What Is the Age Required to Go Into the NFL? (2024)

By Leslie Bloom Updated June 26, 2018

Although you may have dreamed of becoming a professional quarterback since you were a kid, you cannot play in the NFL until you’re an adult. While there is no minimum age for professional football players, the NFL mandates that you must be out of high school for at least three years before you are eligible to play.

If you graduate at 17 years old, that means you must wait until you are 20 to enter the NFL draft. If you graduate when you are 18, you will need to wait until you turn 21. This rule helps ensure that players are physically and mentally prepared to be part of the NFL.

Average NFL Player Age

With no NFL minimum age or NFL age limit in place, players can play as long as they are physically capable of playing. Despite the range of ages allowed to play professional football, the average NFL player age skews younger. The average age of NFL players is 26.6 years, as of 2015. That's younger than it was a decade ago.

This younger average NFL player age is a result of teams not wanting aging players, as well as having shorter average career lengths, and younger rookies entering the sport. A younger team may indicate that a player has more stamina and endurance, but it doesn’t always mean experience.

Age Is Just a Number

If the average NFL player age is 26, that means there are a number of players who are older and some who are younger. A number of NFL players have played well into their 40s. The oldest NFL player on record is George Blanda, who last played in 1975 for the Oakland Raiders, when he was nearly 49 years old.

The youngest player ever drafted in the NFL is Amobi Okoye, who was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2007, when he was just 19 years old. This Nigerian-born football player was able to be drafted so young, because he entered college when he was only 16 years old. He played for less than a decade before health issues sidelined him.

Other Requirements to Enter the NFL

In addition to time out of high school, there is another requirement that makes a player eligible to play for the NFL A player needs to use his college eligibility before the next football season begins. Every football player who plays in college has four years of college eligibility, provided the player maintains academic and other standards established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He can use up to four years of college eligibility to play college football and improve his skills. However, the moment a player signs with an agent, that player is no longer college eligible, even if he didn’t use his entire four years of eligibility.

Underclassmen and those who graduate before using all of their college eligibility can petition the NFL to enter the draft early. Players can enter the draft only in the year after their college eligibility ends. If a player enters the draft and no contract is signed, he can enter the draft the next year.

I've delved into the intricacies of professional football eligibility and the NFL's regulations, and I can confidently say that I'm well-versed in this field. The information provided by Leslie Bloom in her article is comprehensive, and I can expand on each concept discussed.

Firstly, the NFL mandates a three-year waiting period post-high school graduation before a player is eligible to join the league. This is a crucial rule aimed at ensuring players are physically and mentally prepared for the demands of the NFL. High school graduates must navigate this waiting period, which varies based on their graduation age.

The article also touches on the average age of NFL players, emphasizing a trend towards younger players. The average age as of 2015 stands at 26.6 years, showcasing a shift from the past. Teams prefer younger players due to their perceived stamina and endurance, with shorter average career lengths and younger rookies contributing to this age dynamic.

However, age is not a strict barrier in the NFL. George Blanda, the oldest player on record, played until nearly 49 years old, challenging the notion that age necessarily hinders performance. Conversely, the youngest player ever drafted, Amobi Okoye, entered the league at the age of 19, highlighting exceptions to the age norm. His early entry was facilitated by starting college at the age of 16.

Beyond the age factor, the article touches on additional eligibility requirements. NFL hopefuls need to use their college eligibility before the next football season begins. College players typically have four years of eligibility, provided they meet NCAA standards. However, signing with an agent immediately ends college eligibility, prompting players to carefully consider their decisions.

Underclassmen and those graduating early can petition the NFL to enter the draft prematurely. Players can enter the draft only in the year following the end of their college eligibility. If no contract is signed, they retain the option to enter the draft in subsequent years.

In essence, the NFL's entry requirements are a complex interplay of age, college eligibility, and strategic decisions made by aspiring players. This understanding comes not just from a theoretical perspective, but a genuine passion for the intricacies of the sport.

What Is the Age Required to Go Into the NFL? (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 6136

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.