The NCAA has adopted a rule that lets Division I football players who enroll before turning 19 use up to five years of eligibility, effectively removing the traditional redshirt structure and giving athletes like Kenny Johnson a longer window to develop.
Johnson, a receiver who moved from Pittsburgh to Texas Tech, has already logged 47 catches for 616 yards and four touchdowns in his last two seasons and is now preparing a senior campaign aimed at catching the eye of NFL scouts.
Brenden Jordan, a safety who has already completed four years on campus, is evaluating the prospect of a fifth year while also working toward a business degree that he expects to finish by the fall semester.
Running back Cameron Dickey, who topped the Big 12 in rushing yards and touchdowns last season, supports the rule change but remains focused on earning a draft selection before he would need to consider an additional year.
Punter Will Karoll, a newcomer to the program, is also weighing the fifth-year option, though he emphasizes that the immediate season is his priority regardless of future eligibility.
Balancing sport and scholarship
For many of these athletes, the decision hinges on a delicate balance between extending their playing time and completing degree requirements, a calculus that could influence the next wave of college football strategy.