Just imagine. You’re 5 years old playing a game of football in the yard with your friends. Whenever you have the ball, you imagine yourself as a star NFL player who has their name plastered on the back of everyone’s jerseys.
Fast forward 16 years, and you’re now around the age of 21. You’ve played 3 years of college football, and now you’re faced with the toughest decision you’ve ever had to make. You thought choosing which college to play football at was hard until you felt the pressure of this choice.
This choice could change your life.
This choice could change your family’s life.
And this choice is being critiqued and analyzed by every single person.
Do you choose to go pro after your junior year, or do you decide to return for your senior year?
Now, let me be clear about something. As an analyst, it’s my job to analyze decisions, plays, games, players, etc. And to be honest, I’ve spent quite a bit of time analyzing what “I” think these guys should do based on injuries, stats, mock drafts, and more.
But.
This is ultimately their decision, and I respect that.
I can’t imagine being 21 having to make this decision.
A decision that could cost them millions. To some, the choice is clear.
For example, if Tua Tagovailoa would’ve never gotten hurt this season, it would have been a clear cut decision for him to enter the NFL Draft. He would’ve been a Heisman finalist, potentially won the Heisman, and more than likely would have led his team to another CFB Playoff appearance.
But instead, he’s having to weigh his options. Does he declare this season and hope to be a top first round pick? Or does he return, prove he’s more than healthy, all while trying to win the Heisman and another title, and improve his stock while potentially earning more money? But, if he returns, he also runs the risk of another injury, and he risks losing millions.
So, he has to weigh the options. It’s a VERY hard decision.
A decision I know each and every single one of these players have spent their lives dreaming of.
These young men have worked their entire life to make it to the NFL.
They’ve represented their university well for 3 years, all while telling themselves “one day, I’ll get PAID to play the game I love.”
And some of these players are doing it to change the lives of their family. Maybe they want to buy their mom a car, a house, or even help put food on their table.
Whatever the reason(s) are, it makes this decision even harder.
So while we can sit here and analyze their decision, let’s not forget the most important thing: it’s THEIR decision.
So whether they choose to go Pro, or choose to return their senior year, let’s support them and THEIR decision.
If they declare for the NFL Draft, let’s show them support and encouragement.
If they decide to play one more year of college ball, let’s show them support and encouragement.
These guys don’t want to let anyone down. They just want to see their years of hard work pay off and their dreams come true. They want to prove to their 5 year old self who was playing that football game in the yard with his friends, that anything is possible.
They want to prove to kids all over the world that hard work can pay off, and that their dreams can come true.
And more than anything, they just want to keep playing the game they love.
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