Since 2016, NFL teams have begun to use cognition tests to help them scout prospects in the NFL Draft class. However, that may change in the future after a prominent sports agency made a significant move to protect their clients on Friday.
Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic first broke the news, detailing that the sports agency named Athletes First has emailed all NFL teams to tell them that they are advising their clients in the 2024 NFL Draft class not to take the S2 cognitive test or any other cognition test.
“After much internal discussion, the agents at Athletes First have directed our draft prospects to respectfully pass on participating in any cognitive or psychological testing during the pre-draft process (e.g. AIQ, S2, etc.),” the email reads via Kahler. We understand that many of your teams use these tests or protocols as part of your prospect evaluation process, however our recent experience with these exams has been less than positive,” the email continued. “Specifically, the fact that certain results and performance were leaked publicly last year demonstrates that there truly is no confidentiality with these tests. It is not right for a player’s intelligence, aptitude or mental processing to be subject to public discussion and ridicule — no other job interview carries the same scrutiny.”
It’s certainly an interesting development in the pre-draft process, which many around the NFL world offered their reactions to on social media.
These cognition tests have been used with all positions, but typically hold the most weight when it comes to the quarterback position.
However, the S2 cognitive test in particular has received a ton of backlash after C.J. Stroud’s test from last year was leaked, revealing that he scored 12 out of 100 on the test, the worst of any player to ever take the test. Stroud of course proved the metric wrong with a terrific rookie season with the Houston Texans.
The email continued on to say that their athletes will be more than happy to take part in standard pre-draft activities and tests, but not cognition tests.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.