Editing NFL draft (section)

==Events leading up to the draft==

===NFL Draft Advisory Board decisions===
{{Main|NFL Draft Advisory Board}}
College football players who are considering entering the NFL draft but who still have eligibility to play football can request an expert opinion from the NFL-created Draft Advisory Board.  The Board, composed of scouting experts and team executives, makes a prediction as to the likely round in which a player would be drafted.  This information, which has proven to be fairly accurate, can help college players determine whether to enter the draft or to continue playing and improving at the college level. There are also many famous reporting scouts, such as [[Mel Kiper Jr.]]

===NFL Scouting Combine===
{{Main|NFL Scouting Combine}}
The NFL Scouting Combine is a six-day assessment of skills occurring every year in late February or early March in [[Lucas Oil Stadium]] in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]. College football players perform physical and mental tests in front of NFL coaches, general managers, and scouts. With increasing interest in the NFL draft, the scouting combine has grown in scope and significance, allowing personnel directors to evaluate upcoming prospects in a standardized setting. Its origins have evolved from the National, BLESTO, and Quadra Scouting services in 1977 to the media frenzy it has become today.
Athletes attend by invitation only. Implications of one's performance during the Combine can affect perception, draft status, salary, and ultimately his career. The draft has popularized the term "Workout Warrior" (sometimes known as a "Workout Wonder"), describing an athlete who, based on superior measurables such as size, speed, and strength, has increased his "draft stock" despite having a possibly average or subpar college career.<ref name="Cheifetz">Isaac Cheifetz, ''Hiring Secrets of the NFL: How Your Company Can Select Talent Like a Champion'' (2007), 68, available at [https://books.google.com/books?id=w-SWFfqK27IC&q=%22workout+warriors+are%22&pg=PA68 Google Books]</ref><ref name="Eisen">Rich Eisen, ''Total Access: A Journey to the Center of the NFL Universe'' (2007), 128, available at [https://books.google.com/books?id=CUzp-T6ywyUC&dq=%22workout+warrior%22+draft&pg=PA128 Google Books]</ref><ref name="ESPN">[https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=schoenfield/060427 David Schoenfield, ''Page 2: The 100 worst draft picks ever'', ESPN.com, April 26, 2006] (see No. 45, Mike Mamula, a "workout wonder")</ref>

===Pro Day===
Each university has a Pro Day, during which the [[NCAA]] allows NFL scouts to visit the school and watch players participate in NFL Scouting Combine-like events and drills. Some smaller universities join with nearby schools. They are essentially [[job fair]]s for prospective NFL players.<ref name="earley20130322">{{cite news | url=http://hamptonroads.com/2013/03/job-fair-sorts-odu-local-football-players | title=A 'job fair' of sorts at ODU for local football players | work=The Virginian-Pilot | date=March 22, 2013 | access-date=March 27, 2013 | author=Earley, Steve}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=2021 NFL Draft: Scouting Combine invite list released despite no in-person workouts | first=Josh | last=Edwards | date=March 3, 2021 | work=CBS Sports | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-scouting-combine-invite-list-released-despite-no-in-person-workouts/}}</ref>

===Pre-draft visits===
Each NFL team is allowed to transport a maximum of 30 draft-eligible players for the purposes of physical examinations, interviews, and written tests.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/05/breaking-down-the-rules-regarding-pre-draft-rookie-visits/|title=Breaking down the rules regarding pre-draft rookie visits| work=ProFootballTalk| publisher=NBC Sports|date=April 5, 2011|access-date=March 4, 2018}}</ref> If a player attends a school or grew up in the same "[[metropolitan area]]" as the team that is inviting the player, that visit is not counted towards the 30-player limit.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2017/4/5/15181218/how-the-nfl-permits-some-pre-draft-visits-to-not-count-towards-a-teams-total-steelers-pittsburgh|title=How the NFL permits some pre-draft visits to not count towards a team's total|work=Behind the Steel Curtain|date=April 5, 2017|access-date=March 4, 2018}}</ref>

=== All-Star games and events ===
Up until the 2023 season only Seniors or graduates students could participate in the all-star games, but for the [[2024 NFL draft]] the league eased its rules to allow juniors to participate in three college football postseason all-star games: the [[Senior Bowl]], [[East–West Shrine Bowl]] and the [[HBCU Legacy Bowl]], while all other all-star games  will not be allowed to invite underclassmen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=College football all-star games to allow NFL draft-eligible juniors|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38850163/college-football-all-star-games-allow-nfl-draft-eligible-juniors|website=ESPN |date=November 8, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
==== Senior Bowl ====
{{Main|Senior Bowl}}

The Senior Bowl takes place 3–4 weeks after the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship]] in Mobile, Alabama. The purpose of this game is for college football players to show off their skills for NFL scouts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Game |url=https://www.seniorbowl.com/the-game |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Senior Bowl |language=en}}</ref> Kevin Faulk, Von Miller, Dak Prescott, Phillip Rivers, and Patrick Willis were some of the players who had successful NFL careers after playing in the Senior Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall Of Fame |url=https://www.seniorbowl.com/hall-of-fame |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=Senior Bowl |language=en}}</ref>

==== East-West Shrine Bowl ====
{{Main|East–West Shrine Bowl}}
Started in 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl is the oldest running college all-star game. The game is played by college players who plan on joining the NFL draft. The East-West Shrine Bowl gives coaches and players an opportunity to show off their abilities and learn from NFL coaches and players, and also raises money for [[Shriners Hospitals for Children]]. Popular East-West Shrine Bowl alumni include Tom Brady, John Elway, and Brett Favre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us – East West Shrine Bowl |url=https://shrinebowl.com/about-us/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== HBCU Legacy Bowl ====
{{Main|HBCU Legacy Bowl}}
Started at 2022, it's intended for [[National Football League draft|NFL draft]]-eligible players from [[historically black colleges and universities]] (HBCU). The game is played at [[Yulman Stadium]] in [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] and it's usually the last all-star game in the draft cycle. It's also hosts the NFL's HBCU Combine, which was previously held at the [[Senior Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/hbcu-legacy-bowl-will-host-the-nfls-hbcu-combine|title=HBCU Legacy Bowl Will Host the NFL's HBCU Combine|website=SI.com |date=August 31, 2022 |accessdate=August 31, 2022}}</ref>

==== Hula Bowl ====
{{Main|Hula Bowl}}
A [[Hawaii]] based post-season [[college football]] [[all-star game]] held annually, usually in January, with the purpose that players to show off their skills for NFL scouts. Some popular Hula Bowl alumni are [[Mike Ditka]], [[Larry Csonka]], [[Jack Ham]] and [[Dan Marino]].

==== Tropical Bowl ====
{{Main|Tropical Bowl (all-star game)}}
Held since 2016 in [[Florida]], with over 350 alumni playing in the NFL.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tropicalbowl.com/alumni |title=Alumni |website=tropicalbowl.com |accessdate=January 15, 2022}}</ref>

==== College Gridiron Showcase ====
{{Main|College Gridiron Showcase}}
An independently operated annual post-season college football event held since 2015 in [[Texas]] for small college players from [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|FCS]], [[NCAA Division II]], [[NCAA Division III]], and the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]. and select players from around the world, designed to get these players in front of NFL teams and other professional leagues. The event originated as a post-season all star game in 2015, but switched to its current drill showcase and "controlled scrimmage" format in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-11-25|title=Press Release: College Gridiron Showcase is back for 2016|url=https://cgsallstar.com/2015/11/press-release-college-gridiron-showcase-is-back-for-2016/|access-date=2020-10-21|website=College Gridiron Showcase|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition to on-field drills, the event also features educational seminars to educates players on the business side of an pro career.

==== Other smaller events ====
Some of the smaller post-season [[college football]] [[all-star game]]s which are held annually are:
* '''[[FCS Bowl]]''' and '''[[National Bowl Game]]''' - Two independently operated annual post-season college football all-star games, played each December in [[Florida]] since 2014. The games are open exclusively to NFL draft prospects from [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] and lower divisions (respectively) with both played as a doubleheader.
* '''[[Dream Bowl (all-star game)|Dream Bowl]]''' - Held since 2013, is an independent All-Star Showcase for players from the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] and lower divisions, that sent multiple players to pro leagues.<ref>{{Cite web|title=College bowl games attract NFL hopefuls, large crowds to Roanoke|url=https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/college-bowl-games-attract-nfl-hopefuls-large-crowds-to-roanoke/|website=WFXR |date=January 17, 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Dream Bowl Alumni With Pro Shots!|url=https://www.dreambowl.net/dream-bowlers-in-the-pros|website=Dream Bowl |language=en-US}}</ref> The game is always held on [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] Day weekend to celebrate his legacy and to follow after this iconic "[[I Have a Dream]]" speech. The event was first held in [[Roanoke, Virginia]] but since moved to the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]] in [[Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Redmond and Meints compete in the Dream Bowl|url=https://thesimpsonian.com/27084/sports/redmond-and-meints-compete-in-the-dream-bowl/|website=The Simpsonian |language=en-US}}</ref> Between 2017 and 2022 it ran a separate event called '''HBCU Spirit of America Bowl''' which featured [[Historically Black Colleges and Universities]] players and was played a day before the "Dream Bowl".
* '''[[HBCU Pigskin Showdown]]''' - A [[historically black colleges and universities|HBCU]] dedicated all-star game which is played each December in [[Selma, Alabama]] since 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.nbcsports.com/2022/12/15/2022-hbcu-pigskin-showdown-from-the-march-to-the-football-field/|title=2022 HBCU Pigskin Showdown: From the March to the Football Field|website=NBCsports.com |date=December 15, 2022 |accessdate=December 15, 2022}}</ref>

==== Past major events ====
* '''[[Chicago College All-Star Game]]''' - The game was played from 1934 to 1976 (except for 1974, due to that year's NFL strike) between the NFL champions and a team of star college seniors from the previous year, and was run by [[Chicago Tribune]]. The game was the prominent college all-star game while played. In the 42 College All-Star Games, the defending pro champions won 31, the All-Stars won nine, and two were ties, giving the collegians a {{winning percentage|9|31|2}} winning percentage. The 1976 College All-Star Game remains the last time an NFL team has played any team from outside the league.<ref name=Grogan>{{cite journal |last=Grogan |first=John |title=The College All-Star Football Classic |journal=The Coffin Corner |year=2000 |volume=22 |issue=2 |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/22-02-841.pdf |access-date=January 30, 2012 |publisher=[[Professional Football Researchers Association]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218181543/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/22-02-841.pdf |archive-date=December 18, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* '''[[Blue–Gray Football Classic]]''' - Annual college football all-star game held in [[Montgomery, Alabama]] from 1939 to 2003, usually in late December and often on [[Christmas Day]]. The format pitted players who attended college in the states of the former [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]], the "Grays", who wore white jerseys, against players who attended school in the northern half of the country, the "Blues", who wore blue jerseys, and also sometimes including players from western teams. Both teams wore gray pants. It was the first game who paid players for their participation.
* '''[[North–South Shrine Game]]''' - Annual postseason college football all-star game played each December from 1948 to 1973 in [[Miami, Florida]], with a final game in 1976 in [[Pontiac, Michigan]]. The game was sponsored by the [[Fraternal organization|fraternal]] group [[Shriners|Shriners International]], with proceeds used to support the [[Shriners Hospitals for Children|Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children]], and was similar game to the [[East–West Shrine Game]], which still active and has been played since 1925.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Lu4vAAAAIBAJ&pg=3692,4429255 |title=North–South Game Canceled |newspaper=[[Lakeland Ledger]] |location=Lakeland, Florida |agency=Associated Press|date=August 16, 1974}}</ref>
* '''[[Japan Bowl]]''' - All-star game played in [[Japan]] each January from 1976 to 1993, which showcased East and West all-star teams made up of college football players from the [[United States]]. The bowl featured various famous participants, including [[Heisman Trophy]] winners [[Bo Jackson]] and [[Ty Detmer]], who both received MVP awards. 
* '''[[NFLPA Collegiate Bowl]]''' - The event was founded in 2012 by the [[National Football League Players Association]] (NFLPA) as a post-season [[college football]] all-star game for [[National Football League draft|NFL draft]]-eligible college players. Players predominantly, but not exclusively, were from teams within the [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Football Bowl Subdivision]] (FBS) and the [[Football Championship Subdivision]] (FCS). Starting with the 2018 edition, the game has been held at the [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]] in [[Pasadena, California]]. The event was established in part to prepare draft-eligible college football players for a career in the [[National Football League|NFL]]. During the week preceding the game, the NFLPA provides an introduction to the players union and educates players on the business side of an NFL career. Current and former NFL players are invited to attend the week's events to share their NFL experiences with the draft eligible players.<ref name=Alper11>{{cite news |title=NFLPA will hold pre-draft game in Los Angeles |author=Josh Alper |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/07/nflpa-will-hold-pre-draft-game-in-los-angeles/ |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=7 November 2011 |access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref><ref name=Hoffarth13>{{cite news |title=Q&A with Dick Vermeil: Former UCLA, NFL coach becomes teacher again with NFLPA Collegiate Bowl |author=Tom Hoffarth |url=http://www.sgvtribune.com/sports/ci_22380163/tom-hoffarths-q-dick-vermeil-former-ucla-football |work=[[San Gabriel Valley Tribune]] |date=15 January 2013 |access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref><ref name=Berkes12>{{cite news |title=ESPN, NFLPA announce multiyear agreement for Collegiate Bowl |author=Peter Berkes |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/2012/12/18/3781408/nflpa-collegiate-bowl-espn |work=[[SB Nation]] |date=18 December 2012 |access-date=5 June 2013}}</ref> In 2023 the NFLPA decided to cancel the game after 12 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NFLPA scraps its postseason bowl game|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nflpa-scraps-its-postseason-bowl-game|website=NBC Sports |date=August 8, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>