Brad Humphries, an economics professor at WVU, studied factors that may help college athletes decide whether to declare early for the professional sports draft.
(WVU Photo/Matt Sunday)
The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday (April 25), west virginia university Economists provide analysis and insight into the burning question that faces all college stars: “Should I stay or go pro?”
Brad Humphries, professor and associate dean for academic affairs and research in the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, studies college athletes’ decisions to continue their education or enter professional sports. are doing.
In the new study, he analyzed early draft entry decisions made by college football underclassmen with remaining eligibility from the 2007-2008 season to the 2018-2019 season.
Quote:
“This year’s NFL Draft has some interesting features for early entrants. The number of players declaring early has grown from less than 50 per draft in the early 2000s to more than 100 before COVID-19. But since 2021, early entrants have declined, with only 59 participants this year, the lowest since 2011. (name, image, likeness) reflects the environment, making it more worthwhile to stay an extra year than in previous eras.
“Each additional game played in the pre-draft season increases the likelihood of an underclassman declaring early by approximately 3% to 5%, depending on the control group. Strength of schedule also influences early entry decisions. Impact: Underclassmen who gain more human capital in the pre-draft season are more likely to declare early.
“Our research also shows that a team’s success may play a role in declarations. For every additional win an underclassman’s team has in the season before the draft, the chance of early entry increases by ~2% 3% increase.” — Brad Humphreys, Professor of Economics and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research, WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics
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