Photo by Sandro Schuh on Unsplash
Ever wondered why your favorite NCAA player or the most-talked collegiate football athlete could not make it to the NFL? It’s a rising concern and the league’s conversion rate is dropping rapidly. Nevertheless, betting pundits like both leagues and keep a close eye on college football odds.
The problem starts at the high school level. According to an estimate, there are more than a million high school football players, of which only 6.5% play at the college level. There are options in the likes of the NBA and MLB, so it’s understandable.
What’s more baffling is that low percentage of college football players getting into the NFL. Only around 1.6% of college players turn into professionals.
Now, with the new NCAA rule, all Division 1 athletes can have external endorsements and reap the benefits of their fame. While this ruling will drop the conversion rate lower, it will help safeguard the athletes for good.
Why are college football players not going to the NFL?
Competition in the NFL
It’s a cut-throat competition at the top. Players from around the world are eligible to play in the NFL, so there’s not much room for college athletes. In the NFL, there are only 32 teams with multi-year contracts. It can be challenging.
Different rules
The rules of college football differ from the NFL. It can also put off players, and they can take time to adjust. These differences are:
- A match in college football cannot end in a tie.
- In the NFL, it’s mandatory to have a contact for a rule down.
- Only one foot on the ground during a pass is acceptable in college football. The NFL requires both feet to be grounded.
- After the first down, the clock stops in college football.
- In college football, players can take a defensive penalty of 10 yards.
- Players can review all the plays in college football. The number in the NFL is limited.
- The overtime play varies significantly. In the NFL, the team winning the toss always receives. There’s a kickoff to start the overtime. If it’s a touchdown, the game is over. If it’s a field goal, the other team gets its chance.
In college football, there’s no kickoff and the team winning the toss receives the ball 25-yards from the end zone. Touchdown or field goal, both counts. The other team also gets its chance. This keeps happening until the tie is broken.
Playing conditions
There are no better football players in the world than those in the NFL. In this group, you’ll find only the biggest, strongest, toughest men you have ever seen, along with perhaps the world’s best overall athletes.
As college players settle into their new routine, another striking difference becomes apparent. College athletes have access to a lot of free time. This elusive comfort that they have long lacked is finally here.
When they have so much free time during the NFL offseason, it can almost feel like a vacation. It’s more likely for a rookie to be successful if he takes control of his own life from an early age.
In the training camp, when players are suited up, the difference between rookies and professionals is clear.
For college players, the level of intensity and talent competing for a spot differs greatly from someone whose livelihood depends on it. This is a primary difference. For professionals, it is their job.
So, to belong at the highest level, college players need to buckle up instantly.
Game analysis and strength
In the NFL, the teams dissect their opponents, which is unlike college football where the playing field is level. The in-depth analysis and forming a plan is something they do not experience at the college level.
College football provides equal opportunity for preparations. While in the NFL, the physical ability can be identical, but the mental strength and game knowledge separate the best from the rest. To be at that level, collegiate athletes need to significantly improve, and this can be a time-consuming process for them.
Offensive and defensive play on the field are brutal and a pivoting aspect. In the NFL, players need to function within the system and learn the tactics. They need to put in the reps to become a machine that does not make any errors.
Because the entire team relies on every movement, one wrong move can break the match. Therefore, it’s necessary to study and practice before stepping into the training camp.
The athleticism, mental toughness, and self-discipline in the NFL are at their pinnacle. Just to belong to that level and be worthy, a college athlete needs excessive training.
