NCAA redraws college eligibility framework … And you thought you were having a tough time figuring out just where players stood in terms of eligibility for the next draft! The NCAA is set to completely revamp eligibility criteria for college sports by allowing/permitting athletes to compete for 5 seasons but only within a 5-year time span. The playing window for an athlete begins with their enrolment in college or the start of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs earlier. Among other things it means the end of red shirting and medical exemptions, although there are exceptions for pregnancy, religious missions and military service. The changes, which were adopted on June 23, take effect this fall; however, there are exceptions for current athletes. Those that had completed 4 years in school this year will not be given a 5th year of eligibility, although they can still apply for a medical hardship year up until July 31st. Those with less than 4 years of college experience can choose either the old or new rules depending on their circumstances. That would mean, for example, that 3rd year junior Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, the consensus top player in college football, who would have one more year of eligibility after the current season under the old rules, would have a 5th season under the new regime should he opt to go that route. Otherwise, its pretty straight-forward!
