"Elite means you are among the very best of the group you are in". TA is battling for an NFL roster spot and is only one of 3,000 on a roster. It takes elite athleticism to be one of the 3,000. The "group" we are talking about is TA the NFL prospect not TA the potential All-Pro. How many kids play college football? How many of those want to play college football.Regarding the "eliteness" of TA's athletisim, your definition is far different than mine. Elite means you are among the very best of the group you are in. In this case it would be NFL players...basically, only the "Pro Bowl" type guys are elite in the NFL...not simply guys signing free agent contracts that aren't likely to make the team and are far less likely to ever play a single down. At the college level, a player would need All-American status, or something close to it to be considered elite. TA isn't close to all-BIG.
The 3,000 count is not just college football seniors, it is all returning NFL players from Aaron Rodgers to Tom Brady. It is roughly 300 collegiate seniors vying for jobs against 2,700 returning NFL veterans.
AC above - the former NFL player - agrees on this subject.