Jordan Pope, a Californian point guard who began his collegiate journey at Oregon State before spending two seasons at Texas, is set to join Texas A&M after the NCAA granted him a fifth year of eligibility through a court injunction. His final season at Oregon State saw him average 13.1 points and 1.9 assists per game, numbers that helped secure the additional year of eligibility under the new age‑based model.
Eligibility Landscape
The NCAA's shift to an age‑based eligibility framework replaces the older redshirt system, allowing athletes to compete for up to five seasons. This change was cemented in the 2025 settlement, which also raised men's basketball scholarship limits from 13 to 15, forcing programs to reassess scholarship allocations and roster sizes.
Texas A&M currently fields 16 players, including walk‑on Preston Clark and former scholarship holder Anthon McDermott, who must be removed to meet the new scholarship caps. Other roster members such as Marcus Spears Jr. and Chendall Weaver add depth, while the coaching staff led by Sean Miller and Bucky McMillan prepares the team for the upcoming season.
The Aggies are scheduled to host their SEC rival, the Texas Longhorns, on March 6, with a earlier clash set for February 16. These matchups will serve as a litmus test for how the expanded eligibility rules influence team chemistry and competitive balance within the conference.