Big changes might be coming to college football, and it could reshape the entire game! According to Jon Rothstein, the NCAA is considering a revolutionary rule tweak that could allow athletes to have five years of eligibility in all sports starting soon. This hot topic is set to be discussed more in early 2025, and it could be a game-changer.
Clemson’s head coach, Dabo Swinney, has been one of the most vocal advocates for this rule change. While he supports the current policy, which allows players to participate in up to four games and still maintain their redshirt status, he believes it’s led to some unexpected problems. The current system has led to situations where players play in four games, transfer, and then sit out the rest of the season to preserve their eligibility. Swinney pointed out that this happened to Clemson’s Kelly Bryant back in 2018 when he left after four games and transferred to Missouri.
Swinney is pushing for a five-year eligibility window, which he believes would put an end to these issues and help stabilize rosters throughout the season. He even suggested that players should still be able to access one medical redshirt, keeping their chances intact while maintaining flexibility. “With five years, guys would stick around, and it would eliminate all the opt-outs,” Swinney said. “This way, players could develop and move on without feeling pressured to leave or waste a year of eligibility.”
With a new roster cap set for 2025, this rule change could give coaches the ability to manage their teams more effectively, keeping things organized and competitive. Stay tuned—college football is about to get a lot more interesting!
