Can you go back to college if you declare for the NFL draft? NCAAF and NFL rules explored

As the 2024 NFL Draft draws closer, there are many questions arising about its specific rules and quirks. One of those questions seems to be whether college players are allowed to come back to college football after declaring for the NFL Draft.

Declaring for the NFL Draft is the procedure by which a player officially expresses his desire to leave college football and enter the professional ranks. To be eligible for the draft, a player must be three years removed from his high school graduation.

Regarding the question of whether you would be able to go back to school after declaring for the NFL Draft, the answer is yes. A player could theoretically go back to college football despite declaring for the draft.

The key part of the sentence lies in the phrase theoretically.

What do the NCAA rules say about returning to college football after declaring for the NFL Draft?

In a letter by Chris Howard, NCAA Director of Enforcement, dated November 21, 2023, the ruling body informed the student-athletes wanting to declare early for the draft that the following were the rules for it:

"If you are three years removed from your high school graduation date, you may enter the NFL Draft one time during your collegiate career without jeopardizing your eligibility; provided you are not drafted by any team and you declare your intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 72 hours following the NFL's draft declaration date.

"Student-athletes who enter the NFL Draft early are required to sign and have notarized a petition for special eligibility with the NFL, which renounces all remaining collegiate eligibility unless revoked within 72 hours of the draft declaration date."

So, in short, student-athletes can declare once for the NFL Draft without losing their eligibility but would have 72 hours to reverse the decision. In practice, the best idea would be to declare a few days before the draft and close your fingers for an NFL team to pick you.