With just one game left in the college football season, NFL clubs are starting to assemble scouting staffs together to discuss the 2022 draft class. At The Draft Scout, we’re also working on our lists before the all-star game schedule and pre-draft process kickoff. The first part of our process is to get a solid list of which players are returning to school and which are declaring for the NFL draft. The league gives players until January 17 to make a decision—and then a three-day window to reverse that decision. This year is more complicated than any before with the NCAA saying the 2020 season didn’t count towards a player’s eligibility. For example, a player like Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has played four seasons at Michigan but his 2020 season didn’t count towards his four years—so he actually could return and play another year.
