ScottVib
03-05-2004, 09:44 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1751956
NEW YORK -- Six high school players and one from junior college have applied for the NFL draft, taking advantage of the court ruling in the Maurice Clarett case that cleared the way for underclassmen.
The NFL released the final list of nine players Friday who requested early eligibility for the April 24-25 draft. The deadline for applying was March 1, with the players given 72 hours to pull out.
In addition to Clarett, the running back who played as a freshman at Ohio State but was suspended last season, and Southern California wide receiver Mike Williams, there were seven others on the final list.
Williams, who played two seasons in college, is expected to be a first-round pick while Clarett is thought to be a potential second- or third-rounder.
Clarett went to court to challenge the NFL's rule preventing players less than three years out of high school from entering the draft, and a federal judge ruled in his favor.
Most scouts and league officials believe the jump is far too great for underclassmen and high school players.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the list released Friday was based on those who submitted written applications.
"I don't think we do any extensive checking because there's no point to it based on the ruling," Aiello said. "We can't limit who's eligible under this ruling."
None of the high school players is among the top 25 college prospects by position, according to Tom Lemming, editor of Prep Football Report.
According to the NFL, the seven applicants were: Ronnie McCrae, a defensive back from Pasadena (Calif.) City College; Joe Banks, a running back from New Directions Academy High School in Baltimore; quarterback John Belisle of Capac Community High School in Capac, Mich.; defensive tackle Earl Fields of Appling County High School in Baxley, Ga.; wide receiver Joe Lee of Gates High School in Tacoma, Wash.; running back Ethan Mitchell of Flowers High School in Springdale, Md.; and offensive tackle Ken Petitt of Redford High School in Detroit.
NEW YORK -- Six high school players and one from junior college have applied for the NFL draft, taking advantage of the court ruling in the Maurice Clarett case that cleared the way for underclassmen.
The NFL released the final list of nine players Friday who requested early eligibility for the April 24-25 draft. The deadline for applying was March 1, with the players given 72 hours to pull out.
In addition to Clarett, the running back who played as a freshman at Ohio State but was suspended last season, and Southern California wide receiver Mike Williams, there were seven others on the final list.
Williams, who played two seasons in college, is expected to be a first-round pick while Clarett is thought to be a potential second- or third-rounder.
Clarett went to court to challenge the NFL's rule preventing players less than three years out of high school from entering the draft, and a federal judge ruled in his favor.
Most scouts and league officials believe the jump is far too great for underclassmen and high school players.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the list released Friday was based on those who submitted written applications.
"I don't think we do any extensive checking because there's no point to it based on the ruling," Aiello said. "We can't limit who's eligible under this ruling."
None of the high school players is among the top 25 college prospects by position, according to Tom Lemming, editor of Prep Football Report.
According to the NFL, the seven applicants were: Ronnie McCrae, a defensive back from Pasadena (Calif.) City College; Joe Banks, a running back from New Directions Academy High School in Baltimore; quarterback John Belisle of Capac Community High School in Capac, Mich.; defensive tackle Earl Fields of Appling County High School in Baxley, Ga.; wide receiver Joe Lee of Gates High School in Tacoma, Wash.; running back Ethan Mitchell of Flowers High School in Springdale, Md.; and offensive tackle Ken Petitt of Redford High School in Detroit.