INDIANAPOLIS-Student-athletes who choose to enter the NFL draft in light of a recent court ruling will have the ability to enter the draft one time without jeopardizing their intercollegiate athletics ability just as they do under more typical circumstances.

The NCAA rule governing the one-time draft entry, NCAA Bylaw 12.2.4.2.3, which permits student-athletes to return to intercollegiate athletics if they have not hired an agent or otherwise compromised their eligibility, will give student-athletes up until the date declared by the NFL, plus 72 hours to declare their intentions. Student-athletes who wish to return to intercollegiate athletics must not have been drafted, and they must declare their intention to return to intercollegiate athletics to their institution's director of athletics in writing. Such student-athletes could not hire an agent, sign an endorsement contract or participate in the NFL combine prior to the draft without jeopardizing their amateur status.

The NCAA is not a part of the legal action that resulted in this ruling, nor does the NCAA anticipate becoming involved at any point in the future. The NCAA does see the ruling as a disappointment, however.

"From an educational perspective, I am very concerned about this decision," said NCAA President Myles Brand. "Those who stand the most to lose educationally if the decision is upheld are the football student-athletes who leave without their degrees. This is a setback from that perspective."

"It is ironic that the two major professional sports without developmental leagues - basketball and football - will have two of the most liberal draft rules if this decision is not overturned on appeal," he said. "It may be time for those two sports to provide another option than intercollegiate athletics as the route for young men whose primary interest is turning professional as quickly as possible."

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