The NCAA is reportedly considering a proposal to allow student-athletes across all sports an additional fifth year of eligibility, according to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.
Currently, NCAA rules permit athletes five years to compete in four seasons, accommodating a redshirt year while preserving a year of eligibility. In September, discussions began around allowing student-athletes to participate in a portion of games during a fifth year without losing redshirt status.
If approved, sport-specific committees would determine how many games athletes in each sport can play before exhausting a year of eligibility.
This potential shift is part of a broader NCAA review of its eligibility requirements, fueled by recent changes such as NIL legislation and the transfer portal. Legal challenges, like the temporary injunction allowing Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to extend his college football career into 2025, are also pressuring the organization to reevaluate its policies.
Pavia’s case highlights a significant issue: the NCAA’s practice of counting JUCO participation against eligibility when athletes transfer to Division I schools. The court ruled in Pavia’s favor, citing antitrust law violations, which could open doors for similar challenges in the future.
As the NCAA navigates these legal and policy discussions, the potential for extended eligibility marks a significant development for student-athletes across the board.