The NFL has a rule that says only football players three years out of high school can apply for the NFL draft. Last week a Federal court said the rule violates antitrust laws. The NFL has appealed.

What the ruling does is to open the draft to anyone out of high school, including all college players. The NFL argues many such young players are not physically or psychologically ready.

The American Football Coaches Association, in an article in USA Today this week by executive director Grant Teaff, said the same thing and added that students would “lose the opportunity to continue their education…”

The ruling gives college presidents another chance and reason to take control of their athletic departments, many of which have become mega-sized and megalomaniacal.

The NFL opposes the ruling because college football programs are its feeder system. If the NFL had to pay for such a league to produce players, it would cost a fortune. The colleges do it for free. The NFL wants kids to stay in school to receive maximum preparation for the NFL, even if few will actually make it.

The coaches and big-time football schools oppose the ruling because it means their stars might leave school early for the draft. They think that will affect wins and revenue.

The ruling will have virtually no impact on the NFL. Few players will come out earlier than now, and if they do, they can be shipped to the European NFL for training.

Colleges will suffer from losing a few stars early, but they should be pleased for the player who can do that rather than rattling the tin cup. Fans will still show up for good old State U on Saturday afternoons.

Neither side has the student/athlete as a prime interest. College presidents should.

The idea that an athlete who drops out of college to go pro somehow loses his ability to receive an education is a long-standing, emotional, non-reality position. The kid who leaves for the pros can go to any school he wants whenever he wants.

With only 54 percent of scholarship football freshmen who entered college in 1996 having received a degree, one might get the idea a lot of college football players have little desire to graduate anyway. If they want to, they will, with or without the pro draft, be available.

Teaff said in his article “…the legal system will recognize the uniqueness of football…” and overturn the ruling.” What? There is nothing unique about college football compared to other sports or, Lord forbid, compared to the student after a math degree.

College presidents have an opportunity to say their football programs do not exist for the benefit of the NFL or for over paid college coaches. Players are admitted as student/athletes. They can play so long as their academics meet the set requirements for all students.

If the player wishes to cast his fate to the NFL draft, that is his decision.

College presidents should embrace the court ruling and treat the football player like any other student who finds an opportunity he/she believes they can’t afford to pass up. Now that would be unique.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and NBC sportscaster.