Last week, the NCAA unanimously approved the “five-for-five” rule, drastically altering the eligibility rules for Division I student-athletes.
The approved rule – similar to that proposed in the Protect College Sports Act (“PCSA”) – permits Division I student-athletes up to five years of eligibility if they enroll in college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday.
This rule effectively eliminates the traditional red-shirt rule and many waiver-based eligibility extensions.
The NCAA’s quick adoption of the five-for-five rule may signal its intention to implement other components of the PCSA without waiting for formal passage of the proposed legislation.
Much more to come as the college athletics landscape continues to evolve!