Tag: underclassmen declarations

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy declares for the 2024 NFL Draft

McCarthy is one of the biggest variables in the entire draft

Fresh off a national title game win Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is ready to take his talents to the next level and add to an already deep quarterback class as he declares for the 2024 NFL Draft.

The leader of the national champion Tigers’ has put together quite a resume in his two years as a starter helping guide the program to newfound heights. In his two seasons McCarthy put up 5,710 passing yards, 52 total touchdowns, and maintained a quarterback rating of 161.2 during that span. McCarthy ends his run at Michigan as one of it’s most successful players in their storied history with a career record of 27-1.

As a draft prospect, McCarthy doesn’t quite bring the high-level play and consistency that NFL teams are looking for as a high-end pick. That isn’t to say McCarthy is a dud by any means, as he possesses plenty of arm strength and playmaking ability to play at the NFL level and should find himself going within the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

2024 NFL draft: Underclassmen declarations trending way down from recent years

There are just 54 underclassmen given early entry for the 2024 NFL draft, a figure that’s gone way down from recent years

The deadline for underclassmen to declare eligibility for the 2024 NFL draft has come and gone. So too has the time for extraneous decisions and late applications to enter this year’s draft.

In past years, the number of early entrants often approached 100, even topping that figure in some select years. This year’s tally is just 54 players who were granted early eligibility for the draft. That’s down from 63 in 2023.

There are several factors as to why the number has dropped. The extra year of eligibility from the COVID-19 pandemic created more of a glut of older players, and that might have scared off some of the more marginal prospects from declaring. NIL money flowing in might have made a difference as well, especially with some of the more prominent players who returned to college.

Four other players who were listed as underclassmen fulfilled their graduation requirements and were granted eligibility. That group includes Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry and Miami safety Kamren Kinchens, both likely first-rounder. They’re not technically included as underclassmen.

From Andrew Groover of the AP, here is the full list of 54:

Michigan RB Blake Corum declares for 2024 NFL draft

Corum could be one of the top RBs in the 2024 draft class

Fresh off a national title game win, Michigan running back Blake Corum is ready to take his talents to the next level and add to one of the deepest running back classes in years as he declares for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Corum has been one of the most productive players in college football over the past two seasons with the Wolverines, establishing himself as a top-tier playmaker. Over the last two seasons, Corum has put together 2,905 scrimmage yards and an eye-popping 47 touchdowns, all while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. During his junior season, Corum was the front-runner for the Heisman trophy before suffering a season-ending injury late in the year, to which he bounced back the following season.

It’s easy to pop on Corum’s tape and find him making a crucial big time play in big time moments as he became Michigan’s top playmaker over their dominant last two seasons. Corum came up big in the National Championship game, scampering for 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Expect Corum to be one of the first backs taken in this class as his playmaking ability clearly translates to the next level and should hear his name called within the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Top players who opted to return to college instead of entering the 2024 NFL draft

Top players who opted to return to college instead of entering the 2024 NFL draft

Most of the time when college players make an announcement about their eligibility and the NFL draft, it’s them declaring they’re leaving school and entering the professional ranks. But not everyone leaves early, not even when projected as a potential first round pick.

There are a few college players who opted to stay in the college ranks instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL draft. Here are some of the bigger names who opted to stay in school.

Washington WR Jalen McMillan declares for the 2024 NFL draft

Washington WR Jalen McMillan declares for the 2024 NFL draft

The group of receivers in this upcoming draft class is proving to be one of the deepest in recent memories and just continues to grow. With the announcement that Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan is entering the 2024 NFL Draft, it has become that much better.

McMillan has proven to be one of the top weapons for the Huskies over the past two years. Though he was only able to play in seven games on the season due to a knee injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the season, he was still one of the more productive receivers when on the field. McMillan ended the 2023 campaign with 559 yards and five touchdowns in those seven games, proving to be a crucial offensive component on one of the best teams in the country. This follows a year where McMillan posted over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns.

With plenty of speed, route-running savviness, and the ability to be a playmaker from any position, McMillan looks to set himself up well to make the transition to the next level. Expect to hear McMillan’s name called on the second day of the 2024 NFL draft.

Washington OL Troy Fautanu declares for the 2024 NFL draft

Washington OL Troy Fautanu declares for the 2024 NFL draft

With multiple stars already set up at the tackle position for this upcoming class, it gets even heavier with the news that Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.

For the last two seasons for the Huskies, Fautanu has been a staple along their offensive line at the left tackle position as their entrenched starter. During his two seasons as the blindside protector Fautanu was one of the most successful and reliable tackles in the country blocking for a team that eventually made the national championship game. During that stretch, Fautanu gave up just two sacks and four quarterback hits.

Fautanu played offensive lineman consistently at a high level and has plenty of athleticism to back up his game for the next level. Having played both guard and tackle during his time in Washington he showed he can anchor either position and could be asked to kick inside during the draft process. Versatility and production are invaluable at the next level, and as such Fautanu should hear his name called within the top 50 selections of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Four prominent Ohio State players are staying in school for 2024

Four prominent Ohio State players are staying in school for 2024 instead of declaring for the draft

With the deadline for underclassmen to declare their eligibility for the 2024 NFL draft coming up quickly, four Ohio State Buckeyes have opted to return to Columbus for another season of college football.

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson, defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and cornerback Denzel Burke have all announced they’re not entering the draft. All three had the potential to be top 50 overall picks in the upcoming draft and have been fixtures of two-round mock drafts for months.

Tuimoloau cited “unfinished business” in his social media post announcing his return. Burke also brought up the idea of winning a championship with his Buckeye teammates in his announcement.

Ohio State football NFL draft declaration tracker

Washington WR Ja’Lynn Polk declares for the 2024 NFL draft

Polk initially projects as a Day 2 pick

It didn’t take long after the national championship game for Washington wideout Ja’Lynn Polk to announce he is declaring for the 2024 NFL draft. The 6-foot-2 speedster will give up his collegiate eligibility and start prepping for the draft.

In his final season with the Huskies, Polk developed a very tight connection with QB Michael Penix. Polk hauled in 69 passes for 1,159 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He was especially effective working out of Washington’s bunch and trips formations with Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan.

Polk began his college career at Texas Tech and progressed into a very good weapon outside and in the intermediate range for Penix. More sudden than fast, Polk can still flash the jets, too.

He initially projects as a Day 2 prospect, though this deep and talented receiving class is very much up in the air as we approach the postseason all-star game circuit.

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Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry declares for the 2024 NFL draft

Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry declares for the 2024 NFL draft

Yet another top tier defensive player from the Crimson Tide will be available for teams to snag as Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

McKinstry was a locked in three year starter for the Crimson Tide and over the last two seasons established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the entire country. With 22 pass break ups and an interception over two seasons McKinstry has shown excellent growth as a defender and given his physical traits could end up being all-pro level player at the next level.

While McKinstry has some fundamentals he needs to clean up as well as potentially adding some play strength, he is still certainly in the conversation to be the first cornerback off the board. Being as versatile as they come and possessing an incredible ceiling, look for McKinstry to hear his name called in the top half of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Missouri RB Cody Schrader declares for the 2024 NFL Draft

Expect the see Schrader hear his name called sometime in the second or third round in a deep running back class.

One of the best and most influential stories in college football is taking his talents to the next level as Missouri running back Cody Schrader has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.

A former walk-on at Missouri, Schrader has established himself as one of if not the top backs in all of college football after an incredible season with the Tigers. During the 2023 season, Schrader carried the Missouri offense with 276 carries, 1,627 rushing yards, and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Schrader was a menace when he had the ball in his hands, grinding out hard yardage play after play and becoming the most explosive piece of the Tigers’ offense.

Schrader has the potential to be an every-down back at the next level; while not possessing elite levels of speed, he has shown enough athleticism and burst to play at the next level with elite-level instincts and vision for his position. Schrader is functional as a pass catcher and, given his low center of gravity and insistent running style, could be a short-yardage menace. Expect the see Schrader hear his name called sometime in the second or third round in a deep running back class.