Record 56 leave college for draft

[HMFFL]

Cam Newton and Nick Fairley of national champion Auburn are among 56 non-seniors who applied for April's NFL draft - a record total, but only three more players than left college early a year ago.

Complete list of early entries

The uncertainty surrounding the league's labor situation does not appear to have had a significant effect on underclassmen opting to declare for the draft. The NFL released the names on Wednesday, and it's the fifth time in the past seven years that more than 50 players were granted what the league calls "special eligibility."

There were 53 players in 2010 and 2008, the previous high; 52 in 2006; 51 in 2005.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/f ... ?eref=sihp

Not really surprised.

[cochiseuofm]

It isn't surprising, but that number doesn't tell the whole story really. A lot of good college players who would have been drafted high returned to school. Andrew Luck, Justin Blackmon, Janoris Jenkins, etc. The number could have been a lot higher.

[Icness]

So much for the labor market uncertainty.

At least 5 of those guys will be lucky to get drafted at all:
Henry Hynoski
Tori Gurley
Stevan Ridley
John Clay
Darvin Adams

I actually like both Gurley and Adams a little but they're deluded if they think they're going before the 5th round.

[WAYSA]

John Clay is really fat.

[Jaruff]

So much for the labor market uncertainty.

At least 5 of those guys will be lucky to get drafted at all:
Henry Hynoski
Tori Gurley
Stevan Ridley
John Clay
Darvin Adams

I actually like both Gurley and Adams a little but they're deluded if they think they're going before the 5th round.

Someone from SC does this every year it seems. Last year it was Emanuel Cook and this year it's Tori Gurley. Gurley is a good receiver but he had two more years of eligibility. I do have a feeling that my Panthers will use a draft pick on him; we need more receivers and they need another local product to make people forget about Armanti Edwards.

But he can't be worse than Troy Williamson, can he?

[skones]

Clay really had no choice. His workload would have been a lot smaller next year with Ball and White being superior backs. With that being said, he's not an NFL caliber player.

[JaxMagic]

So if the new CBA isn't worked out how will this affect the UDFAs?