The NCAA moved one step closer in its efforts to implement the ‘five-for-five eligibility rule.’ This new ruling follows an age-based concept granting all student-athletes five years of eligibility. While the concept has been brought forward at league meetings, it has yet to be adopted.
Under the new system, players would be given five years of eligibility from the moment they turn 19 or graduate high school, whichever happens first.
Former Heisman winner Robert Griffin took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his opinion about the potential rule change, claiming the following:
“If the NCAA moves eligibility to 5 years to play 5 seasons from when you graduate high school or turn 19 years old, they have to make an exemption for religious based schools like BYU and UTAH who routinely have student athletes go on 1-2 year mission trips before they ever play.”
Griffin pointed out the religious retreats carried by Utah, BYU as well as other schools that can interfere with student-athletes’ eligibility and called on the NCAA to make an exemption for the same.
While such mission trips are in no way mandatory, students can still opt to take mission trips while deferring their classes. Class of 2026 commit Ryder Lyons became the latest student-athlete to take up a mission as he announced in a social media post.
While Griffin pointed out the need for an exemption, the Division I cabinet overseeing the ruling would account for exemptions for circumstances such as pregnancy, military service, and religious missions.
NCAA President Charlie Baker Optimistic About New Eligibility Changes
In an interview with ESPN, NCAA President Charlie Baker expressed optimism regarding the new changes getting implemented, with a possible Division I cabinet voting scheduled for as early as May 24.
Baker also confirmed that the new ruling would not affect players already enrolled in programs and would only be applicable to future classes:
“Maintain existing rules — allowing four seasons of competition in five years of eligibility — for student-athletes competing in the 2025-26 academic year; new rules are not expected to retroactively apply to student-athletes whose eligibility is or will be completed by the spring of 2026.”
While there have been discussions about certain sports gaining immunity from the rules, Baker confirmed in the interview that the age limit will be applied to every student-athlete regardless of sports.
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