NCAA's new eligibility rule could reshape Notre Dame roster planning

SOUTH BEND, Ind -- The NCAA’s new eligibility model could give some current college athletes an extra season to compete while leaving others without the additional year they expected.

The Division I change moves college sports to a “five years to play five seasons” model, replacing the longstanding system that allowed athletes five calendar years to play four seasons.

For programs like Notre Dame, the shift could change everything from player development to roster construction and NIL spending. Under the previous system, athletes could preserve a season of eligibility by appearing in a limited number of games — commonly known as a redshirt year. The new model would largely eliminate that approach by allowing athletes to compete in all five seasons of their five-year eligibility window.

That could give coaches more freedom to use younger players immediately rather than holding them back to protect a year of eligibility. But the transition is already facing legal challenges.

“There’s already been a lawsuit filed today, so by no means is it going to be easier or clean cut,” said Pete Nakos, a college football insider for On3.

Fifteen men’s and women’s basketball players filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking another year of eligibility. Their argument centers on athletes who completed what was considered their fourth and final season under the previous framework but would have had another year under the new five-season model.

The new rule starts an athlete’s eligibility clock at initial full-time college enrollment or at the beginning of the academic year after the athlete turns 19, whichever comes first. Sitting out a season would still count against that five-year window.

Nakos said the biggest immediate benefit may be for incoming recruits.

“I think the biggest win here, though, is that 2027 recruit that you cover, who now gets to play 12 games immediately when they get to Notre Dame if that’s what Marcus Freeman wants, and they’re not limited to only playing four games,” Nakos said.

That could be especially significant for players who need time to physically develop, adjust to the college game or improve their NFL draft stock before leaving school.

As a result, 19 current Notre Dame football players could now have an additional year of eligibility. That could force the Irish to make difficult decisions about scholarships, roster spots and how they allocate NIL resources in future recruiting classes.

The rule also could have an impact on older international prospects, including players in the Australian punter pipeline, because of the age-based eligibility clock.

Nakos said the NCAA’s move is aimed in part at creating more consistency around the ages of college athletes following years of COVID-19 waivers and eligibility extensions.

“I think this change really tries to bring some equality back to the ages of athletes that play college sports,” Nakos said. “But with everything going on in Congress and stuff, I won’t be surprised if things change again in the years to come.”

For now, the NCAA’s vote marks one of the biggest changes to college eligibility in decades. But with a lawsuit already filed, the final rules and their impact on Notre Dame and other programs, may not be fully settled yet.