NCAA Division I cabinet approves 5-in-5 age-based eligibility model
By Ethan Stone
Published:
A new eligibility model is coming to Division I.
On Tuesday, the NCAA Division I cabinet met and unanimously approved the 5-in-5 age-based eligibility model, though the decision will not be official until the cabinet’s meetings conclude on Wednesday. According to an announcement from NCAA’s PR account on X, more details are to follow.
This is a massive moment in the history of college athletics. Under this model, college players will have 5 years to play 5 seasons in a DI sport. The 5 years start A.) upon their enrollment in college or B.) when they turn 19 years old, whichever comes first. Nobody 24 or older will be able to play in Division I moving forward, and a redshirt will become a thing of the past. Expect details incoming for international recruits.
Athletes who are currently enrolled with eligibility remaining past 2025-26 can either apply the age-based model or continue with the previous eligibility rules, whichever is most beneficial to that individual.
Of course, there will be plenty of hurdles to come. This adoption is likely to invite a flurry of lawsuits. You can find more information regarding small technicalities and model applications for current student-athletes in this post from Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger:
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
