While nearly 300 football prospects were being put to the test at the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis last week, 20 current college football players were preparing for a pro career at the NCAA Football Elite Student-Athlete Symposium.
Hosted by NCAA leadership development staff nearly every year since 2017, the symposium aims to prepare high-profile football student-athletes with eligibility remaining for the transition from college football to the NFL. Student-athletes are invited to the symposium after NCAA staff members consult with coaches, athletics administrators, professional sports officials and other experts closely linked to draft prospect lists. Among the former participants who have experienced success in the NFL are Ja'Marr Chase, Micah Parsons and C.J. Stroud, the reigning NFL offensive rookie of the year.
"It's an honor to be able to come here and be surrounded by the top guys in the country," said Will Campbell, an offensive lineman at LSU. "To be able to learn and be around these guys … it's just kind of a surreal moment to be in this situation at this point in my life."
This year's attendees, representing 12 schools, engaged with prominent speakers with NFL experience both on and off the field, as well as other industry professionals. Topics covered included financial literacy, personal branding, film review best practices and client-agent relationships. The speakers also engaged attendees in discussions about building relationships and maintaining well-being.
Several sessions focused on the importance of developing character outside of football and how that will aid players in the draft process. Ray Farmer, former NFL general manager and current senior personnel executive for the Los Angeles Rams, provided insight into what teams will look for beyond athletic talent. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage in mock interviews, which provided a glimpse into questions they may be asked by NFL representatives throughout the process.
"The biggest benefit I see (this event) giving me and all the participants here is more knowledge and understanding of everything that goes on behind the scenes, away from the football field," said Drew Allar, quarterback at Penn State. "Picking your agents, financial literacy … all those sorts of things. It was really cool to learn all the behind-the-scenes stuff and get some former general managers and player personnel in there talking to us about what they look for in draft picks and what can help and hurt your stock."
"The great speakers that we had all had a lot of positive impact," added Josh Conerly Jr., an offensive lineman at Oregon. "I've taken tons of notes on every single talk. I feel like there's at least two or three things that are in my notebook that will stay with me for life."
The symposium also featured a panel discussion with current and former NFL players. Panelists included Alim McNeill, a former NC State defensive tackle who just finished his third season with the Detroit Lions, and Trey Flowers, a former defensive end at Arkansas who has played in the NFL since 2015. Tre Stallings, the Conference USA associate commissioner of football operations and an Ole Miss alum who spent four seasons as an offensive lineman in the NFL, moderated the discussion, which focused on navigating the transition from college to the NFL and how to ensure longevity in the league.
"Having insight from people who played at different times in the league, you got a little bit of both worlds and how things have changed and how things are now," Conerly said. "To get all of that from them helps prepare me for once I get to where they're at. The conversation that we had about how you can positively impact the team whether you're a first-round draft pick or undrafted free agent and (how) having that positive impact on the team can keep you around longer … that's something that stood out to me."
The players also had the opportunity to attend the NFL combine, providing them with a front-row seat to the environment they may encounter next year.
"The combine was a really cool event to even just be at," Allar said. "I grew up watching it on TV, but being there at the physical place where it all happens is really cool to see. Just to see the type of environment it is, how unique it is and how quiet it is at some times because everybody is focused on doing the best they can… it was really cool to see and to know what to expect for whenever I hopefully get to the combine."
Jamil Northcutt wrapped up the weekend as the event's keynote speaker. Having held roles with Major League Soccer, the NCAA, the NFL, the Cleveland Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs, Northcutt brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the event. He spoke with attendees about understanding individual core values, building relationships, developing character and preparing for life after football. He encouraged the players to focus on staying true to themselves throughout the transitions they will face throughout their lives.
"I think (this event) will prepare me for what's to come in the future in terms of the NFL and also what's coming in the future in terms of life," said Sonny Styles, a safety at Ohio State.
"It's definitely a cool opportunity," added Benjamin Morrison, a cornerback at Notre Dame. "Being able to take the knowledge back from the headquarters to our respective universities, I think that's going to be unique."
