Graduating high school seniors

Question
QUESTION: I am aware of the rule pertaining to graduating "super star" high school basketball players that cannot go directly to the Pros without playing at least a year of college basketball.
Is the rule the same for a super star football players?
Or can they be drafted directly into the pro ranks by a team.


ANSWER: Hello Don,

  In football, a player has to be at least a college sophomore before going pro. So, no, they can't be drafted straight into the pros out of highschool.

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QUESTION: Then you are saying that a high school football player MUST go to college since you are answering that he must be a college sophomore before going pro.  I really don't think this is correct..
Can a player just sit out a year of far that matter play in Canada or Europe?

Answer
Ok,

  Well, I know that my answer is correct. Have you seen any of the All-Army All Star games, there are guys out there 6'3", 270 lbs. A NFL proto-type defensive end, highschool-all-american. You would think that at least one of these kids would go pro. It's definitely on their mind, but the league rules don't allow it. They said Adrian Peterson was ready when he came out of highschool. Honestly, it is the rule.

Actually, the rule says that a player must be three years removed from highschool before he can enter the rookie draft. so if you want to get technical, then no, he doesn't have to go to college. But, he can't go straight to the NFL.