COLLEGE OUTREACH PROGRAM

The NFL College Outreach Program goes far beyond preparing players for the NFL — it establishes a high standard of excellence for players to pursue on the field and in their personal lives.

As a part of this program, former NFL players visit colleges and universities to have frank discussions with student-athletes about what to expect at the next level, how the NFL Draft process works and how to make informed decisions as underclassmen.

Former NFL stars like Hall of Famers Aeneas Williams and Cris Carter and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent, Sr. drill home the importance of getting a college education from their personal perspective. They emphasize how hard it is to make it to the NFL and how short the typical playing career can be. Advice from former and current stars shows student-athletes the connection between success in school and success in life.

“By age 25, most NFL players will have no more economic use for the only skill they ever developed. An NFL career is a magic ticket for very few superstars.”— Troy Vincent, Sr., Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations

COLLEGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

To help underclassmen who are considering entering the NFL Draft, the league developed the College Advisory Committee, where NFL scouts project where a player will likely get drafted — if at all.

The board evaluates up to five underclassmen from each school, though evaluations for additional players are considered on a case-by-case basis. Limiting the number of players the committee evaluates allows the scouts to focus on those players with a realistic chance and provide more accurate projections.

The board’s assessments keep some players from making an ill-advised decision to leave college early. In most cases, student-athletes are encouraged to stay in school for another year to get their degrees and improve their draft stock. As more underclassmen declare for the draft, the advisory committee’s role becomes increasingly important.

TAKING THE NEXT STEP

The NFL’s player development process doesn’t end when a student-athlete's collegiate career comes to an end. Top prospects showcase their talents for scouts at events like the Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl, NFLPA Collegiate All-Star Game and the Regional and National Combines.

The league also connects former players with opportunities for careers in coaching, scouting, and officiating — recognizing the unique skillset and passion for the game that former players possess. Initiatives like the NFL Coaching Workshop, Officiating Development Program, Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship and Nunn-Wooten NFL Scouting Fellowship allow former players the chance to keep their NFL dream alive.

WHO’S NEXT?

The NFL and the NCAA work closely to educate student-athletes. If a collegiate player has what it takes — the talent, the commitment, and the dedication — then the NFL will find them regardless of what level they are currently playing in college (FBS, FCS, DII, etc.)

Still, only 1.6% of college football players will ever play professionally, but academic scholarships and college educations will give many others the tools they need to succeed in life. The NFL is committed to making sure college football players make the most of these opportunities — which extends beyond the game.

College Advisory Committee

To some, the NFL Draft serves as the “final exam” for measuring the skill that each club has at determining and choosing talent.

Clubs draw from thousands of scouting reports, medical evaluations, and personal interactions to decide which players can turn around a franchise or fill gaps to make a good team into an exceptional one.

Before clubs select a single player, NFL Football Operations goes through an exhaustive process of verifying players’ draft eligibility. This means that the NFL’s Player Personnel department researches and verifies the educational and athletic participation history of thousands of players that may be eligible for the Draft. League staff review college teams’ media guides and websites, contact college coaches, compliance officers and football administrators, and communicate with the student-athletes.

In recent years, the number of underclassmen who have applied to gain early entry into the Draft (“special eligibility”) has steadily increased. In certain cases, it may be the player’s best move; in most, though, the player may be drafted lower than he anticipated, or not at all. In these cases, the player has now forfeited the rest of his college eligibility and has given up his best chance to earn a degree while improving his football skills.

To help both the clubs, who want NFL-ready players in the Draft, and the student-athletes, who are looking to enter the Draft early, the NFL relies on its College Advisory Committee. The Committee, which includes high-level personnel evaluators from NFL clubs and directors from the league’s two sanctioned scouting organizations (National Football Scouting and BLESTO), advises underclassmen on their draft prospects before they make a formal request to the league to join the Draft.

The College Advisory Committee’s process for determining whether underclassmen are ready for the NFL changed in 2014. Under the revised NFL guidelines, a college can request evaluations for only five players, with exceptions determined on a case-by-case basis; previously, there was no limit on the number of players from one team who could be reviewed.

The ratings system was revised as well. In previous years, the Committee would evaluate players in one of five categories: potential first-round pick, potential second-round pick, potential third-round pick, no potential for the first three rounds or no draft potential at all.

The new ratings are much simpler: potential first round, potential second round, or neither, which is effectively a recommendation to stay in school.

If a student-athlete’s goal is to play in the NFL, his best chance at success may be to stay in school, earn his education, improve his Draft position and complete his college football eligibility.

Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, 17 student-athletes were given first- or second-round evaluation. 13 of the 14 who declared for the Draft were drafted in the first two rounds.

The College Advisory Committee is extremely accurate when evaluating first- or second-round prospects who declare for the Draft.

In 2024, 93 players were advised to remain in school by the College Advisory Committee (third-round grade or below). 22 of those 93 players declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after being advised to remain in school.

The average draft position of these players was consistent with the evaluations provided by the NFL clubs.

“We want the student-athlete to make an informed decision,” said Troy Vincent, Sr. executive vice president of NFL Football Operations. “Use our resources and make an informed decision. Each institution has those resources for every prospect and every head coach. The numbers and the facts speak for themselves.”

The NFL encourages most underclassmen to finish their college eligibility and earn a degree while maturing as a professional prospect. Participating in the Draft means that an underclassman loses his remaining eligibility: If he is not selected by an NFL team, he will not be able to play another college season and he will not be able to improve his draft standing for the following year’s draft.

“Declaring for the Draft doesn’t guarantee success in the NFL,” said Vincent. “A College Advisory Committee evaluation will assist you in making an informed decision.”

College All Star Games

These partnerships help strengthen communities and develop a strong pipeline of football talent.

Both annual college showcases supported by the NFL — the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl — impact the community through charitable causes. Created by the Shriners in 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl supports Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Senior Bowl, founded in 1950 and based in Mobile, AL, benefits various local and regional organizations.

“All-star games are excellent developmental opportunities for prospects, NFL position coaches, and support staff,” said Troy Vincent, Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations.

Both all-star games will utilize the same professional development model of blended staff. To achieve equity for our club members, NFL Football Operations requests the nomination of assistant coaches from clubs (position coaches, unit assistants, and quality control) for consideration for the all-star opportunity. Coaches will gain coaching experience up or across a level and will be challenged to work with that year’s pool of prospects as a head coach, coordinator, or position coach. In these elevated roles, coaches will be better prepared as leaders and developers of young talent on and off the field.

A committee, including NFL Football Operations Staff and three General Managers from the General Managers Advisory Committee, will select the coaching staff.

East-West Shrine Bowl

With 100 years of history, the East-West Shrine Bowl is the longest-running college all-star event. It focuses on player physical and mental health, wellness, sleep and recovery resources, and a best-in-class interview process. The Shrine Bowl has recently given players like Zay Flowers, Isaiah Pacheco, and Brock Purdy the chance to showcase their talents. The NFL provides the coaching staff, game officials, video staff, and four Legends captains, giving emerging assistant coaches valuable experiences and opportunities to showcase their skills.

Senior Bowl

The NFL supports the Senior Bowl by providing video personnel from various clubs to assist with football operations and using the game week platform to train and develop NFL officials. Notable Senior Bowl alumni include Joe Namath, Walter Payton, Dan Marino, and current stars Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts.

The Senior Bowl supports local communities through initiatives like the Senior Bowl Ambassador Club and the Mobile/Baldwin Athletic Partnership (MBAP), which donates to underfunded high school football programs. Other projects include an NFL Flag League for kids, the annual Turkey Bowl, and holiday meal distributions with Feeding the Gulf Coast.

Members of the NFL’s Legends community and team player engagement personnel mentor players for both games throughout the week. Through these initiatives, the NFL ensures that both the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl continue to serve as key developmental platforms for future NFL talent while making significant contributions to their respective communities.