5 in 5 rule

Lameguy

Freshman
Mar 20, 2026
56
85
18
If this rule gets passed. Do the seniors that it would effect get to transfer or would they have to already enter the portal like Aberdeen did? Would Oweh come back and most importantly could he fit in with this team. I’ve heard some teams are holding onto NIL in case this passes.
 

AllBall

All-American
May 5, 2015
4,785
6,247
93
How retroactive is it? They allow the seniors an additional yr then you know a segment of previous players that only played 4 yrs and didn't play professionally will seek compensation.
 

Lameguy

Freshman
Mar 20, 2026
56
85
18
How retroactive is it? They allow the seniors an additional yr then you know a segment of previous players that only played 4 yrs and didn't play professionally will seek compensation.
I read it was this years seniors. Basically it starts from either graduation or 19 years old whichever comes first. For instance a 21 year old starting college ball wouldn’t get the 5 Years.
 
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peterpiper09

All-Conference
Mar 19, 2006
1,308
2,596
112
If this rule gets passed. Do the seniors that it would effect get to transfer or would they have to already enter the portal like Aberdeen did? Would Oweh come back and most importantly could he fit in with this team. I’ve heard some teams are holding onto NIL in case this passes.
UL and UT sure ain’t holding onto any. LOL
 

Lameguy

Freshman
Mar 20, 2026
56
85
18
Has anyone provided a good reason for doing this at all?
The article I read said it simplifies the whole procedure, the rule at one time was you had 5 years to play 4 years that allowed a redshirt year, then players started asking for exceptions, they granted a few then it got out of control. Ky asked for the exception with Sam Bowie in 1984 but was denied, he had set out 2 years due to medical issues. 5 in 5 is a compromis.
 

paulcalhoun_rivals397471

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2024
1,947
4,730
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The article I read said it simplifies the whole procedure, the rule at one time was you had 5 years to play 4 years that allowed a redshirt year, then players started asking for exceptions, they granted a few then it got out of control. Ky asked for the exception with Sam Bowie in 1984 but was denied, he had set out 2 years due to medical issues. 5 in 5 is a compromis.
I appreciate your effort here and this is no slight to you but I meant an actual good reason. This sounds like a really stupid and pointless thing to be doing as far as I can see.
 

MaysviileKY

Senior
Jul 17, 2025
374
482
63
There would be no more exceptions. Redshirt, medical, Covid, grad year, etc. all don’t matter. You get 5 years period. That’s it. Simplifies number of years. Doesn’t stop transfers or NIL.
 

AllBall

All-American
May 5, 2015
4,785
6,247
93
From what I’ve read the talking heads think it’s going to pass mid May, and go in effect in June. I saw where Pitino would prefer that they pass it but wait till next year, St. John’s is running short on NIL.
He said unless his big donor wins the derby 😆
 

ComplexTon

Sophomore
Apr 12, 2026
72
115
28
The way it’s been proposed doesn’t also allow a new portal period. So Oweh could only play for Kentucky, Braden Smith for Purdue, etc., unless a 5th Year player had put their name in the portal before it just ended. And most did not.
 

paulcalhoun_rivals397471

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2024
1,947
4,730
113
I'm not sure how it would ultimately play out if they were to actually implement this immediately. I'm not sure how those who had exhausted their eligibility would be expected to have known they needed to enter the portal. I'm absolutely opposed to the 5th year of eligibility idea in any event though it does seem imminent.
 
Oct 13, 2025
78
98
18
Going to college for 5 years is very common, maybe as common as graduating in 4. Of course, that's pretending that power sport athletes are anything like the typical student, which of course they are not.
I'm not sure how it would ultimately play out if they were to actually implement this immediately. I'm not sure how those who had exhausted their eligibility would be expected to have known they needed to enter the portal. I'm absolutely opposed to the 5th year of eligibility idea in any event though it does seem imminent.
 

RedwoodHigh

Senior
Nov 18, 2025
720
998
93
The retroactive part of 5 in 5 is the sticky part. What about the kid who just got approved for 6th year.? Or kids still applying like Askew ?
The age & High School graduation dates are to be taken into consideration too.
 
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JwUKFan11

Heisman
Nov 11, 2011
7,501
15,512
113
0% chance they would say every senior that just plays gets another year, but since we decided that after the portal closed, you can only play for the same team you did last year. I mean just use 1% of your brain.
 

paulcalhoun_rivals397471

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2024
1,947
4,730
113
The retroactive part of 5 in 5 is the sticky part. What about the kid who just got approved for 6th year.? Or kids still applying like Askew ?
The age & High School graduation dates are to be taken into consideration too.
It all seems like a huge and unnecessary mess. There was nothing wrong with the 4 in 5 model that worked well for so long imo.
 

AllBall

All-American
May 5, 2015
4,785
6,247
93
The retroactive part of 5 in 5 is the sticky part. What about the kid who just got approved for 6th year.? Or kids still applying like Askew ?
The age & High School graduation dates are to be taken into consideration too.
Exactly what I said. What will be the cutoff? Some older 4 yr players who didn't go pro will look for compensation.
 

ComplexTon

Sophomore
Apr 12, 2026
72
115
28
0% chance they would say every senior that just plays gets another year, but since we decided that after the portal closed, you can only play for the same team you did last year. I mean just use 1% of your brain
There’s nothing predictable about what the NCAA will do. You may well be correct. But it’s definitely not a 0% chance until if/after the rule is finalized.
 
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JonathanW2

Senior
Aug 6, 2025
550
818
93
If this rule gets passed. Do the seniors that it would effect get to transfer or would they have to already enter the portal like Aberdeen did? Would Oweh come back and most importantly could he fit in with this team. I’ve heard some teams are holding onto NIL in case this passes.
I don’t know.
But I would think those who graduated with their undergrad degree and thus would be enrolling into graduate school could change because it’s not a “transfer”.
 

SledDogs

Redshirt
Apr 9, 2024
11
19
3
It will not take effect for the current class. My kid plays a D1 sport now and all that she has been told by her coaches is , even when (not if) approved the current Seniors will not be eligible. So if it was tomorrow the current JR class would be the first to reap the benefits of it.
 
Jul 17, 2025
69
74
18
I'm fine with a 5th year. I'm not sure whose best interest the "in 5" part is in.

I have no problem redshirts, medical exceptions, military duty, mission trips, or even guys needing time for whatever reasons from immaturity, internships, foreign exchange trips, or family sickness and death.

Four or if you like five full seasons in however many years life throws at you is no real skin off my nose.
 

Rick Honcho

All-Conference
Apr 19, 2011
1,456
1,417
103
Doesn’t it make more sense for the rule to simply be 4 for 4? Why drag it out? Work hard to either get your degree or get your pro contact, but you get the traditional four years in which to do it on the university/NCAA/NIL’s dime. 5 for 5 is so Charlie Baker…
 
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HipTer

Senior
Apr 11, 2012
1,049
782
113
I'm still in the 5 years to play 4 camp (maybe I'm one of the few left in it). Not 6 or 7 to play 4 - just 5 years to play 4.