Pat Bryant declares for NFL Draft, opts out of bowl game

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#51      
The Galloping Ghost
We don't make the Citrus Bowl without him. He gave so much to this program and a ton of amazing memories. He's earned the right to make this decision. I'm bummed we'll never get to see him in the jersey again, but we got one more with him in the helmet (which one is a question for the uniform thread lol). I hope he shows out in the Senior Bowl and then crushes it in his workouts and the combine—the more Illini in the league, the better. And goodness knows he has the skills.
 
#54      
Weston Catapult
If top players opt out of playing one more (bowl) game, why would they want to play four more games and quadruple their chances of getting hurt? Players will opt out of CFP games and the winning team will be the one with the fewest injuries and fewest opt-outs. Some champion. Stupid idea. Killing the fun and pageantry of the bowls for a series of uneven if not unfair games. Just wait until a team like Miami or Alabama has to play Michigan in Ann Arbor in December. The weeping and wailing will be unbearable. Now get off my lawn.
 
#56      
superfan
BretMyBeachHouse said:
some year we'll see players opt out of CFP games. It will then start a trend.
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Under previous bowl formats, it was easy to understand the decision to opt out of the extra game. But I’d have to think that bailing your team in the playoffs would negatively impact a player’s stock.

Tangentially, I’d like to see the NCAA and NFL collaborate on a baseline group injury insurance policy for every participating player, with options to ramp up coverage for players who want more coverage.
 
#58      
MaineIllini
When did the practice of skipping the bowl game, to avoid injury prior to the NFL draft, start? I recall watching Jeff George play in the Citrus Bowl, and he then entered the draft and became the #1 overall pick as we all know. I realize that was 30+ years ago.
 
#59      
lstewart53x3
MaineIllini said:
When did the practice of skipping the bowl game, to avoid injury prior to the NFL draft, start? I recall watching Jeff George play in the Citrus Bowl, and he then entered the draft and became the #1 overall pick as we all know. I realize that was 30+ years ago.
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Right about the time they implemented the 4 team playoff effectively making all other bowl games meaningless exhibitions.
 
#60      
Illini in Italy
I understand the why, and can't argue against it . . . today. Next year when the players getting paid? No play? No pay.

This will be big boy football, you're getting paid to play.

Angry Star Trek GIF
 
#62      
Epsilon
the juiceman cometh said:
Trust me, whoever we face will very likely have similar problems. This is what non-CFP bowl games are now. It's just an exhibition and opportunity for extra practice. Embrace it for what it is.
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If we play Alabama they will have much more depth with their talent to backfill than us but they’ll also probably have more opt-outs too. It is what it is I guess.
 
#63      
OrangeLife
I would love to see Pat play in the bowl game, but if he was my son I would advise against it. There is so much on the line for the young man and his family. He has given a lot to this program, and has helped to turn the corner towards being a solid and stable program going forward. I think the times of one good year out five has finally passed as long as BB is our coach. Honestly, if you aren't in the playoff this is just an opportunity to grow your program and reward the players and fans for the past year.
 
#64      
gibb52
Players opt out of bowl game to prepare for NFL draft as playing in "meaningless" bowl game risks injury.

I've asked this question before as a means for discussion/debate: Once a player has established themselves as a legit NFL prospect isn't every game they play after that meaningless? Bryant was on draft boards before the NW game, before the Rutgers game, etc. Why weren't those games meaningless as well?

And I'm not singling out Pat for this, dozens of players do this every year. Every game a player plays is meaningless, not just a bowl game. Discuss.
 
#65      
Dkayak
gibb52 said:
Players opt out of bowl game to prepare for NFL draft as playing in "meaningless" bowl game risks injury.

I've asked this question before as a means for discussion/debate: Once a player has established themselves as a legit NFL prospect isn't every game they play after that meaningless? Bryant was on draft boards before the NW game, before the Rutgers game, etc. Why weren't those games meaningless as well?

And I'm not singling out Pat for this, dozens of players do this every year. Every game a player plays is meaningless, not just a bowl game. Discuss.
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If you’re a strong draft candidate after year three but chose to play another year, that entire senior season is high risk! Our Law firm duo was a good example of this. Sometimes you accept the risk to boost your draft potential further (and harvest NIL).
 
#66      
illiniwil
I wonder if a $ stipend for each player/ playoff level which adds up to a decent payoff might encourage
kids to play? The vast majority of these kids cannot assure a long term deal at the pro level. maybe winning
a NC could get you $500,000 or $750,000? Maybe then only the first round picks would skip the playoffs.
 
#67      
the juiceman cometh
gibb52 said:
Players opt out of bowl game to prepare for NFL draft as playing in "meaningless" bowl game risks injury.

I've asked this question before as a means for discussion/debate: Once a player has established themselves as a legit NFL prospect isn't every game they play after that meaningless? Bryant was on draft boards before the NW game, before the Rutgers game, etc. Why weren't those games meaningless as well?

And I'm not singling out Pat for this, dozens of players do this every year. Every game a player plays is meaningless, not just a bowl game. Discuss.
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Bowl games are meaningless in the sense that they actually have no meaning when it comes to a team's standing. The conference standings have been set and the teams that have a chance to win a national title are in the CFP. NFL teams aren't going to judge players for skipping bowl games.

NFL teams are likely to judge a player who skips a regular season or CFP game. I think doing that, for most players, would negatively impact their draft stock. NFL is not only evaluating physical ability.
 
#68      
Weston Catapult
This is complete nonsense. NFL teams won’t care if players don’t play in CFP games. They’d sign Jeffrey Dahmer if he could cover a wide receiver one on one. In their view all the college games are meaningless after a player has established his ability. The games only have meaning to the players, coaches, fans, and those who profit from broadcasting the games. Once players start opting out of CFP games the other players and fans will realize that they’re meaningless too.
 
#69      
LJ22
the juiceman cometh said:
Bowl games are meaningless in the sense that they actually have no meaning when it comes to a team's standing. The conference standings have been set and the teams that have a chance to win a national title are in the CFP. NFL teams aren't going to judge players for skipping bowl games.

NFL teams are likely to judge a player who skips a regular season or CFP game. I think doing that, for most players, would negatively impact their draft stock. NFL is not only evaluating physical ability.
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This is undoubtedly true, but I think gibb52 was trying to get at why this is. Why is it acceptable to sit out one game but not another? When it was clear we were going to miss the playoff, does it really matter if you finish 9-3 and #19 or 8-4 and #25? To a fan it does, but I'd argue beating an SEC team in a good bowl also matters to fans.

I think gibb52 posed a very interesting question.
 
#70      
the juiceman cometh
LJ22 said:
This is undoubtedly true, but I think gibb52 was trying to get at why this is. Why is it acceptable to sit out one game but not another? When it was clear we were going to miss the playoff, does it really matter if you finish 9-3 and #19 or 8-4 and #25? To a fan it does, but I'd argue beating an SEC team in a good bowl also matters to fans.

I think gibb52 posed a very interesting question.
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It is an interesting question. I think the answer is pretty clearly that NFL teams are ok with players who skip bowl games, and will not negativley evaluate that choice, but not likely to be ok with players who sit out all or part of a season, or an opportunity to win a championship, and will negatively evaluate that decision.

Could that calculus change at some point? Sure. It could also change the other way. The NCAA for example could make a rule allowing teams to use part of bowl revenue as bonuses for players who play. Suddenly, players might decide that the gains outweigh the risk.

If the NCAA wants to stop this they need to get creative.
 
#72      
gibb52
LJ22 is on my wavelength. Now it's just bowl games. At some point someone will sit out the CFP. And then on to regular season games.

If I was on the NFL radar at the end of season 2, when I go into season 3 and have a number of good games early and am clearly going to be drafted why would I risk injury and play another game?

If my reason for playing CFB is to get to the NFL isn't every game I play after I get to that point meaningless?
 
#74      
Old.Edgy
MOST bowl games should go away anyway... the increase in the number of bowls in the last decade needs to STOP...
 
#75      
Old.Edgy
gibb52 said:
Players opt out of bowl game to prepare for NFL draft as playing in "meaningless" bowl game risks injury.

I've asked this question before as a means for discussion/debate: Once a player has established themselves as a legit NFL prospect isn't every game they play after that meaningless? Bryant was on draft boards before the NW game, before the Rutgers game, etc. Why weren't those games meaningless as well?

And I'm not singling out Pat for this, dozens of players do this every year. Every game a player plays is meaningless, not just a bowl game. Discuss.
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Question: is there a provision in the scholarship contract that outlines availability to play ?
 
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