare for the draft even after their first season _ like basketball players can do for the NBA draft _ rather than wait the mandated three years from their high school graduation. He also opined that the players should be allowed to come back to their college team if they are not drafted.
I like the first part of Harbaugh's plan a lot better than the second part.
"There are 'early bloomers' capable of competing in the NFL and earning a livelihood at an earlier age," Harbaugh wrote in an open letter that he addressed to the "College Football Community."
"I propose an option that allows them to make the decision that is best for them."
I think of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He led Clemson to the national championship in 2018 as a freshman and almost certainly would have been the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft ahead of Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray. It's crazy that Lawrence had to come back to college last season and even crazier that he has to play again for Clemson in 2020. Why should he have to risk injury in college when he's clearly ready for the NFL? All it will take for him to lose millions is one unfortunate play. You saw what happened to Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa last season. He was fortunate his hip injury didn't ruin his NFL chances. He really was lucky, getting drafted No. 4 overall by the Miami Dolphins and agreeing to a four-year, $30,275,000 deal with a fifth-year option, according to ESPN. He easily could have lost everything.
A lot of sports people think a kid should be able to turn pro out of high school. Remember when players such as Moses Malone, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were allowed to go right to the pros? College basketball is headed back in that direction. The one-and-done rule's time has all but passed. College isn't for everyone. That's why you're seeing a few high school basketball stars going to the NBA's G League rather than to the Kentuckys and Dukes of the college basketball world.
I have serious doubts that a kid could go from high school to the NFL because of the physical, mental and emotional demands of pro football. Art Rooney Jr., the Steelers' former longtime personnel man, confirmed my opinion years ago. "I don't think a kid could do it. The closest I've seen to one who could was Bill Fralic (of Penn Hills High School)."
Fralic went on to become a three-time first-team All-American offensive tackle during his four-year career at Pitt and played nine seasons in the NFL.
Very few college football players are as advanced as Fralic and Lawrence. I believe many, if not most, would elect to stay in college for at least three years, especially now that at least some remuneration will be coming their way because of new NCAA rules. But the ones who think they are ready for the NFL? They should have the opportunity to go for it.
The second part of Harbaugh's plan addresses those players who take their shot at the NFL draft and aren't selected. But it seems impractical to allow kids to come back to college. One, most top, draft-eligible players drop out of school after football season to work out and prepare for the next draft. What happens to a kid's eligibility if he wants to come back after he's not taken in the draft? And two, college football would have to make significant changes to its recruiting calendar. A coach wouldn't know which players were coming back and how many scholarships he had to give until after the draft. There would be potential for chaos.
That's why all college players would need to consider their NFL readiness carefully. Harbaugh's plan allows for them to receive advice from an agent before signing a contract as long as there is no compensation involved. Coaches and family members also would be involved in the discussions.
It is a life-changing decision for every player. But, as Harbaugh wrote in his thoughtful letter, the more options a player has, the more likely he is to make the right decision.
