Calling All Juniors

In 2006, the NFLPA banned certified agents from contacting underclassmen until they had finished their junior year.  This was largely in response to the reports that Reggie Bush, then star running back for USC, had received illegal benefits during his junior season.  But it now seems that the players’ union may repeal or alter this “junior” rule.  The topic was up for discussion at a small agent advisory meeting that took place at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis two weeks ago.  If the suggested changes are approved by the union, agents will soon be allowed to contact players earlier.

Jason Cole, an NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports, described the probable rule alteration as a step in the right direction for the union and the agents to have more control over the system.  Since being put in place, the “junior” rule has had more of a negative effect on the recruiting process than any good it may have done.  All parties involved have seen that by banning certified agents it has given room for uncertified agents, financial advisors and others who don’t come under the jurisdiction of the players’ union to establish a greater presence with players.

It seems pretty apparent that rule clearly backfired on its intentions.  Agents attempting to recruit the legal way were left in the dark waiting until players finished their junior year, while their less-than-moral counterparts were calling on players who didn’t know or didn’t care about the rule.  One agent commented on how the rule hurt those agents that try to play the game fair:

The guys who are going to cheat are going to keep doing it, and they’ll find a way to cover their tracks.  But when you can’t allow the guys (a chance to fairly compete for the players’ services) who want to do this honestly, it means that they’re out right from the start.  You can’t compete.