Stephen A. Smith proposes eligibility changes for NFL draft entrants

Stephen A. Smith advocated for changes to college sports eligibility rules during a recent public discussion regarding athletes who declare for the NFL draft. He proposed that players who enter the draft process but fail to join an NFL roster or participate in professional games should retain their collegiate eligibility. The ESPN personality stated that testing the professional waters should not preclude athletes from returning to their university programs. However, Smith also signaled support for capping college tenures, arguing that five years of participation represents an age limit that should define the scope of college athletics. These comments highlight the ongoing debate surrounding player movement and the impact of professional draft declarations on college sports rosters.

• 11:09 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Age matters!’ Stephen A. Smith sparks fresh college sports debate with blunt take on eligibility