Can F1 student be sponsored for employer-based green card WITHOUT going h1-b?

As title, can F1 student be sponsored for employer-based green card WITHOUT going h1-b?


As the new 29-month OPT rules announced, it becomes more possible (except people from certain countries with long backlog) to complete the green card process within OPT period. In addition, with the crazy H1-b lottery, it's even no guarantee that the student can get a H1-b before 29-month OPT expires. Therefore, I wonder if the employer can directly sponsor F1 students for green card without first converting the students to H1-b?

Can F1 student be sponsored for employer-based green card WITHOUT going h1-b?
theoretically is possible yet unlikely and the reason behind it is that in order to get an employer based green card you must be hard core skilled I mean more than just an MBA with 5 years experience.. so a fresh out of college wont be able to qualify, even if the application is submitted.. btw has the 29 month been approved already?