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SEC Commissioner Urges Schools to Add Fifth-Year Players

8/13/2026

Summary

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey sent a memo on Tuesday urging member schools to add fifth-year players to their rosters.
He instructed each school’s compliance office to coordinate any decisions with SEC staff.
Sankey said recent court rulings do not broaden eligibility relief and that current SEC rules, including intraconference transfers, remain in effect.
The NCAA is appealing a Colorado judge’s injunction that granted 2022 graduates a fifth season.

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Story summary

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey sent a memo on Tuesday urging member schools to add fifth-year players to their rosters.
He instructed each school’s compliance office to coordinate any decisions with SEC staff.
Sankey said recent court rulings do not broaden eligibility relief and that current SEC rules, including intraconference transfers, remain in effect.
The NCAA is appealing a Colorado judge’s injunction that granted 2022 graduates a fifth season.