NCAA Advances Age-Based “Five-for-Five” Eligibility Proposal

On April 27, 2026 the Division I Board directed the Division I Cabinet to advance a model granting student-athletes five seasons in five years. Clock starts academic year after high-school graduation or athlete’s 19th birthday, whichever is first. Redshirt seasons are removed; exceptions cover pregnancy, military service and religious missions. Rule is not retroactive for athletes whose eligibility ends by spring 2026.

NCAA Moving Toward New Age-Based Eligibility Rule for Division I Sports

Proposal follows years of eligibility lawsuits, including COVID-19 extensions that gave some players up to nine years. An April 2026 executive order from former President Donald Trump urged uniform standards. Officials say a fixed “black-and-white” clock will curb “judge shopping” and simplify compliance.

The Source

Key figures include NCAA President Charlie Baker, board chair Tim Sands (Virginia Tech), board member Sam Edwards (Michigan State) and coaches Shane Beamer (South Carolina) and Ryan Day (Ohio State). Players Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt) and Seth Trimble (North Carolina) have voiced opposition.

NCAA advances age-based eligibility pitch; not retroactive for ’25-26

Removing redshirts forces football and other programs to plan five-year rosters without “saved” players, lowering transfer-portal churn. Recruiters may adjust offers, while older international athletes could face shorter careers.

Raleigh News & Observer

The NCAA said the four-season-in-five-year rule stays for 2025-26. Tim Sands said the board “fully supports student-athletes receiving benefits.” Charlie Baker told ESPN, “If you’ve used up your eligibility, you’ve used it up,” and is optimistic it will pass. Sam Edwards called it “a world of sense in football.” Coaches Beamer and Day welcomed the season.

ESPN

Tyler Nickel posted on X, “So we had to play with and against fifth years our entire time in college, but we don’t get one? And everyone after us gets one too?” Seth Trimble entered the transfer portal, warning the exclusion of the 2025-26 class could spark lawsuits.

WRAL

All sources agree the rule is non-retroactive, but none confirm whether the May 22 cabinet meeting will produce a binding vote; exemption details remain unclear.

247Sports

• “If you've used up your eligibility, you've used it up,” — Charlie Baker, NCAA President

ESPN

• “The time is now to reform the period of eligibility rules to provide Division I student-athletes and our schools clear and consistent standards that align with current college athletes’ experiences,” — Tim Sands, Virginia Tech President

NCAA takes step toward 5-in-5 eligibility rule

• “This makes a world of sense in football for coaches and players alike, especially in the context of roster limits, where coaches can now use their entire roster without worrying about ‘saving’ a subset of players for redshirts.” — Sam Edwards, Michigan State football player

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• “(S)o we had to play with and against fifth years our entire time in college, but we don’t get one? (A)nd everyone after us gets one too?” — Tyler Nickel, former Vanderbilt basketball player

NCAA advances age-based eligibility pitch; not retroactive for ’25-26

The Division I Cabinet meets on May 22, 2026 to discuss and possibly vote on the proposal. If approved, the five-for-five model could take effect for the 2026-27 academic year, reshaping eligibility, recruiting and roster management across Division I athletics.

NCAA takes step toward 5-in-5 eligibility rule