The stadium shakes under the Friday night lights, as the crowd prepares to watch their team soar to victory. Almost all high schools prioritize football games in their calendars, as they are a big part of high school tradition, Oak Park High School is no exception.
OPHS takes games as a chance to prove itself to its rival schools, but it is also a chance for the players to prove themselves to potential scouts watching. These scouts can determine an athlete’s future as they decide whether to invite these players to their respective colleges.
According to scholarship stats, high school students have a probability of 3% to make an NCAA roster across all divisions. This three out of a hundred decision is already hard enough, but then they have an even lower chance to get to the NFL. Making it almost impossible to play professionally. Calabasas High School is one of the top contenders in the surrounding area, producing college athletes almost every year from their football programs.
With football being the most popular sport in America, the likelihood of playing beyond college is so minuscule that some players do not even plan on it. Roughly speaking, 1,083,308 high school football players were competing for a draft pick in the NFL, and eventually, 251 made it to pro, wrote Ohio State University.
Although this may be true, Oak Park High’s football program has had various levels of success over the years. Matt Byer was an outstanding player at OPHS. In 2013, Byer set a Southern Section record with 30 touchdown receptions and accumulated 100 receptions for 1,929. His exceptional performances earned him multiple accolades including being named the CIF Offensive player of the year. Byer went on to compete at division one Brown University as a wide receiver. Matt Byer will forever be remembered as one of the best football players OPHS has ever produced.
While Oak Park High’s football program has celebrated its individual successes, like the outstanding achievements of Matt Byer, the broader realm of football particularly at the college level, shows a contrast. The new emphasis focuses on the financial powerhouse that these large football programs can become. Leaving the focus of individual achievements and accolades. This is seen in Alabama Crimson Tide’s revenue generation.
Almost 2% goes towards the biggest profit maker for the college. According to George Malone from Yahoo Sports, Alabama Crimson Tide Football raises $130.9 million in revenue on average each year. The total revenue of the entire school is only $100 million more than what their football program brings in. With profits from widespread endorsements and athlete branding for players being put towards the school, a hostile environment is created where the school reaps the benefits of its athletes. Only the most elite athletes can gain sponsorships for brands where they get their stake.
The NCAA said that athletes are made to feel competitive against their teammates to fight for this top stop. Some may say that college football players are technically paid through scholarships and the education offered at the school.
However, college athletes do not get to make their own decisions as they are still students who report to school every day. This works with OPHS students as well. Without attending class or meeting grade requirements, our athletes aren’t able to play.
High school football players going into college football are put in a dangerous position with their investment in playing football in college.
Professional competition is the aim for most college athletes, but with the odds heavily against them, this dream most likely will not come true.
Almost pro, almost broke.
