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NFL Combine Rules Explained

By Scott Rogust

Some rules for the NFL Combine explained.
Some rules for the NFL Combine explained. / Michael Hickey/Getty Images

The NFL Scouting Combine is on the horizon, as a relatively deep talent pool travels to Indianapolis to show off their skill set to the 32 teams in attendance.

For the most part, the Combine is a relatively simple process. Prospects show up, perform individual drills, and interview with interested squads. Yet, fans have asked some questions about specific rules for the pre-NFL Draft event.

We've got you covered.

Can a College Player Opt Out of the Draft?

If a college player declares for the NFL Draft, there is no way they can opt out. The NFL provides a timeline for athletes to come up with a decision. If they declare, there's no backing out, unfortunately.

In the occasion a player is selected by a team, that squad holds their rights for a full calendar year. They can then re-enter the draft process the following year.

How Do You Get Invited to the Combine?

For a college football player to receive an invitation to the NFL Combine, they are subjected to Hall of Fame-style voting.

All 32 NFL teams provide their opinion on the draft-eligible players to the Player Selection Committee, whose members then review the list of players and submit their votes. Players who meet the required number of votes (depending on position) will receive an invitation to the Combine.

The goal is for the players most likely to be selected in the NFL Draft to participate in the Combine.

Can You Be Drafted Right Out of High School?

In professional sports, there have been rare occasions where a player can be drafted straight out of high school. Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were able to do so in the NBA, while Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg were both drafted out of high school by the Washington Nationals.

The NFL does things differently.

A player cannot be selected straight out of high school. To enter the NFL Draft, you must spend at least three years out of high school and use up their college eligibility before the start of the next college football season.

There will never be a LeBron-equivalent in the NFL. That's just the rules set by the league.