Over the past several years some of the top NFL prospects have skipped their end of season college bowl games to protect themselves from getting hurt. In 2016, top NFL prospect and LSU running back Leonard Fournette skipped his bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft along with Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and both were selected in the top 10 of the draft. Unlike last year, big names like Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and Saquon Barkley are not skipping their bowl games.

The philosophy behind their controversial decision is that they do not want to take the risk of getting hurt and hurting their draft stock. That, in turn, could cost the players a quite a bit of money. If a player does get hurt, they could go from a top five or 10 pick to potentially falling to the top 20 or farther. It is a very unpopular decision all around the country, especially to the teams’ fanbases.

MCHS Head Football Coach Patric Morrison said, “I think if a player makes a commitment to his team/family that he should see it all the way through and play with his teammates. So I would be for them playing in the bowl game. I admire those players who do play it because it proves that football is much more than a job to those guys.”

Fans of college football have two differing opinion, however. On the flip side, some fans can see the practicality behind the maneuver while some just have mixed emotions.

“I understand why the players are doing it, their NFL future could be jeopardized, but I still feel like they should play. Just from a teammate standpoint, I would want to play.” Said MCHS senior and former Madison Cub football player Will Davis.

Morrison added, “However, I also see the other side of it and taking a chance of getting injured and losing a big shot at money.” Morrison said.