On Thursday, the first day of the 2017 NFL Draft, wide receiver Jalen Robinette received sudden bad news from the Air Force that he was ineligible for the draft. The military service announced the reversal of a 2016 Pentagon policy which allowed graduating Air Force Academy cadets direct access to play in pro sports leagues. The latest rule change reinstates the requirement that AFA graduates with pro prospects must serve 24 months on active duty before completing their commissioned service obligation in the Ready Reserve.

The draft concluded on Saturday with Robinette undrafted. He then tweeted this:

You're out of your mind if you think I'm gonna let someone else hang up my cleats. Momma raised me better than that — Jalen Robinette (@Jalen_Robinette) April 30, 2017

The reversal was quite unexpected. Atlanta Falcon center Ben Garland, who graduated from AFA, tweeted encouragement in the draft to Robinette just hours before the draft started.

I was in my dorm at the Academy studying for a test when the Broncos called me. #draftday Best of luck to my Bolt Brothers in the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/2qTr3dJ6E7 — Ben Garland (@BenGarland63) April 27, 2017

Colorado Springs Gazette sports columnist David Ramsey tweeted that the Air Force’s nixing of Robinette’s draft eligibility was “far beyond disaster status.”

The Air Force's handling of Jalen Robinette's NFL draft status traveled far beyond disaster status. My thoughts: https://t.co/EBDzf3J8a2 pic.twitter.com/vasoHZL75N — david ramsey (@davidlukeramsey) April 29, 2017

Robinette had high expectations of being drafted with strong encouragement from AFA coach Tory Calhoun. AFA allowed Robinette to play in the East-West all-star game and participate in the NFL combine. Robinette had a pro day to be evaluated by NFL team scouts. They were impressed with his ball handling and large size (6-3, 220 pounds) with good length (32 3/8′ arms). His slow speed of 4.62 seconds in 40-dash was a detraction, but he averaged 22.5 yards per catch over the course of his college career. I expected Robinette to be drafted by the fifth round.

So far there the Denver Broncos have not signed Robinette as an undrafted free agent. He is not among the 15 rumored UDFA signings that could become official on Monday.

But the 90-man roster leading up to training camp changes. Perhaps the Broncos will consider going the route they took with Garland. After going undrafted in 2010, he was signed by the club and placed on the reserve/military list in September, 2010 to serve his 24-month active-duty service obligation. Thereafter he joined the team while serving in the Colorado Air National Guard during the offseasons.

It appears that the Air Force has decided to downgrade football at AFA. According to USA TODAY SPORTS’ analysis of NCAA Division I athletic departments’ finances, the AFA has growing chronic subsidies which pay for revenue shortfalls.

According to June 30, 2016 audited financial statements of the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, the athletic department received 41 percent of its revenue from the Department of Defense.

Both West Point and the Naval Academy continue to allow their respective cadets and midshipmen to have direct access to the pro leagues. Keenan Reynolds graduated from the Naval Academy last year and was chosen in the NFL draft sixth-round by the Baltimore Ravens. He converted from college quarterback to pro wide receiver. Two other service academy members were signed as UDFAs last year. The New Orleans Saints placed tight end Garrett Graham (Air Force) on its practice squad and the New York Jets signed fullback Chris Swain (Navy) to its active roster.

If this disparity continues, AFA will be much less competitive in football. For Robinette, his football future has dimmed, but Garland’s experience shows that he still has a chance of landing an NFL spot in two years.