4 Reasons Fans Should Be Glad Terrelle Pryor Is Eligible for Supplemental Draft

Earlier today, the NFL announced that former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor would indeed be eligible for the supplemental draft, rescheduled for Monday, August 22.

Once drafted, Pryor will be required to sit out the first five games of the season, as the NFL is enforcing the suspension dealt to him by the NCAA at the end of last season.

While Pryor's place in the league is still less than secure, here are four reasons why fans should be happy that the NFL declared him eligible.

Terrelle Pryor Is a Versatile Option for Many Teams

Like Tim Tebow before him, many analysts are saying that Terrelle Pryor's value in the NFL may not lie in his quarterback skills but in his size and mobility.

To that end, Pryor may wind up drafted by a team looking to shift him to tight end, wide receiver or, perhaps, a hybrid position combining quarterback with either tight end or receiver—in a role similar to that of former Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randel El.

This would make him a versatile addition to many teams; as a quarterback, with no NFL training camp experience, the market is limited for him.

It would serve Pryor well to market himself as more versatile than just a quarterback.

Fans Love to Hate Terrelle Pryor

Terrelle Pryor is a polarizing figure in the world of sports. From the simple fact that he was an Ohio State starting quarterback, to his string of NCAA violations, he engenders a great deal of acrimony from fans across the spectrum.

Having Pryor join an NFL team gives the fans who thrive off of rivalry another reason to get worked up. Pryor generates controversy and he attracts attention.

Even negative publicity is still publicity, and the NFL enjoys getting—and keeping—the fans talking. Pryor's entrance into the league guarantees the conversation won't end any time soon.

Fans Love to Love Terrelle Pryor

Fans of Ohio State football are undyingly loyal. Once former head coach Jim Tressel announced his (forced) resignation, hundreds of fans marched to his front door to show their support.

Whichever team chooses to draft Terrelle Pryor will have a similar experience of having life-long Ohio State fans suddenly having their new player's back.

No matter what Pryor has been accused of during his time at Ohio State, he still belongs to those fans, and those fans will reward his performance in college by continuing to support him in his professional career.

It's interesting, and rare, to see such a beleaguered player continue to see such love from fans that he ultimately harmed with his actions.

But thus is the nature of Ohio State football, and thus is the nature of fandom.

We Can All Move on Now That Pryor Is Eligible

Never before has the NFL supplemental draft received so much media attention. What is usually a very quiet affair has become one of the most talked-about storylines this side of the lockout.

Terrelle Pryor's unique situation has made every fan of the game all of the sudden have an opinion on an event that perhaps many of them, a year ago, didn't know even existed.

Now that Pryor has been ruled eligible, fans can go back to their normal lives of discussing preseason games, rookies on the bubble and fantasy football picks, and the supplemental draft can return to its position of relative obscurity.