The NCAA is shaking things up with a game-changing decision that could redefine the landscape of college sports eligibility. Say goodbye to the traditional four-year limit and hello to the "5-in-5" rule at the Division I level.
This new approach means that eligibility is now age-based, starting when an athlete enrolls in school or hits their 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Redshirts?
They're essentially a thing of the past.
This shift is a game-changer for athletes like Coen Carr at Michigan State, offering him the chance to lace up for a fifth season if he chooses. Carr, who’s gearing up for his true senior season in 2026-27, has dazzled fans with his high-flying dunks, though his jump shot remains a work in progress, as evidenced by his 27.6% shooting from beyond the arc last season.
With this extra year in his back pocket, Carr can breathe a bit easier this season. It's not all-or-nothing for him this year, knowing he could return for the '27-28 season if needed. As Carr himself put it, he's trying to stay present, though the option of a fifth year is undoubtedly at the back of his mind.
Carr posted solid numbers last year, averaging 12.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. If he can bump up his three-point shooting into the mid-30s, that fifth year might not even be necessary. But come April and May of 2027, the choice will be his.
Anton Bonke, another Spartan, also benefits from this rule. Entering his true senior year, Bonke’s journey has been a whirlwind, from junior college at Eastern Arizona to Providence, then Charlotte, and now Michigan State. Both Bonke and Carr are the only scholarship players heading into their senior years, and the possibility looms that the entire roster could return for '27-28, pending NBA Draft and transfer portal decisions.
On the gridiron, star linebacker Jordan Hall is another beneficiary of the "5-in-5" rule. Although redshirting is more common in football, Hall played from the get-go as a true freshman.
With 88 tackles and three forced fumbles last season, Hall could be eyeing the NFL after this year. Yet, this rule opens the door for a potential return to Spartan Stadium.
The transition to "5-in-5" might initially cause some eligibility confusion. Current college athletes can choose between the old or new system, whichever suits them best.
Meanwhile, lawsuits are already in motion from seniors who ran out of eligibility last year. Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper seemed like they might benefit, but the timing of the rule's approval dashed those hopes.
Cooper has signed a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, while Kohler snagged an Exhibit 10 deal with the Utah Jazz, both eyeing the NBA Summer League.
Overall, this rule change is a win for college sports. It simplifies eligibility, preventing older pros from making unexpected college returns and eliminating the need for strategic redshirting.
Coaches can now focus on developing talent without the constraints of the old system. The "5-in-5" rule is poised to make a significant impact, streamlining the path from college to the pros.
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