NFL Relaxes Underclassmen Eligibility Restrictions in Post Season All-Star Games

Underclassmen to opt for the draft can now participate in offseason events.

On Wednesday the National Football League sent a memo to its teams announcing that juniors and eligible underclassmen who declare for the draft will be allowed to participate in NFL pre-draft All Star games.

Redshirt sophomores and juniors previously were not able to take part in the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine Game, or the HBCU Legacy Bowl. That's changed beginning with this upcoming offseason, allowing scouting departments another venue to see prospective professional football players.

The Crimson Tide traditionally has a handful of players head to Mobile for the Senior Bowl. The event could see even Alabama greater participation with this rule change as teams like to see prospects compete against similar competition. 

The 2024 NFL Draft is in April and prospects will declare their intentions to stay or go to the draft at the end of January. This year's senior bowl is February 3. 

The only pre-draft event the underclassmen were eligible to participate in was the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. That even remains unchanged. 

Nick Saban has had 123 former Crimson Tide players drafted by the NFL during his tenure with Alabama and traditionally holds a short media session at the Senior Bowl.

This year's Alabama players that may consider heading to the draft include Dallas Turner, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold, JC Latham and many others.