NFL Allows Draft-Eligible Underclassmen to Participate in Three College All-Star Games

Underclassmen granted eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft can play in the East-West Shrine Bowl, HBCU Legacy Bowl, and Senior Bowl, opening wider opportunities for exposure to NFL scouts.

The NFL has announced a significant change to the pre-draft process for underclassmen, who will now be allowed to participate in three major College All-Star games: the East-West Shrine Bowl, HBCU Legacy Bowl, and Senior Bowl. This policy only applies to underclassmen granted eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft.
The change presents a greater opportunity for exposure for these players, who often don't declare until late in the process and have a smaller window to demonstrate their skills to NFL scouts. Before this change, underclassmen not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine primarily relied on pro days and private workouts ahead of the draft.
In recent history, there has been a reduction in the number of underclassmen receiving special eligibility. It peaked in 2018 with 106, but has consistently dropped since, with 99 in 2021, 73 in 2022, and 69 in 2023.
While all-star events like the Senior Bowl had previously admitted fourth-year juniors who had completed their degrees, most underclassmen were otherwise ineligible to participate in these all-star events.
This policy revision could have significant implications for players deciding whether to go pro. In the past, the NFL tried to dissuade underclassmen from going pro unless they were likely early-round picks, hence why all-star games were reserved for seniors.