Fifty-five college football underclassmen have declared themselves eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft, with many of them considered to be first-round selections.
The NFL set a January 15 deadline for all college football underclassmen who wish to declare for early entry into the draft.
Among most draft experts half of the first round picks could be used to select underclassmen, including what many consider is this year’s number one draft pick, Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers.
Other notable underclassmen entering the 2011 NFL Draft are LSU cornerback Patrick Patterson, Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green and Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus.
Despite the looming labor issues surrounding the NFL, the 55 underclassmen who have declared themselves eligible for the draft is only one less than in 2010.
Since 2004, more than 50 college football underclassmen have entered the NFL Draft early each year with the exception of 2006, when only 43 players declared early.
The list of the college football underclassmen declaring themselves eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft is as follows:
