NCAA Reportedly Considering Eligibility Rule Change Based on Age, Impact on Redshirts Revealed

The NCAA is reportedly considering a major rule change that could have a massive impact on the future of college sports.

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported that the NCAA is exploring a significant change to its eligibility rule that would create an age-based standard in which student-athletes would have five full years of eligibility from the time of their 19th birthday or their high school graduation. As part of the new rule proposal, waiver requests, redshirts or exceptions will not be permitted.

The proposed rule change will be reviewed by members of the NCAA Division I Cabinet during a meeting next week. Dellenger reported that the proposal "is considered an urgent matter with potential for implementation as soon as this coming academic year." However, the timeline for approval is not yet clear.

Under the current rules, student-athletes are permitted four playing seasons over a five-year span, with the option to earn an additional season of eligibility through a redshirt or a waiver request. The proposed rule change would create a definitive starting date for the five-year clock.

Dellenger explained that the rule change proposal has "been in the works for weeks, but only recently has been socialized with high-level conference and school administrators." It was also noted that "a small group of outliers" could be granted redshirts or waivers under special circumstances such as maternity leave, military service or religious missions.

The new rule would address a growing issue in college sports that has caught the attention of school administrators and conference executives. The NCAA is facing multiple lawsuits from student-athletes who are seeking to extend their eligibility.

"Differing rulings from federal and local judges have left in their wake a divided and frustrated membership," Dellenger explained. "While the NCAA has won more than half of eligibility lawsuits in which a judge has issued a preliminary ruling, the new age-based standard is expected to provide a step toward avoiding future costly and burdensome legal challenges."