Fifth‑Year Eligibility Opens New Recruiting Frontier
A Colorado court has issued a ruling that allows athletes who entered college in the 2022‑23 academic year to use an extra season of eligibility, effectively fast‑tracking the NCAA’s proposed five‑year eligibility framework. The decision, which is expected to survive an anticipated appeal, creates a new pool of fifth‑year players who can market themselves to programs still searching for depth before the next recruiting cycle.
For BYU, the ruling arrives at a critical moment. The Cougars have two open scholarship spots and a glaring need at center after the departure of several front‑court players. Already, they have secured a commitment from Polish big man Jakub Urbaniak, but the coaching staff is eyeing a more experienced option to anchor the paint.
Enter Jaxon Kohler. The 6‑foot‑10 forward spent four seasons at Michigan State, where he helped the Spartans reach the Elite Eight in 2025 and posted a career‑high 21 double‑double performance in that tournament. Last season he averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from three‑point range. After a stint in the Utah Jazz summer league, Kohler filed a California injunction that granted him additional eligibility, prompting him to explore a return to college basketball.
Kohler’s recruitment has attracted attention from several powerhouse programs. According to insider Jon Rothstein, Kansas, Kentucky, BYU and Michigan State are all in the mix. The Utah native met virtually with BYU head coach Kevin Young last week, and reports suggest the meeting left a strong impression on both sides. Kohler, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints and a Wasatch Academy alumnus, cited proximity to family and the chance to showcase a different facet of his game as motivating factors.
Landing Kohler would give BYU a big‑man presence not seen since Yoeli Childs anchored the frontcourt. Pairing him with returning guards Robby McCombs, Collin Chandler and Bruce Branch III could transform the Cougars’ offense into one of the nation’s most potent. Analysts predict that adding a player of Kohler’s caliber would elevate BYU’s offensive rating and make the team a legitimate contender in the Big 12.
The broader implications extend beyond Provo. The NCAA plans to appeal the decision, but legal experts believe the ruling will stand, affecting thousands of fifth‑year athletes across the country. Programs such as Arizona have already capitalized on the new flexibility, signing RJ Godfrey from Clemson to address roster needs. As the August recruiting deadline approaches, the competition for Kohler underscores how the eligibility shift is reshaping the transfer market and intensifying the arms race among conference peers.