A federal judge in Washington has confirmed that athletes who entered college in 2022 and have exhausted their fourth year of eligibility may claim a fifth season of competition, effectively granting them an additional year of athletic eligibility.
Who Benefits From the New Eligibility Rule?
The ruling builds on the NCAA’s ‘five‑in‑five’ policy, approved last summer, which was designed to extend eligibility from four to five years and was originally scheduled to take effect with the 2027 recruiting class. Legal challenges have now cleared the way for the rule to be applied retroactively to those who have already completed four seasons.
For the Oklahoma Sooners, the decision revives the prospect of bringing back several key defenders who finished their collegiate careers without a redshirt year. Defensive end Marvin Jones Jr., linebacker Damonic Williams and utility player Jaydn Ott all fit the criteria for a potential fifth season.
Jones, who started nine games at defensive end in 2025 and went undrafted before signing a contract with the Seattle Seahawks, now faces a choice between a final college season and a professional opportunity that may be limited by his draft stock.
Williams, a 50‑start veteran who also played at TCU before returning to Oklahoma, signed with the Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted, while Ott, a junior who recorded only 68 rushing yards in seven games during the 2025 season, is being projected as a first‑round prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft despite his modest production.
The potential return of these players also raises logistical questions about scholarship limits and roster planning, as coaches must balance the desire to capitalize on an extra year with the practicalities of scholarship allocation and NFL entry timing.
Beyond Oklahoma, the judgment could affect other 2022 recruits who have already entered the draft, such as Gracen Halton, Jaren Kanak, Robert Spears‑Jennings and R. Mason Thomas, who may seek an additional season to improve their draft positions.
Legal analysts note that the decision may set a precedent for future eligibility disputes, prompting college administrators to revisit compliance manuals and athletic scholarship policies in light of the new eligibility landscape.