Do You Have to Go to College to Play in the NFL?

The NFL (National Football League) is the biggest professional football league in the world.

Every year, millions of young players dream about making it to the NFL and playing alongside their heroes.

Most NFL players start by playing college football, but not everyone has to.

The path to the NFL usually goes like this: play football in high school, get a scholarship to play in college, perform well, and then enter the NFL Draft.

But here’s the exciting part — college football isn’t the only way to reach the NFL!

Do You Have to Go to College to Play in the NFL?

Some players have taken completely different paths and still made it to the big leagues.

Do You Have to Go to College to Play in the NFL?

This is the big question! Let me give you the simple answer: No, you don’t have to go to college to play in the NFL.

However, there’s an important NFL eligibility rule you need to know: You must be three years out of high school before you can enter the NFL Draft.

This means you have to wait three full years after graduating from high school.

During those three years, you don’t have to play college football.

You could:

• Train privately with coaches and work on your skills
• Play in other leagues, like arena football or leagues in other countries
• Play another sport and switch to football later
• Work a regular job and train on the side

The key point about NFL draft requirements is time, not college. You need three years to pass — what you do during that time is up to you!

How the NFL Draft Works?

The NFL Draft is how teams pick new players every year. Think of it like a big selection day where all 32 NFL teams take turns choosing players they want.

Here’s how it works in simple steps:

The draft is like a big school selection day. Teams pick players they want to play for them.

Before the draft happens:

• NFL scouts watch players and write reports about them
• Players attend the NFL Combine, where they run, jump, and show their skills
• Teams interview players to learn about their personality
• Each team picks players in order (worst team picks first to keep things fair)

The draft has 7 rounds, and each team gets one pick per round. That’s over 250 players chosen every year!

Famous NFL Players Who Never Played College Football

Here are some amazing NFL players without college experience who made it to the league through different paths:

Player Name	Background	NFL Team	Fun Fact
Antonio Gates	Played college basketball, not football	San Diego Chargers	Became one of the best tight ends ever
Jordan Mailata	Former rugby player from Australia	Philadelphia Eagles	Never played football before the NFL
Michael Lewis	Beer truck driver before the NFL	New Orleans Saints	Became a top return specialist
Stephen Neal	College wrestler	New England Patriots	Won 3 Super Bowls

These players prove that you don’t have to play college football to succeed in the NFL. But they all had incredible athletic ability and worked extremely hard!

NFL Eligibility Rules in Simple Words

Let’s break down the NFL eligibility rules so they’re super easy to understand:

• You must be three years past high school — this is the most important rule
• You can skip college football if you’re good enough — but it’s very rare and difficult
• You must be physically and mentally ready for professional football (it’s tough!)
• Most players still go to college to train properly and get noticed by NFL scouts
• You must declare for the draft — you can’t just show up; you have to officially enter

The three-year rule exists because the NFL wants players to be mature, stronger, and more experienced before facing professional competition.

Real Stories: College vs Non-College Path

The College Path (Most Common)

Going to college gives you:

• Professional coaching and training facilities
• Game experience against other top players
• Exposure — scouts watch college games closely
• Education — you get a degree while playing
• Teamwork skills and discipline

Over 95% of NFL players come through college football. It’s the proven path!

The Non-College Path (Very Rare)

Jordan Mailata’s incredible story is a perfect example of how to join the NFL without college football:

Jordan was a rugby player from Australia who had never played American football.

He learned the game by watching YouTube videos and working with special coaches.

The Philadelphia Eagles took a chance on him in the 7th round of the draft, and now he’s a starting offensive lineman earning millions!

But Jordan’s path was extremely difficult.

He had to:

• Learn all the rules from scratch
• Build completely new skills
• Prove himself without any football game experience
• Work twice as hard as everyone else

Can You Go Straight from High School to the NFL?

No, you cannot go straight from high school to the NFL. The NFL has a strict rule about this.

You must wait three full years after your high school class graduates. This means even if you’re the best high school player ever, you still have to wait.

Why does this rule exist?

• NFL wants players to grow stronger and mature — 18-year-olds aren’t ready for 300-pound defenders
• Helps prevent serious injuries — young bodies need time to develop
• Gives time to gain experience — you need to learn advanced plays and strategies
• Protects young athletes from getting hurt or overwhelmed too early

The NFL draft age limit helps keep players safe and gives them time to improve their skills.

How Much Do New NFL Players Earn?

Once you make it to the NFL, even as a rookie, you’ll earn good money!

Rookie Salaries (2024 Numbers)

• Minimum salary: $795,000 per year for first-year players
• Top draft picks can earn $20-40 million in their first contract
• Signing bonuses vary a lot depending on which round you’re picked in

Here’s a comparison table showing how draft position affects pay:

Draft Round	Example Bonus	Example Player
1st Round	$26.8 million	Caleb Williams (1st pick, 2024)
4th Round	$850,000	Mid-round pick
Final Pick (7th Round)	$78,000	“Mr. Irrelevant”

Even the last player picked still earns nearly $80,000 as a signing bonus, plus their $795,000 salary!

Other Ways to Get NFL Experience

If you’re wondering how to join NFL without college, here are some alternative paths players have used:

Play in Other Football Leagues

• Canadian Football League (CFL) — many players develop here first
• XFL or USFL — spring football leagues that NFL scouts watch
• Arena Football — indoor football that teaches quick thinking
• International leagues — play in Europe or other countries

Train at Private Facilities

• Work with former NFL coaches
• Join specialized training academies
• Attend NFL regional combines (open tryouts)
• Build highlight videos to send to scouts

Excel at Another Sport First

Like Antonio Gates (basketball) and Stephen Neal (wrestling), you can become an elite athlete in another sport, then transition to football. But you still need that athletic foundation!

What Skills Do You Need?

Whether you go to college or not, you need these abilities to make the NFL:

• Incredible athletic ability — speed, strength, and coordination
• Football knowledge — understanding plays, positions, and strategies
• Mental toughness — the NFL is extremely competitive
• Dedication — training every single day for years
• Coachability — willingness to learn and improve constantly

College helps develop all these skills, which is why it’s still the most popular route.

Summary: Is College the Only Way?

So, do you have to go to college to play in the NFL? The answer is no, but college is definitely the easiest and most common path.

College helps most players reach the NFL, but it’s not the only way. What matters most is skill, discipline, and hard work.

The truth is:

• About 1.6% of college football players make it to the NFL
• Even fewer non-college players make it (maybe 1-2 per year)
• The three-year rule applies to everyone — no exceptions

If you’re serious about playing in the NFL, college football gives you the best chance. You’ll get coaching, competition, exposure, and education all at once.

But if college isn’t for you, don’t give up on your dream! Train hard, find opportunities to play, stay in great shape, and prove you have what it takes.

The NFL looks for talent wherever it can find it — even if that’s driving a beer truck like Michael Lewis or playing rugby like Jordan Mailata!

Your journey might be different, but your dedication has to be the same. 🏈