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NCAA Approves Five-Year Eligibility for College Football

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

The NCAA approved a five-year, age-based eligibility model for U.S. college football players.
The reform allows fourth-year starters who have not redshirted—such as Devon Dampier, Avery Johnson, Jaylen Raynor, Anthony Colandrea, Aidan Chiles, Jackson Arnold and Nick Minicucci—to return for a fifth season.
Coaches, including Utah’s Morgan Scalley and Kansas State’s Collin Klein, said the extra year eases redshirt decisions and gives quarterbacks a safety belt.

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Story summary

The NCAA approved a five-year, age-based eligibility model for U.S. college football players.
The reform allows fourth-year starters who have not redshirted—such as Devon Dampier, Avery Johnson, Jaylen Raynor, Anthony Colandrea, Aidan Chiles, Jackson Arnold and Nick Minicucci—to return for a fifth season.
Coaches, including Utah’s Morgan Scalley and Kansas State’s Collin Klein, said the extra year eases redshirt decisions and gives quarterbacks a safety belt.