When the NFL draft passed without a call for former Indiana University running back Shares, the dream that had driven him since high school seemed to vanish. Now, a growing online conversation suggests the 24-year-old faces a new reality: homelessness. The story, first shared on Reddit, has sparked debate about the risks faced by athletes who fall through the cracks of college sports systems.
Shares, who played for the Indiana Hoosiers from 2020 to 2023, was never drafted, a fate shared by nearly 90% of college football players. According to verified records, he transferred to Indiana in 2020 after initially enrolling at another program, a move that placed him outside the early-2021 eligibility window for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. This timing may have left him without the financial opportunities that now support many collegiate athletes. A 2023 NCAA report found that 68% of Division I football players received NIL compensation, though amounts varied widely.
The Path to a Forgotten Dream
Shares’ college career began in 2019, before NIL rules were established. He transferred twice—first to a program that did not offer a clear path to playing time, then back to Indiana as a walk-on in 2020. Walk-ons, who make up 35% of college football teams, typically receive no scholarship or financial aid, according to the NCAA. At Indiana, he appeared in 12 games over three seasons, rushing for 429 yards and two touchdowns, per the university’s official stats.
After his final season, Shares entered the 2023 NFL draft but went undrafted. While some undrafted players sign with teams as free agents, Shares has not been linked to any professional opportunities. A search of NFL team rosters and practice squad listings shows no mention of his name. His social media profiles, which once featured game highlights and team photos, have since been deactivated.
A System Designed for Few
The story highlights the stark realities for athletes who never reach the professional level. Only 1.6% of NCAA football players earn NFL contracts, according to a 2022 Sports Business Journal analysis. For those who don’t, the transition to civilian life can be abrupt. A 2021 study by the University of Georgia found that 40% of former college athletes faced financial instability within five years of graduation.
Shares’ case also raises questions about the role of NIL in college sports. While the policy was intended to provide financial support, its benefits have been unevenly distributed. A 2023 report by the NCAA showed that Division I football players from lower-income backgrounds were 22% less likely to secure NIL deals than their peers. “The system is built for the 1% who make it to the pros,” said Dr. Maria Thompson, a sports economist at Stanford University. “For the rest, it’s a numbers game they’re often not prepared for.”
What Comes Next?
As of now, there is no official confirmation of Shares’ current living situation. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development does not track homelessness data by individual, and no local shelters have publicly identified him. However, a Reddit post from February 2024 claimed he was seen sleeping in a downtown Indianapolis park, a detail that could not be independently verified.
Advocacy groups are using the story to push for better support systems. “We need to rethink how we prepare athletes for life after sports,” said Kevin Lee, executive director of the Athletes for Life Foundation. “Too many are left without a safety net.” The foundation recently launched a pilot program offering financial literacy workshops and job placement services for former college athletes.
For now, the focus remains on the broader implications. As college sports continue to evolve, the question of what happens to those who don’t make the cut remains unanswered. For Shares, the next chapter is uncertain—but his story has already sparked a conversation about the hidden costs of the game.
Share your thoughts: What role should colleges play in supporting athletes who don’t go pro? How can the system better prepare players for life after sports?
