Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/259072
BY LOU SOMOGYI U ntil the NCAA permitted fresh- man eligibility for good in 1972, college football players partici- pated in only three years of var- sity action. Three years of college football might be in vogue again. A record three Notre Dame juniors decided in Janu- ary to try their hand at the NFL now instead of after their fourth and final season of eligibility in 2014. Prior to the Jan. 15 deadline, defen- sive end Stephon Tuitt announced his intent to depart for the NFL Jan. 5, followed by running back George At- kinson III two days later and tight end Troy Niklas Jan. 10. The NFL is becoming a "Junior League" for college players. A record 96 declared this year, up from 73 in JUNIOR LEAGUE Stephon Tuitt, Troy Niklas and George Atkinson III opt for the NFL Tuitt could join graduated senior Louis Nix III to become the first defensive linemen from Notre Dame drafted in the first round since Renaldo Wynn in 1997. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA