Number of football early risers up this spring
As spring football practice for college teams winds down, a record 69 players who normally would be in their last few months of high school have been working out with teams in conferences affiliated with the Bowl Championship Series.
USA TODAY surveyed schools in the six BCS leagues for players who graduated from high school in December — after accelerating their high school studies — and enrolled in college in time for spring practice. USATODAY has tracked the trend for six years. This spring's total is an increase of 16 from last year and a 97% jump from just three years ago, when 35 early entrants enrolled at BCS schools.
PLAYER LIST:Early enrollees from BCS, Notre Dame
But along with the rise in numbers comes a rise in concerns.
Texas coach Mack Brown is among those sounding alarm bells over the trend, acknowledging it's not for everybody. "We do not encourage it," said Brown, who nonetheless has six early entries this spring and 10 over the last two years. "Unless they are adamant about it, we discourage it."
Brown said he will not approve an early enrollee unless the player's family and high school coach are 100% on board with the idea.
Academics are another issue. Jack Blackburn, director of admissions at Virginia, this year told the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics his school is not in favor of the trend.
"We don't really want students to come in January and start in the middle of the year," he said. "We have courses that are very sequential. All freshmen live in the dorms and bond.
"I think it's an uphill battle. It's not fair for the student."
Virginia has not had an early entrant since linebacker Ahmad Brooks in 2003, Cavaliers spokesman Michael Colley said.
National champion Florida leads this spring with eight early entrants.
Notre Dame, which previously had not engaged in the practice, brought in three early graduates for the second consecutive year. Included is quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who was USA TODAY's offensive player of the year last season.
Jimmy Clausen played in last week's spring game and is a candidate to replace Brady Quinn.
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