The NCAA has made a few adjustments to their age-based eligibility model for Division I sports, adjusting the language so that an athlete’s clock starts at initial full-time enrollment or at the beginning of the academic year after their 19th birthday, and the cabinet could vote on the proposal as early as June 23rd.
This language change comes after a group of hockey stakeholders put together a document opposing the change due to Hockey’s unique development pipeline that led to approximately 80% of the college freshmen this past season being 20 or 21 according to Mike McMahon of “College Hockey Insider”.
Starting the clock at 19, or at initial college enrollment depending on which comes first, will allow athletes of all sports to continue taking a gap year or spending a year in different development organizations (i.e. junior leagues, military prep schools, etc.) following their high school graduation before their eligibility clock starts.
The NCAA released a statement on Friday which stated: “The Division I Cabinet on Friday continued to discuss elements of the age-based eligibility model that could be considered for a formal vote as early as the end of this month.
The Cabinet modified the age-based model to start a student-athlete’s eligibility clock upon initial full-time enrollment in college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs earlier. This adjustment would be applicable for all sports if the model is adopted.”
The proposal will give athletes five full years of eligibility in five years, and would eliminate the concept of redshirt seasons. Waivers for missing a year without it counting against an athlete’s eligibility would only apply to specific groups, such as those on maternity leave, military service, or religious missions.
The cabinet also emphasized that waivers for current athletes with eligibility under current rules must be submitted no later than July 31st. This would be particularly relevant for swimming athletes like David Johnston and Luca Urlando who are both eligible for another year of NCAA competition despite starting college in the 2020-2021 academic year. While they would not be eligible under the new model, the NCAA has stated that athletes currently enrolled with eligibility remaining after the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year will be eligible under whichever policy is “most beneficial”.
If adopted, the model will take effect beginning with athletes enrolling in college this fall.
The NCAA released the following explanation for implementation process:
- Student-athletes whose fourth season of collegiate eligibility was completed by spring 2026: No additional eligibility.
- Currently enrolled student-athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year: Flexibility for schools to apply the age-based model or continue with the previous eligibility rules (four seasons to compete with five total years of eligibility), whichever is most beneficial to that individual.
- Prospects expected to graduate from high school in spring 2027: Age-based model only.
- Prospects expected to graduate from high school in spring 2026, regardless of planned enrollment date: Age-based model only.
- Prospects who graduated prior to spring 2026 and have not enrolled: The NCAA Eligibility Center will review the prospect’s individual circumstances and apply the age-based model or existing delayed enrollment eligibility rules, whichever is most beneficial to that individual.
