The NCAA is set to vote in June on a five-year eligibility proposal that would apply to every Division I athlete, effectively rewriting the landscape of college sports.
If the measure passes, the rule would grant each player a full five seasons of eligibility, doing away with the existing redshirt and waiver systems that have long allowed teams to stretch out playing time.
Implications for Indiana University football
Indiana University’s football program stands to benefit from the change, as a handful of current players who have not yet taken a redshirt season would see their eligibility extended by an extra year.
Turbo Richard, a running back who currently has two years of eligibility remaining, would see that total rise to three; Davion Chandler, a wide receiver with three years left, would move to four; Lebron Bond, another wide receiver, would also gain an additional year, extending his window from three to four; Nick Marsh, a fellow receiver, would shift from two to three; Charlie Becker, a receiver, would go from two to three; Amare Ferrell, a safety, would move from one to two; Byron Baldwin, a safety, would extend from three to four; Quan Sanks, a safety, would rise from two to three; Garrett Reese, a safety, would go from three to four; Jaylen Bell, a cornerback, would extend from three to four; AJ Harris, a cornerback, would move from one to two; Rolijah Hardy, a linebacker, would increase from two to three; Daniel Ndukwe, an edge player, would go from two to three; Mario Landino, a defensive lineman, would extend from two to three; and Billy Gowers, a punter, would see his eligibility climb from three to four years.
The ripple effect will also be felt by the incoming freshman class of 2026, who will automatically be placed on the five-year plan as soon as they step onto campus.
Coaches and analysts alike predict that the new framework could reshape roster planning, scholarship allocation and the timing of player development across the nation.