While NFL hopefuls showcased their athleticism at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week, 18 standout college football players gathered just a few blocks away at the NCAA Elite Student-Athlete Symposium for Football to prepare for their runway to the next level.
For past attendees, this event has been invaluable. NFL stars like Ja'Marr Chase, Micah Parsons and C.J. Stroud once sat in these same seats. With expert guidance on media interactions, financial literacy, agent selection, film study and the scouting process, student-athletes gained insights that will shape their path to the pros.
Hosted by the NCAA leadership development and football enforcement staffs nearly every year since 2017, the symposium aims to prepare high-profile football student-athletes with eligibility remaining for the transition from college football to the NFL.
Student-athletes are invited to the symposium after NCAA staff members consult with coaches, athletics administrators, professional sports officials and other experts closely linked to draft prospect lists. During the program, attendees engaged with prominent speakers with NFL experience both on and off the field, as well as other industry professionals.
Here are three key takeaways from the event.
1. Mastering the NFL transition: Draft process, film study and combine preparation
The transition from college football to the NFL is multifaceted, requiring players to master not only their on-field performance but also the evaluation process, scouting expectations and professional demeanor.
One of the most eye-opening sessions of the symposium was a deep dive into the scouting and draft process, led by Eric Stokes, former Nebraska standout and longtime NFL scout. Stokes broke down how NFL teams evaluate prospects over an entire year, including:
- Character research: Teams don't just assess talent. They dig into every aspect of a player's life.
- In-depth breakdown of scouting: NFL scouts interview several people in their evaluation process, including coaches, trainers and academic advisors, to build a full picture.
- Red flags vs. green flags: Teams analyze work ethic, leadership and off-field behavior to assess risk.
- The "Player Profile":Before the draft, teams create a final report determining a player's overall value and draft grade.
Cade Klubnik, the starting quarterback at Clemson, gained a new appreciation for the thoroughness of the process.
"I learned a lot about what the scouts are really looking for, what that interview process is like, what their timeline is like," he said. "They're going to be talking to everybody in your own facility. They're not just going to be talking to your coaches or you, but they're going to talk to your student manager who tosses you the football or your nutritionist or the person who makes your shake after a workout. They're going to be trying to talk to everybody they can."
A session focused on film study provided further insights into how NFL teams analyze film. Led by NCAA football development staff members Patrick Higgins and Brian Bell, alongside Ray Farmer, Los Angeles Rams senior personnel executive, the session covered:
- How pro scouts break down game tape.
- How film study can elevate draft stock.
- What mistakes to avoid.
Kansas State safety VJ Payne noted how critical it is to study film with a purpose:
"The film study, that's a big thing. How to watch film and not just sitting there watching it. You have to understand it and what you're looking for," he said.
"I learned how to watch film like a pro, how to watch at an elite level," Klubnik added. "Doing so, you can give yourself the best chance to be drafted as high as you can."
Former NFL players Brandon Spikes, John Battle IV and Kevin Donnalley also shared first-hand experiences of their time in the league. Their discussion provided key insights into the transition from college to professional football.
Additionally, attendees visited the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, learning firsthand that the event isn't just about physical performance; it's about how they present themselves in interviews. Attendees at the symposium went through mock interviews to help prepare for the high-pressure sessions that NFL teams conduct.
2. Financial literacy: Managing NFL contracts and career decisions
For many athletes, an NFL contract represents life-changing money. But knowing how to manage and protect that wealth is just as crucial.
Student-athletes at the symposium went through an important session covering financial literacy, which included essential topics like budgeting, tax planning and investing. Players were also walked through what to look for if they decide to hire a financial advisor.
Additionally, a representative from the NFL Players Association helped break down financial realities of pro football, including:
- Contracts and salary caps:Understanding how team budgets impact player salaries, as well as how their draft position impacts their salary potential.
- Salary breakdowns:Players got a clear picture of taxes, agent fees and union dues.
- The NFLPA's role: How the NFLPA works for the athletes and the benefits of the union, including group licensing and agent certification.
"The (contracts session) was big," Florida offensive lineman Austin Barber said. "This helped me learn that they (agents) work for you, not the other way around. You really are your own business, and that's what's really important to understand and learn."
Luke Fedlam, managing partner and founder of Advance, a name, image and likeness opportunity education company, talked to players about how to have a systematic and intentional decision-making process toward major life, career and business decisions. He also provided tips to athletes on how to protect themselves from potential pitfalls.
"One of the main lessons that I learned was you have to be wise with your decisions," Miami (Florida) offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa said. "Everything is up to you."
3. Media training for athletes: How to protect your image and control your story
The attendees engaged with Aditi Kinkhabwala, an NFL reporter at CBS Sports, and Roman Oben, NFL vice president of football development, on the importance of being media savvy.
Student-athletes learned how a single interview response can shape public perception and how media interactions can impact their draft stock, career opportunities and reputation. The symposium's media training session helped student-athletes refine their interview skills, control their message and protect their image.
Keldric Faulk, a defensive end at Auburn, emphasized the importance of voicing accountability in interviews.
"Whatever happened on the field, that's what you own," he said of his takeaways on this topic. "Any questions you don't want to answer, you don't have to answer. Like, if you really don't have an answer for that question for me, don't answer it. Don't make yourself look bad on the internet. Try to make yourself look as good as possible, but be the real you at the same time."
"The biggest thing that's stuck with me is the media training," Payne added. "The personality and image that you put out there is what people are going to remember. You want to put out a good image."
NCAA Elite Student-Athlete Symposium for Football roster
- Beau Atkinson, North Carolina
- Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Florida)
- Austin Barber, Florida
- Khalil Barnes, Clemson
- Spencer Fano, Utah
- Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Florida)
- Blake Miller, Clemson
- Malik Muhammad, Texas
- TJ Parker, Clemson
- VJ Payne, Kansas State
- Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
- Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
- Wes Williams, Duke
- Peter Woods, Clemson