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Arkansas’ Bret Bielema: Let undrafted players return to school

By Jason Parker

Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema paces the sidelines during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema paces the sidelines during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema, after seeing one of his own players go unpicked, wants those players to be allowed to return to school. 

Several weeks ago, over 250 college football players had the honor of being picked by one of the 32 NFL teams in the yearly player draft. On the flip side, hundreds more went without hearing their name called and had to settle for an undrafted free agent contract or a tryout offer with a team.

The idea that the players who didn’t get drafted can’t head back to school and continue their college career is not sitting well with one SEC head coach. Arkansas Razorbacks head man Bret Bielema, speaking to a local radio station, used the example of one player from the Hogs in 2015, guard Denver Kirkland, as a reason why the rule should be changed:

"“I haven’t touched base with Gus (Malzahn) yet, but he had two that didn’t get drafted. Dan (Mullen) did as well. Ohio State had a couple,” Bielema said. “Those coaches, I’m reaching out to them and trying to put together some collective thoughts on how to approach it. Now, some kids maybe had to move on for academic reasons or personal or their own story. But if you have a guy like Denver who’s on progression to graduate, is doing the right things and needs another year (can we change something?)”"

On paper, it isn’t the worst idea in the world (especially coming from someone who has been known to say some odd things during his time). College football could take a page from basketball, where the NCAA is allowing college athletes to return to school and retain eligibility if they applied for the NBA Draft, but didn’t hire an agent.

Later in the interview, the Arkansas head coach went further and said players should be able to return if they weren’t picked as high as they thought they would. That idea probably won’t fly with the NFL or even the NCAA, so Big Bret should stop while he’s ahead.

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