Tommy: College athletes should never leave college before they receive their degree because there is life after football. Since most players rarely ever make a name for themselves, shouldn’t education be a priority?

Nick: I would agree with you for the most part, but there are still exceptions. If you are in a position to make millions of dollars in the NFL by leaving early, take it. There is no need to risk an injury or a bad season in college that will hurt your draft value.

Tommy: Even though it may be tempting to take the money, no one is a ‘sure thing.’ Mark Sanchez took the money and even though the Jets have had moderate success with him at the helm, he is also what’s holding them back from going all the way. He’s immature.

Nick: Yes, but he would not have been any better if he had stayed in college for another year. Take Andrew Luck. His draft value hasn’t really changed from last year to this year. The only difference is the millions and millions of dollars that he gave up to stay an extra year in college.

Tommy: You can enter the NFL draft and leave college incomplete, or you can finish what you went to school for, an education, and come out into the NFL with the added confidence that comes with an impressive academic accomplishment.

Nick: Look, I have respect for the athletes who want to finish all four years of college before entering the draft, but sometimes the financial aspect of the NFL takes precedent.

Tommy: You’ve worked so hard for three years and then you leave before you can even finish?

Nick: You go to college to get an education. You get an education to get a good job and hopefully earn good money. If  you can get a good job with great pay as a junior in college, take it.