The NCAA approved a major rule change on Tuesday, allowing players up to five years of eligibility.
The change eliminates the previous rule of four seasons of eligibility across five years. Now, student-athletes have five years of eligibility starting from their time of enrollment or their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
According to a release from the NCAA, the change “streamlines a significant portion of the Division I rulebook,” and eliminates redshirt rules and season of competition limits.
“The Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee has met with student-athlete leaders across Division I, and we consistently heard that student-athletes want an eligibility model that is simple to understand, transparent to administer, and applied fairly across all sports and schools,” the Division I Student-Athelete Advocacy leadership team said in a statement in the NCAA release. “This rule change, which clearly establishes an individual’s period of eligibility, provides student-athletes with greater certainty as they plan for college and make important decisions regarding enrollment, competition and degree completion.”
The rule will be fully implemented in fall 2027. Athletes who competed in the 2025-26 academic calendar, and athletes who will enroll for the 2026-27 season can choose between the current eligibility rule or the age-based model, depending on “whatever is most beneficial to the student athlete,” according to the release.
Bulldogs like women’s basketball forward Favour Nwaedozi, men’s basketball guard Josh Hubbard and wide receiver Anthony Evans III, who all are entering their senior seasons in 2026-27, would have another year of eligibility according to the rule.
Athletes who ran out of eligibility in 2025-26 will not be given any additional eligibility.
Jake is the Mississippi State athletics reporter for The Dispatch.
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