Nick Saban Breaks News On New NFL Underclassmen Draft Grading System

Nick Saban says he hears teams will only get five draft grades per team, and options will only be 1st, 2nd or stay in school.

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) July 17, 2014

It appears that Nick Saban and other college coaches were given inside information on changes that the NFL Draft committee was making but hadn’t announced yet. Saban dropped this tidbit at the SEC Media Days and it was later confirmed by NFL insiders/officials.

Saban breaking big news today: NFL confirms draft guidelines changed. 3 grades given: 1st, 2nd, stay in school. 5 player max per team. #LSU — Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) July 17, 2014

FYI: Saban was correct. Per @NFL, underclassmen will now be given 3 grades: 1st-round, 2nd-round, or neither, which equals “stay in school”.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 17, 2014

Correction, were 5 draft grades previously: 1) As high as 1st; 2) As high as 2nd; 3) As high as 3rd; 4) Not in first 3 rds; 5) Not draftable

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 17, 2014

Saban said Bama had 11 kids put in for grades this year. They might again. But past the 5 allotted, kids have to be approved to get a grade. — Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 17, 2014

The 5 max per team is big news and should hopefully deter too many underclassmen from leaving early and prevent underclassmen entering the draft and going undrafted.