Shoulda Stayed in School

[FlourBluffHorn]

It was a bitter fall for a player who made a huge mistake applying for the draft after his junior season. And it underscores two points that should be screamed from the mountaintops after every NFL draft:

A big gamble if your not good enough but, just good!

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl-dr...nreasonable-ncaa-inflexibility-235546578.html

 

[Bwilk55]

Max Olson has been reporting on this for several years now, about 1/3 of guys we declare early don't get selected.

Now, as mentioned in another thread, an UDFA who makes and sticks with a team (even for just 3-4 years) can still have a successful and financially rewarding career on par with being selected in the 4th round or later. 4th round picks and later are certainly not "set for life" financially but can earn a couple million before they turn 25. If smart with the money, that can definitely set you up for financial security going forward.

 

[2300 Nueces]

Idiots.

Home Depot Lumberyard is hiring.

 

[oldschoolcat]

Dodson leaving early is a killer for A&M.......AND for Dodson. Brutal...

 

[Belldozer1]

Idiots.

Home Depot Lumberyard is hiring.

 

[FlourBluffHorn]

 

[DHHorn]

It's no secret kids don't always make the best long term decisions (some adults don't either). At the time I'm sure all they are thinking is if they go early then they don't have to play school anymore and can get a paycheck. Most probably think their stock won't get any better with another year anyway so they take the easy route. Whatever floats their boat, it's their decision.

 

[Bwilk55]

It's no secret kids don't always make the best long term decisions (some adults don't either). At the time I'm sure all they are thinking is if they go early then they don't have to play school anymore and can get a paycheck. Most probably think their stock won't get any better with another year anyway so they take the easy route. Whatever floats their boat, it's their decision.

The most important thing is making the team - there are plenty of draftees who get cut before the season and all they have to show for it is their signing bonus.

4th rounder or UDFA, make a team and cash a 450k check.

Now, if coming back for a senior year makes it more likely that you will make an NFL team - do that. Or, if it makes it more likely that you will be a 3rd round or better pick - do that. But for guys like LJH, the ceiling was probably a 5th or 6th round pick and while his signing bonus is probably <10k when it could have been around 100k, he has a chance to start earning the NFL minimum a year earlier.

 

[LongfellowDrew]

It’s unfortunate most of these guys have no clue how to manage money. I know a former pro baseball player from Puerto Rico that played a few years for the MLB and a couple years for the Stro’s. He explained to me that you’re constantly spending money on stuff here and there. He had a house in PR as well as here in Houston. Then just flying everywhere tipping all kinds of people. Family, cars, houses, clothes, shoes etc.. before you know it money is short and you’re no longer playing ball.

 

[Bwilk55]

It’s unfortunate most of these guys have no clue how to manage money. I know a former pro baseball player from Puerto Rico that played a few years for the MLB and a couple years for the Stro’s. He explained to me that you’re constantly spending money on stuff here and there. He had a house in PR as well as here in Houston. Then just flying everywhere tipping all kinds of people. Family, cars, houses, clothes, shoes etc.. before you know it money is short and you’re no longer playing ball.

Totally agree. These guys trust themselves so much as athletes that they think the money will never stop coming in. Reality is, at best some of these guys have a take home pay of around 1 million (after taxes) after several years in the league.

Not many 25 year olds would manage 1 million dollars well and even if you do, that's a nice way to start life but certainly not enough to sustain you for long.

 

[LongfellowDrew]

Totally agree. These guys trust themselves so much as athletes that they think the money will never stop coming in. Reality is, at best some of these guys have a take home pay of around 1 million (after taxes) after several years in the league.

Not many 25 year olds would manage 1 million dollars well and even if you do, that's a nice way to start life but certainly not enough to sustain you for long.

I mean some of these guys come from homes where parents probably made $30k a year if that. Give me $1 million and I’d blow it more than likely at that age. Seems like a lot especially when you’ve never known anyone else growing up who had that kind of money. They count on themselves because they don’t know better. Bank account goes from $100 to 1,000,000.00 in a matter of weeks.

 

[Bwilk55]

I mean some of these guys come from homes where parents probably made $30k a year if that. Give me $1 million and I’d blow it more than likely at that age. Seems like a lot especially when you’ve never known anyone else growing up who had that kind of money. They count on themselves because they don’t know better. Bank account goes from $100 to 1,000,000.00 in a matter of weeks.

Yep, it's tough. And you hear about all the guys who have family members serve as their advisors and sure enough are just taking advantage of the money. Didn't something like that happen with Vince?

I'm pretty sure the NFLPA tries to reach these guys and advise them to be smart with the money but unfortunately too many guys don't listen. Heck, 1 millions dollars at that age could help you buy a reasonable house (a good investment) and start a sizable retirement account that even if left alone could grow substantially by the time you turn 60 (200k could turn into 4-5 million with a 8% return).