This sums up the SEC's position quite clearly

Rookie mini camp is a short, three-day event held after the NFL draft, typically for about 40–60 players (draft picks, undrafted free agents, and non-roster tryouts)
ESPN
ESPN
. While it’s not mandatory for all players, those who attend are paid under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Once again, no one can walk onto an NFL practice field without signing a stack of forms. So he signed something

If it did not entail remuneration for services rendered than it's not a contingent employment contract. Training camp demands a contingent employment contract.

I can see what's REALLY going on here. Mr. Sankey has some explaining to do.

I understand the idea that we should sign these guys so no one else can when they are ruled eligible. BUT if no one else is going to sign any training camp cut 5th year guys, then we need to give it up. The original idea was don't lose potential players to other schools. Well other schools aren't signing these types of guys so we aren't at a disadvantage. I thought for sure once the NFL made cuts that there would be a flood of 5th year guys in the portal and once 5 other SEC schools signed one then the whole things would be dropped because you can't punish everybody. But it seems like we are alone in signing the NFL training camp rejects. Alone is where you get singled out and martyred.

We are not the only school signing training camp rejects. We are the only school, so far, that has signed a player (2) that signed a contract.

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That's a strange place to draw the line in the sand between "Amateur" and "Pro" athlete.

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Why do you feel trying out in a rookie mini camp vs actually being on an official roster is a strange place to draw a line in the sand? Why did you leave out on a 90 Man Preseason Roster in your comparison since that seems to be where the line was drawn?

In some ways I agree with you, but that's only because I believe the line should be drawn at entering the NFL draft despite the rules being announced in June. That's the way it has been forever and in my opinion should stay there.

If it was left there we would not be having these discussions today.

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How about comparing to Zxavian Harris. From what I can find, he signed a contract but had $0 guaranteed money and no signing bonus. So the only difference between him and Hutson is that he signed a contract. He was even cut before preseason games.

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It’s even worse than that. Harris never stepped a single toe on a practice field due to his injury. He had surgery in March and spent the entire camp on the “Non-Football Injury” list before getting waived.

It’s all a fricking joke.