3rd year players: Who’s in, who’s out … As noted in an earlier report today, Notre Dame OT John Alt became the latest top 3rd year prospect to put his name earlier this afternoon. Of course, underclassmen not already automatically eligible for the 2024 draft have until January 15th to file paperwork with the NFL office in order to be made available to the pros this coming April; however, we get the sense that the number of underclassmen formally announcing their intention to turn pro is way down compared to this time last year. Indeed, only a half dozen or so 3rd year players have indicated so far that they’ll be foregoing their remaining eligibility and entering this year’s draft. Here is a list of the top 3rd prospects indicating who has declared for the draft and who hasn’t.
At the same time, there have been very few players in any class indicating they won’t be playing in their team’s bowl game and most of those that have are transferring rather than opting to get an early start on their draft prep. One factor, certainly in the case of upperclassmen either remaining in school or transferring is the extra year of eligibility that every player was given as a result of the missed Covid season. Needless to say, though, the other factor at play are the NILs as for the first time really, players can make money- and in many cases a lot of money – staying in school.
