Showdown Due Over Collegians’ Jumping to NFL

The National Football League, NCAA and sports agents are headed for a showdown over the emotional question of underclassmen entering the professional draft.

The announcement today by Alabama linebacker Keith McCants that he will skip his senior year to turn pro is only the opening round of the controversy. Other underclassmen are waiting for McCants to act, say lawyers and agents.

Some NFL teams are evaluating as many as 35 underclassmen in anticipation of a mass exodus from the college ranks in April. The possibility is real that 20 or so may make the jump. College coaches and fans will be infuriated.

“It’s stunning that there could be so many coming out,” said Michael Duberstein of the National Football League Players’ Assn. “You could have about two full rounds of new players coming in.”

As the parties point accusatory fingers at each other, the feeling persists that the issue will end up in court. NFL sources say the league is finally considering a legal challenge to an underclassman’s petition, even though lawyers say it would have virtually no chance to succeed.

If the NFL doesn’t act, players might. Possible lawsuits range from players suing over the restrictions of developmental squads, a proposed wage scale and the overall anti-trust question.

The NFL has accepted players with eligibility, including Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders from Oklahoma State last year. Generally, they have been heading into their fifth year.

Many of the prominent prospects this year have not been red-shirted and are true juniors.

Other top underclassmen said to be considering the draft: USC linebacker Junior Seau; USC defensive back Mark Carrier and West Virginia quarterback Major Harris.

The NFLPA, recently reduced to a voluntary union from a bargaining agent, welcomes a battle. Duberstein said the NFLPA is encouraging collegians to challenge the NFL in court and will fund any lawsuit. The NFL would probably not allow a challenge to go very far, say lawyers familiar with the league’s position. Monetary risk might be too great.

By hinting at legal action, the league may be doing nothing more than rattling a public relations saber.

“The NFL is in a very difficult position,” said Washington sports attorney Philip Hochberg. “The colleges will accuse them of encouraging the players to come out early no matter what the NFL does unless they take whatever steps are necessary to try to stop it.”