Telling someone how many people make it through the NFL draft can be daunting. It’s an awesome accomplishment for those who make it, and a sobering reminder of how tough it can be for a few. To me, a successful NFL draft journey involves five main components: dedication, luck, timing, preparation, and support; not one can be missing.
I remember being enamored by those who made it through the NFL draft. I’d sit in front of the TV with my family, eating pizza and popcorn, watching some of my favorite players get selected. It was exhilarating! All the hard work they had put in had been rewarded with a professional career. It left me feeling inspired.
At the same time, I also felt the sobering harshness of it all. I saw so many players who were completely devoted to the sport that didn’t make it. They did everything records were broken- practice, ate right, never missed a beat- and yet they didn’t make the cut. It was heartbreaking.
In my days of meeting NFL prospects, I’ve noticed the ones that make it through the draft process have a few things in common. They have a strong support system around them- family, coaches, mentors, you name it. They are dedicated to their craft- setting goals, working hard and constantly pushing themselves. They understand the odds. And finally, they’re prepared. They have their foot in the door with the opportune timing and the right connections. Knowing what to do and when to do it is invaluable.
Few people do everything in their power to get drafted – that’s why only a limited number will make it through to the NFL. That’s why I value the determination and sacrifice of those who are willing to take the risk to pass the test of the NFL draft. They put in the time and effort and went through a journey of ups, downs, joys, and sorrows. If I am fortunate enough to ever get the call to enter the NFL draft, I won’t take the opportunity lightly.
Everyone’s NFL draft story is different, and it shows the range of varied efforts it takes to make it through. It’s hard to know if dedication, luck, timing, preparation and support will be enough, but it certainly helps. You don’t know until you take your chance, so why not go for it? At the end of the day, it just takes someone special and something extra to make it through.