The NCAA announced this week that Division I athletes will now have a five‑year window to complete up to five seasons of competition, a shift that does away with the traditional redshirt and waiver system.
Eligibility begins at a student's first college enrollment or in the academic year following their 19th birthday, and the clock can be paused only for religious missions, military service, or maternity leave.
The change is intended to bring a younger demographic back to Division I play, especially in sports such as basketball where players can now accrue games for development without sacrificing a season of eligibility.
Coach Kaleb Canales Weighs In
Weber State men’s basketball coach Kaleb Canales said he will meet with his staff to evaluate how the new framework might affect roster planning and player development.
Under the new model schools and athletes can elect to remain under the previous rules or adopt the age‑based approach, and waivers to reclaim lost eligibility will no longer be granted except for those who qualified before July 31.
Broader Implications for College Sports
While basketball sees the most pronounced adjustments, football will experience only modest changes because it already permits up to four regular‑season games while preserving a redshirt year.
The NCAA hopes the revised eligibility structure will create more competitive balance and give student‑athletes greater flexibility in balancing academic and extracurricular commitments.
Looking Ahead
If the policy proves successful, it could reshape talent pipelines and alter the recruiting calculus for programs that have traditionally relied on redshirting to extend player development.