The NCAA is proposing significant changes to its eligibility rules.
The Division I Cabinet is expected to review a proposal next week that would give student-athletes five full years of eligibility, with an age limit built in, along with strict rules on redshirts or waiver requests outside of a select group.
According to Yahoo Sports‘ Ross Dellenger, student-athletes would be given five full years of eligibility from their 19th birthday or high school graduation, whichever is earlier.
Waiver requests, redshirts or exceptions would not be permitted outside of a small group of outliers, which would include those on maternity leave, military service or religious missions.
While the Cabinet members are slated to review the proposal at their meeting next week, Dellenger notes that a timeline for approval remains unclear and is “likely weeks or months away.”
However, he noted that the legislation is considered an urgent matter and could be implemented as soon as the fall of 2026, though it would be phased in slowly. The NCAA would aim to avoid limiting the eligibility of current student-athletes who are operating under the current rules but may violate the new policy.
“What’s unclear is if those players completing or having completed their final, fourth season of eligibility will regain a fifth season if they fall within the new policy’s five-year window,” Dellenger said.
Currently, student-athletes have a five-year eligibility clock to complete four seasons of competition, with the option to regain a season of eligibility through a redshirt or waiver request.
The NCAA received 1,450 waiver requests for extended eligibility last year, Dellenger reports, and two-thirds of those were granted. Of the approximately 500 that were not granted, more than 70 have resulted in lawsuits.
The proposal predates President Donald Trump‘s Executive Order, signed last week, but aligns with it, as Trump called for “participation to be limited to a five-year period.”
Last month, SwimSwam reported that United States Senator and former college football coach Tommy Tuberville introduced a bill that would extend eligibility to five full seasons in five years while also limiting transfers, allowing each student-athlete one without penalty and then having them sit out a full season for any additional transfers.
Anyone nervous about the 2027 and d1 commits issue? How many kids in HS are going to be impacted and lose commitments and then where do they go? Many won’t be playing at all – they won’t get a spot?
1) there will always be a spot for a good swimmer – depending on how much ‘prestige’ they’re willing to cede.
2) It seems like the holdup right now is implementation, phasing in, etc. I suspect 2027s will be fine.
What about 21 year old freshmen from other countries?
Well. They would become 21 year old juniors from other countries, unless they served religious missions or military service, I guess.
Not sure if there would be a carveout for international military service or not. Would be curious to know data on 1) how many Americans with prior military service go into NCAA athletics, and 2) How many internationals. Would help inform if the exception for military service benefited American student-athletes more or internationals, and if it was just performative.
So no more Daniel Wiffen situations? Fine by me.
He did not swim NCAA, it was his twin brother. There were probably others in the situation you are thinking off.
A ridiculous overreaction – Just let the kids swim and enjoy the sport.
Who cares if they are in school/swimming for 4,5,6,7,8 or more years?
Does it really hurt anyone?
If a 37 yo woman can score at NCAAs in her 19th year of eligibility – Good for her.
This reeks of sexism, agism and xenophobia.
Wow most just want the Beeeee final back! Now an elusive 5th year. In the 5th year will they be considered pros?
I understand and agree with an eligibility window and age limit.
but what is the thinking behind giving college student athletes a 5th year of competition??
for over 50 years NCAA athletes have had 4 years of competition!
until the late 60’s freshman could not swim on varsity teams
not until the early 70’s could basketball and football freshman play 4 years of varsity
so why now 5 years??
why?
The cynic’s answer is probably some combination of “it’s easier to retain your good swimmers for a 5th year than try to start over fresh every year” & “a compromise toward future negotiations” & “if I’m investing millions I want to get a 5th year out of it” (when combined with the new transfer limitations).
The public line will be that most Americans take more than 4 years to finish a bachelor’s degree. Which is technically true, though that data usually includes part time students.
I believe the thinking is that there’s plenty of athletes who will only be competing for 4 years even with the 5 years of eligibility due to injury, etc. This is a way for the NCAA to not have to deal with who is a redshirt, etc.
If you allow 5th years, fewer athletes will be entering D1 swimming each year due to roster caps. Not sure this a win at all for our sport.
I think it solves one problem while creating another.
The 5th year gets really tricky in sports where there’s a lot of money to be made. U Sports has five years.
I wrote an editorial about this – but all of these things put increasing pressure on coaches further down the ladder to perform. But it’s also an opportunity for them to bring in more talent. There are always college swim teams that are struggling to fill out their rosters, so it’s not like there’s a lack of opportunities. The perceived shrinking of opportunities in swimming is always shrinking at the top of the food chain, which is where everyone is focused. It’s fed by ego and this idea that… Read more »
NCAA must have found out about David Johnson
Sure, because the NCAA wants to change football, basketball, and baseball eligibility because of a single swimmer. Totally buying that.