The NFL announced on Friday night that a record number of college underclassmen declared for the 2013 NFL Draft. Officially, 73 underclassmen are preparing themselves for this year’s draft, and have been granted “special eligibility” by the NFL, which is a record for the league.

In 2011, just 56 underclassmen left early, and in 2012, 65 left. The number continued to increase this season. 201o, the final year before the rookie wage scale, which is now implemented, saw just 46 underclassmen enter the draft. That’s a 58% increase since 2010. In fact, the average from 2004-’11 was just 49.

In 2012, 34 of the 44 underclassmen selected were taken in the first three rounds. When players are being picked that early before becoming a senior and working their way into that king of money, why wouldn’t these players take it? Why risk your body on the field in college, with zero pay? You’re either going to make starter money in the NFL, or you’re going to be able to make a great salary while working your way up the NFL totem pole. You can always go back and get your degree.

The first-round is expected to be a large make-up of juniors in 2012. We know, as of now, at least seven of these underclassmen that will be drafted first round in April: Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel, Florida State DE Djoern Werner, Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones, Alabama CB Dee Millner, LSU OLB Barkevious Mingo, Ohio State DT Johnathan Hankins and LSU DE Sam Montgomery.

The full list of underclassmen entering the draft is listed below by alphabetical order. (Chart from JSonline.com)

Follow Christian Hardy on Twitter – @CHardySports

Follow Down and Distance on Twitter – @DownandDistance