NFL scouts given more access to college underclassmen

NFL scouts will get more access to college underclassmen under an agreement announced Monday between the NFL and American Football Coaches Association. Schools

NFL scouts will get more access to college underclassmen under an agreement announced Monday between the NFL and American Football Coaches Association.

Schools will be able designate five underclassmen for special eligibility after they have completed their second seasons of college football. NFL teams can scout them similarly to the way the league evaluates in their senior seasons.

Schools can petition the NFL to have more than five underclassmen given special eligibility.

Starting in February 2017, some players will be permitted to participate in school pro scouting days a year before they would be permitted to apply for early entry into the draft.

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For example, a player such as Clemson's Deshaun Watson, who was a sophomore last season, could have taken part in Clemson's 2016 pro day under these rules.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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AP college football website: college football.ap.org