From Yahoo!
TL;DR version
Few college players are going pro, but guys that have a chance would rather take that chance early. The increasing money in college ball isn't shared with players. Coaches make millions. If a guy thinks he can make it in the pros, why not get started?
The difference between a 4th round pick and a 6th round pick is about $50,000, from $490,000 to $440,000. Minimum salary is $420K if you make the roster. The extra year's salary for starting early would take just about an entire contract to recuperate, assuming the player could jump from a 6th to 4th round pick by staying in college an extra year.
TL;DR version
- Number of players leaving college early has jumped from 53 in 2010 to 103 this year.
- Smaller rookie contracts+five year first contract is persuading players to go pro earlier and get the contract ticking for second contract. An eighteen year old that redshirts and stays all five years would be 28 when the first contract runs out. The same eighteen year old that leaves college at 21 is 26 when the second contract comes around.
- Even if they don't get drafted, FA contract and not risking career ending injury during senior year are better options.
Few college players are going pro, but guys that have a chance would rather take that chance early. The increasing money in college ball isn't shared with players. Coaches make millions. If a guy thinks he can make it in the pros, why not get started?
The difference between a 4th round pick and a 6th round pick is about $50,000, from $490,000 to $440,000. Minimum salary is $420K if you make the roster. The extra year's salary for starting early would take just about an entire contract to recuperate, assuming the player could jump from a 6th to 4th round pick by staying in college an extra year.
