In today’s day and age, the world of college athletics is always evolving.
This past June, the approval of the NCAA Settlement in the House vs NCAA lawsuit sent shockwaves throughout every Division I institution across the country. The approval allowed for schools to directly share revenue with its student athletes, and provide back pay for athletes who played between 2016 and 2024.
The next issue that appears heading for a collision course with the NCAA?
Eligibility.
A new proposal under consideration by college athletic leaders is a “five-for-five” rule, which would allow athletes to play five full seasons over a five year span. If the proposal is approved it would theoretically get rid of redshirt, waivers and any other reasons for extra years of eligibility.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman discussed the possibility of having athletes play five seasons.
“As far as the 5-for-5, I think it's great for young people to be able to play five years, to not worry about a redshirt,” Freeman said. “It helps us as coaches really not consider, OK, can they only play four games? Can we not play this guy one play in a game? It just allows you to play.”
The proposal’s approval won’t be cut and dry — not much is with the NCAA — as a lot would have to change to accommodate the new rule. For example, scholarships typically run through graduation, so if a player played a fifth season, after already graduating, would they still be under scholarship?
“I think each institution will have to look at what the scholarships entail,” Freeman said. “Is it through graduation? Most scholarships are tied to graduation in terms of four years to get a degree.
“I think each school will have to look at that, or maybe the NCAA will come up with a rule in terms of how long the scholarship is tied to the five years. I think there's a lot of things that are going to have to be worked out, but for young people and really for coaches, I think it's a great thing.”
As for Notre Dame, Freeman doesn’t see his program operating much different than it does already.
“I don't know if you would really approach it any differently, right?” Freeman said. “You just don't want to waste somebody's year knowing that you only got five-for-five, right? Let's make sure we're intentional about what we're asking this guy to do, and if it's best for him and best for the program to redshirt, then we’ll redshirt.”
A new rule change that did go into effect recently is regarding the transfer portal.
Beginning this January, there will be just one 14 day transfer window, rather than a winter and spring portal like there has been in years past.
“I was a proponent of getting that transfer portal window to one window,” Freeman said. “I wasn't overly opinionated on when that window was. I know the Big 10 supported the post-spring window and the SEC was really pushing the winter window. I saw the pros and cons of both, but I was a huge proponent of getting it to just one window.”
