First, a little background for the uninitiated. As far as I can tell, Freak is the only real college football fan, but I think this is an interesting story, so hopefully everyone will chime in.
The NFL has a rule that says you must be three years removed from high school to be in the league. Thus, the earliest you can enter the NFL draft is after your junior year of college, unless you took sufficient college-level courses in high school, as Larry Fitzgerald did.
Ohio St running back and all-around pain in the ass Maurice Clarett sued the NFL for the right to enter the draft, claiming that the NFL was a monopoly and was unfairly preventing him from working in his chosen profession, professional football. A judge agreed with Clarett and declared that anyone 18 years of age or older could be in the NFL draft.
At this point USC's star reciever, Mike Williams, declared for the NFL draft after his sophmore. But then, a judge overturned the initial ruling and upheld the NFL's rule. Thus, Mike Williams was forced out of the NFL, and has lost his college eligibility.
USC has appealled to the NCAA, saying that Williams simply obeyed the rules, and then had the rug pulled out from under him, and he should regain his eligibility.
Do you think the NFL's 3-years after high school rule is fair?
And, do you think the NCAA should give Williams his eligibility back and let him play for USC this season?
Here's one side of the argument:
http://www.cnn.com/cnnsi/2004/writer...bag/index.html