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CHICAGO (AP) — The NFL has denied a request from LSU offensive lineman La'el Collins to be withdrawn from this week's draft and placed in a supplemental draft later this year.
Collins made the request through his agent on Thursday, hours before teams begin making their first-round picks. Collins has been sought by police in connection with the murder of his ex-girlfriend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Police say he is not a suspect in her shooting, but the investigation could scare off some teams.
Collins has been projected as a first-rounder.
The NFL has no precedent or procedure for such a move under draft rules; once a player becomes eligible for the draft, there is no procedure for removal.
In fact, draft rules agreed upon with the players' union specify that the draft cannot be bypassed for a supplemental draft.
Collins was not at the draft Thursday night. He attended an NFL Play 60 event with youngsters on Wednesday, but did not talk to the media.
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